Wandering Eyes

Victory for 40-1 shot Anmaat might have seemed unlikely before a rough-and-tumble running of the Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse, and no one could deny that he did it the hard way.View the full article

True North Stable and Bloom Racing Stable's Dresden Row continued his mastery of the all-weather main track at Woodbine with a half-length victory in the $100,530 Ontario Derby (G3) Oct. 19.View the full article

It was the Girl in Gold who came home best of all at Keeneland as Emery (More Than Ready) claimed the GII Lexus Raven Run Stakes for owner Stonestreet Stables. Last seen playing bridesmaid to GISW Ways and Means (Practical Joke) in the GI Test Stakes at Saratoga, where MGSW & GISP My Mane Squeeze (Audible) ran third, Emery had come into that contest riding a three-race win streak which began in June. After claiming victory in the Leslie's Lady Stakes at Churchill Downs and then picking up her first graded victory in the GIII Victory Ride Stakes July 4 in New York, she'd shown the betting public enough to be crowned the 6-5 favorite here despite that loss Aug. 3. Away alertly as Fibber (Frosted) took it upon herself to keep the pace honest through :22.53 and :45.29 opening fractions, Emery was content to stalk that leading bunch from their outside in fourth. Taking command as they turned for home and in clear control as Fibber tried to mount a response, the eye-catching filly was hard to miss as she strode home to a two-length win over My Mane Squeeze, who had been last early after a slow beginning, and flew late to overtake Fibber for that runner-up spot. “I think [getting her to settle off the pace was key], but she could show the way if need be, if there's a lack of pace in the race,” said Brad Cox. “I want to start off by thanking the [owner] Stonestreet [Stables] team — Ms. [Barbara] Banke and her whole team. They're very easy to work for.” “We had to give this filly some time off after her second start, and she's come back and rewarded them in a big way this year. I'm very proud of the filly, and [jockey] Tyler [Gaffalione] did a great job. He put her in a perfect position today and she fired.” Luis Saez, who rode the furiously-closing runner-up My Mane Squeeze, accredited the tough trip to some pre-race antics in the blocks. “It was a tough trip. She was behaving a little mean in the gate, and she didn't break that well. We thought we were going to get [Emery], but the winner was too good; she kept going. It was a good second.” Emery's win in the Raven Run was the fourth for Tyler Gaffalione and Brad Cox individually of the fall meet, but the first they'd won together. Both lead their respective title categories for the Keeneland season through Saturday's results. Watch the full replay as EMERY convincingly wins the @Lexus Raven Run (G2)! pic.twitter.com/Lrm3hAkxJO — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 19, 2024 Pedigree Note: Emery is the second winner from as many to make the races for Athena, but by far her most accomplished. Since this victress, the dam has produced a now 2-year-old named Athena's Secret (American Pharoah) as well as a pair of fillies in the wings–a yearling by Improbable and a 2024 Good Magic. She was not bred for 2025. Athena, a three-time stakes winner in her own right, is herself out of a half-sister to GI Carter Handicap hero Peeping Tome, who visited the winner's enclosure on 14 occasions in addition to being multiple Grade I-placed in his career. This is the extended female family of multimillionaire Sun King, the multiple graded winning half-siblings Hurricane Bertie and Allamerican Bertie as well as course record-setter MSW West Ocean via her dam, MGSW Ocean Drive. Saturday, Keeneland LEXUS RAVEN RUN S.-GII, $340,000, Keeneland, 10-19, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:23.21, ft. 1–EMERY, 118, f, 3, by More Than Ready 1st Dam: Athena (MSW, $459,222), by Street Sense 2nd Dam: Race Rocks (Ire), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) 3rd Dam: Artful Pleasure, by Nasty and Bold ($235,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV). O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Mary K. Grum (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $203,438. Lifetime Record: GISP, 7-5-1-0, $655,986. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–My Mane Squeeze, 120, f, 3, Audible–In Spite of Mama, by Speightstown. O-William J. Butler and WinStar Farm LLC; B-William Butler (NY); T-Michael J. Maker. $56,250. 3–Fibber, 118, f, 3, Frosted–Devious Intent, by Dixie Union. ($55,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Flatland Racing Stable; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Chris A. Hartman. $32,813. Margins: 2, 2HF, HD. Odds: 1.25, 3.42, 8.70. Also Ran: V V's Dream, Mink's Palace, Miuccia, Haulin Ice, Riperton, Twirling Queen, Uno Le. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Emery Confirms Class in Raven Run appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rated by Merit started Vinnie Viola's Saturday on a winning note at Gulfstream Park with a 3 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Affirmed Stakes Oct. 19.View the full article

Darwin trainer Chris Nash and visiting Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc are all smiles after Mr Have A Chat saluted at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) Runner up in his past three starts, Chris Nash’s Mr Have A Chat returned to the winner’s circle at Darwin on Saturday. I’m All The Talk’s seven-year-old gelding, starting at $4.20 with online bookmakers, prevailed in a six-horse field over 1200m at 0-70 level. Gary Clarke’s stablemates Pharoah Magic and Change Is Coming saluted last start after leading throughout – they were expected to adopt similar tactics. With Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc claiming 3kg, Mr Have A Chat lumped 57kg and was capable of challenging his more-fancied rivals. Mr Have A Chat pinged the gates, but after jumping slowly, Change Is Coming made ground along the fence to lead after 200m. Change Is Coming held sway over Mr Have A Chat turning for home – it was clear they would fight it out as Pharoah Magic was well adrift. A feisty battle ensued before Mr Have A Chat edged clear to sink Change Is Coming by 1.5 lengths, with Jason Manning’s Sabor motoring home for third. Aaron Sweeney celebrated a winning treble a fortnight ago, and his good form continued aboard Ella Clarke’s tyle And Grace and Phil Cole’s Rebellious Hope. Style And Grace shared the early lead with stablemate Debating before overcoming Gary Clarke’s Captain George and Patrick Johnston’s Ankle Rolex by 1.7 lengths over 1300m at 0-64 level. Rebellious Hope, making its NT debut in Class 2, finished strongly to swamp Nash’s Faithful Champion, also debuting in the Top End, and Tom Logan’s Polarising over 1000m by half a length. Logan’s Canada Bay, ridden by wife Sonja, returned from a spell, but the mare got to an early lead before posting a narrow win over Gary Clarke’s fast-finishing Starspangledancer over 1100m – Cole’s Tricky Mikki was third. Gary Clarke’s Extreme Emotion, partnered by Jarrod Todd, outclassed his 0-58 rivals over 1600m when he too led all the way toppling Tayarn Halter’s I’m A Dreamer and Dick Leech’s Miracoli by 2.6 lengths. Horse racing news
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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 Dubawi (Ire) half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner and sire The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus]). 1.23 Parislongchamp, Debutantes, €50,000, 2yo, c/g, 9fT AZIMPOUR (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) bids to provide some post-Champions Day cheer for The Aga Khan and Francis-Henri Graffard and holds considerable potential as a half-brother to Redoute's Choice's multiple group 1-winning sire The Autumn Sun (Aus) and last week's Listed Garnet Stakes winner Azada (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). Boasting the Dubawi-Galileo cross, he meets six rivals here. The post Dubawi Half To The Autumn Sun Debuts At ParisLongchamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pulled up in last year's running after running second in 2021 and sixth in 2022, Snap Decision would not be denied a fourth time, battling home in a driving finish to finally land the elusive American Grand National Stakes (NSA-1) at Far Hills.View the full article

Stonestreet Stables' Emery continued to prove herself as one of the nation's top female sprinters as the year draws to a close. She picked up her fourth win in five starts this season with an eye-catching score in the $340,000 Raven Run Stakes (G2).View the full article

From high to low and then back to a high, Luan Machado and Brunacini (Dortmund) sprung a 28-1 shocker over Book'em Danno (Bucchero) Saturday afternoon at Keeneland in the GIII Perryville Stakes. Brunacini came into the race as an also-eligible with two starts to his name. The chestnut son of Dortmund was a first-out winner July 28 at Ellis Park, but faded to fifth late in the lane Sept. 19 at Churchill Downs when attempting to take a first-level allowance field gate-to-wire. The Matthew Sims-trainee was also making his stakes debut here, but had shown some encouraging signs in his work tab as three of his last six efforts at this venue were bullets. Still, when the betting public compared the field to 3-5 favorite Grade I-winning Book'em Danno, they understandably leaned in the latter's favor. Breaking outwardly and forced five wide as the leaders put up :22.01 and :44.75 opening fractions, he tracked the front trio from the outside and had ranged into contention through the far bend. Looming a clear danger as the running began turning for home, he took a narrow advantage as the pacesetters threw out white flags leaving the furlong grounds. Called on to stay the course, Brunacini held firm as Book'em Danno was making his customary late charge from the inside path, but ultimately came a neck short of catching the long shot. Epic Ride (Blame), who was part of that lead trio, and a fast-closing 'TDN Rising Star' Knightsbridge (Nyquist) ended up deadheating for third. “[Brunacini] broke super sharp. I tried to get him over on the backside but couldn't make it,” said Machado. “He was taking me around there. I thought I'd just stay [outside] and try to give him at least a clear shot to make his run, and he did.” “[The win] means a lot to me and to the whole connections [breeder and owner Emilie Fojan and trainer Matt Sims]. I'm not surprised; he's a very nice horse. I got the opportunity to breeze him a couple times in the morning and last week he did an unbelievable work, super comfortable. I even joked to the guys in the room, 'I don't think he can be worse than third here.'” Machado added, “I was super happy for everybody. They did such a great job with this horse. He's not an easy [one] to train. He's so big; he thinks he's a dinosaur. He's very hard to gallop, super tough. So congratulations to the whole team.” Watch the full replay as BRUNACINI hangs on to win the Perryville (G3) in an exciting finish, paying $58.16 to win! pic.twitter.com/pAAhcHS0yR — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 19, 2024 Pedigree Note: Brunacini is the most accomplished runner for his dam, and does have a winning full-sister named Chanisa. Their 2-year-old half-brother Blaihaan (Midshipman) was exported to Saudi Arabia last year, and thus far doesn't have any races on record. Our Conquistadora's last registered offspring is a yearling filly by Mo Town. She visited Mage for 2025. Saturday, Keeneland PERRYVILLE S.-GIII, $259,000, Keeneland, 10-19, 3yo, 7f, 1:22.80, ft. 1–BRUNACINI, 118, c, 3, by Dortmund 1st Dam: Our Conquistadora, by Wilburn 2nd Dam: Spree, by Conquistador Cielo 3rd Dam: Itstimetocelebrate, by Timeless Native 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Emilie Gerlinde Fojan (KY); T-Matthew P. Sims; J-Luan Machado. $147,250. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $191,270. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Book'em Danno, 123, g, 3, Bucchero–Adorabella, by Ghostzapper. O-Atlantic Six Racing, LLC; B-Gregory J Kilka & Bright View Farm (NJ); T-Derek S. Ryan. $47,500. (DH) 3–Epic Ride, 118, c, 3, Blame–Pick a Time, by Gio Ponti. ($160,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Welch Racing LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich (KY); T-John Ennis. $21,375. (DH) 3–Knightsbridge, 118, c, 3, Nyquist–Tyburn Brook, by Bernardini. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-William I. Mott. $21,375. Margins: NK, 3/4, 1 3/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 28.08, 0.71, 15.90, 2.01. Also Ran: Love Me Tender, Patriot Spirit, Banjo Chris, Henro, Goodlookinjustice. Scratched: Dilger (Ire), Locked, Save the Trees, West Saratoga, Who Dey. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Brunacini Springs the Upset in Perryville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tears, cheers, and every emotion in between was on full display in the Keeneland winner's circle Oct. 19 as Brunacini, a 28-1 longshot, pulled off a shocker in a deep edition of the $259,000 Perryville Stakes (G3).View the full article

Edited Press Release With the Del Mar Breeders' Cup officially less than two weeks away, trainer Chad Brown is continuing to oversee his string's preparations at Belmont Park, while the accomplished MGISW Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) puts in her final works for conditioner Ken McPeek upstate at Saratoga. Over the training surface in Elmont, Brown sent out two juveniles for half-mile works in 'TDN Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) [48.01] and Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) [48.63], who are targeting the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, respectively. Zulu Kingdom prepped in company with older GSW Running Bee (English Channel). “A little quick, but did it easy in a solo breeze,” said Brown of the Chancer McPatrick workout. “He acts a year older than he is really in everything he does–both in the morning and in the afternoon. He'll need some pace in front of him with his running style, but he's certainly training well.” Also making an appearance on Saturday was dual graded stakes-winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who posted a half-mile work for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. The colt hit the dirt training track shortly after reopening from a renovation break at 9:30 a.m. ET and breezed solo in 49.25 over the fast track. It was his third work at Belmont since moving south from Saratoga Race Course about three weeks ago. “It went super. He worked a half-mile and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 and 1. It was extremely impressive,” Brown said. “The horse has been training really well and I'm really excited about him going into the Breeders' Cup.” Brown said he is hopeful a winning result could put Sierra Leone in the mix for Eclipse Award honors as Champion 3-Year-Old as he takes on GI DK Travers Stakes winner Fierceness (City of Light) for the third straight race. “I think Fierceness is clearly the leader of the division and it's well earned,” Brown said. “I know some of these horses have taken turns beating each other but he has had a spectacular summer in my opinion and he's not only the one to beat in the Classic, but also the leader of the division right now. But if Sierra Leone was to break through and take down a race like the Breeders' Cup Classic facing mostly older horses, I think he'd be in serious consideration given his consistency.” Domestic Product | Sarah Andrew The New York-based conditioner also sent out Domestic Product as he readies to make his final career start in the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile before retiring to stud alongside his sire Practical Joke at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky. The dark bay colt, a Kentucky homebred for Klaravich Stables, covered a half-mile solo in 48.42 in an earlier set before Sierra Leone. “Outstanding–more of the same from him. Very consistent,” said Brown, who indicated Domestic Product would also be pre-entered in the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint. “He's gotten stronger and faster as the year has gone on and I'm really looking forward to his race.” On the filly side, Alpha Delta Stables's GISW Raging Sea (Curlin), with Flavien Prat up, breezed a half-mile in company with their recent GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes runner-up Occult (Into Mischief), the pair covering the distance in 49.46. “She [Raging Sea] was traveling well,” Prat said. “It was a pretty standard work and she went good. She's happy and moving well.” The 4-year-old filly will enter the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff off three straight graded wins. One of the top female sprinters, Ways and Means, also breezed Saturday, covering four furlongs in 48.21 in company with sophomore filly Pretty Ana (Quality Road). The daughter of Practical Joke notched her first top-level score in the GI Test Stakes at the Spa back in August. “She was the only one last week I thought got a little lost in her work switching to the training track after primarily being based in Saratoga all year,” Brown said. “Today, I gave her a workmate and she worked dynamite. A little bit of focus for her and she was all business.” Last but not least on the tab for Brown at Belmont was GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile hopeful MGISW Gina Romantica (Into Mischief), who went a solo half-mile in 49.51 and GI John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf contender and 'TDN Rising Star' Virgin Colada (More Than Ready), who breezed a half-mile in 49.42 in company with MGSW Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}). Grizzly Bear Tracks In Saratoga Thorpedo Anna breezed five furlongs in 1:00.40 Saturday on the Oklahoma dirt training track at Saratoga Race Course. Affectionately dubbed the “Grizzly Bear” earlier this season by her trainer Ken McPeek, the filly posted the sharp work in company with MSP Denington (Gun Runner) [1:01.50], who she started behind but was well in front of during the gallop-out. The dark bay has been working weekly en route to the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Thorpedo Anna at the Spa | Sarah Andrew “It was a fantastic work, actually,” said McPeek, adding that she will work again before heading west. “She is going to work next weekend.” McPeek added that Thorpedo Anna met the objectives of the move under regular exercise rider Danny Ramsey, who TDN's Steve Sherack spoke with last week after the filly worked at the Spa. “Just sit off Denington, be patient, and range up to him, and finish down the lane,” said McPeek. “He is a nice horse in his own right. He is stakes-placed and has made quite a bit of money, but she is hitting on all cylinders.” Thorpedo Anna will likely be a short price in the Distaff along with reigning Champion Older Dirt Mare Idiomatic (Curlin), who worked a half-mile in 49.80 seconds for trainer Brad Cox on Friday at Churchill Downs. “I don't worry about the horses that I don't train,” McPeek said. The post Breeders’ Cup Prep For Brown Trainees At Belmont While Thorpedo Drills Upstate For McPeek appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rated by Merit, yet to be headed in two prior starts including a last-out win in the Florida Sire Series Dr. Fager Stakes Sept. 7, stepped up to seven furlongs Saturday and kept his perfect record in tact with yet another gate-to-wire victory in the Affirmed Stakes at Gulfstream. Bet down to 1-5 off two wins by more than 10 combined lengths, the favorite again jumped to the lead but took pressure from Neoequos through the half in :45.45. Finally turning that rival away off the turn, Rated by Merit got some breathing room and opened up to the line, coming home a clear winner. “The race went as we expected,” said winning rider Jesus Rios. “I thought we would be on the lead and [Neoequos] would be pressing us. I am very impressed with the horse. I trust him a lot. When I asked the horse to run, I know he is going to respond.” Vinnie Viola, winning owner added: “I just want to thank Bo (Michael Yates). He's done a phenomenal job with the horse. He's really balanced, and it looks like he could be something, so it's exciting.” Banner Waving has returned to Battalion Runner twice since producing Rated by Merit but has failed to produce another live foal since 2022. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #2 RATED BY MERIT ($2.40) goes gate-to-wire to win the $200,000 Affirmed Stakes at Gulfstream Park and is now a perfect 3 for 3 in his young career. Jesus Rios was in the irons for Michael Yates. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/VMEJEYffDM — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 19, 2024 FTBOA FLORIDA SIRE AFFIRMED S., $200,000, Gulfstream, 10-19, (C), 2yo, c/g, 7f, 1:22.55, ft. 1–RATED BY MERIT, 121, c, 2, by Battalion Runner 1st Dam: Banner Waving, by Speightstown 2nd Dam: Freedom Flag, by Dixie Union 3rd Dam: Runup the Colors, by A.P. Indy O/B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (FL); T-Michael Yates; J-Jesus M. Rios. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $220,000. 2–Neoequos, 121, c, 2, Neolithic–Bold Birdie, by Birdstone. ($22,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT). O-Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, LLC and Stefania Farms, LLC; B-Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon & Matalona Thoroughbres, LLC (FL); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $40,000. 3–Classic of Course, 121, c, 2, Awesome of Course–Alma Mater, by Honor Code. O-Amy E. Dunne and Patrick L. Biancone; B-Amy E. Dunne & Ciaran G. Dunne (FL); T-Patrick L. Biancone. $22,000. Margins: 3 3/4, 7 1/4, NK. Odds: 0.20, 5.30, 11.70. Also Ran: Big Paradise, Lou, Zizka. The post Rated By Merit Stays Perfect In FTBOA’s Affirmed Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The latest development in Jonathan Wong's ongoing case stemming from a June 2023 metformin positive saw him file a complaint against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority in the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division. Wong is currently serving a two-year ban under HISA. In the complaint filed Tuesday, Wong asserts the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) had threatened the immigration status of one of his intended witnesses before a prior arbitration hearing-something the agency denies doing. Wong also targets HISA's constitutionality in the complaint, his arguments overlapping those that frame the plaintiffs' case against HISA that has made its way up through the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, one now almost certain to be heard by the Supreme Court. Wong claims HISA's rules are unconstitutional because HISA's delegation of federal regulatory power to the Authority “violates the private nondelegation doctrine,” and that HISA's rules violate the Seventh Amendment's right to a jury trial. “The Court should declare HISA and the HISA Rules to be unconstitutional, preliminarily and permanently enjoin Defendants from enforcing HISA and the HISA Rules against Wong, and vacate the final decision and civil sanctions imposed against Wong,” the complaint states. The legal journey to this point has already been a winding one, and involves a commonly-prescribed human diabetes drug that appears to be playing an out-sized role in the federal organization's anti-doping crusade. The Wong-trainee Heaven and Earth (Gormley) broke her maiden at Indiana Grand on June 1 but subsequently tested positive for metformin. As a matter of protocol at that time, HIWU initially provisionally suspended Wong at the beginning of June when the A sample returned a positive finding for Metformin. The HISA Authority subsequently announced that it had modified the rules surrounding provisional suspensions. Under the revised provisions, responsible parties who request B Sample confirmation following a positive test for a banned substance would no longer face a provisional suspension until the B sample findings are returned. In Wong's case, he was notified on Aug. 9 that the B Sample confirmed the Metformin positive. Though Wong was technically permitted to return to training for a brief period while the B sample was being processed, he explained at the time that his owners did not wish to transfer the horses back with the B Sample results expected imminently, and effectively has not trained in jurisdictions under HISA's purview since July 2. Wong can, however, start horses in those jurisdictions currently operating outside of HISA's jurisdiction. His stable is currently based at Delta Downs in Louisiana. Earlier this year, a HISA arbitration panel imposed on Wong the maximum possible sentence for such a violation-a two-year ban and $25,000 fine. The two-year period of ineligibility retroactively started July 1, 2023, when Wong's initial provisional suspension was first imposed. In April, an FTC chief administrative law judge affirmed that ruling. Wong's request for the FTC to review that decision was denied, setting the case up for adjudication in federal court. The complaint includes an allegation hitherto absent in prior filings. Wong claims that Luis Gerardo Hernandez Perez, a former groom who was prescribed metformin, had physical contact with Heaven and Earth on the day of the subject race. Wong adds that he had intended to submit a witness statement from Perez into the arbitration panel hearing, but was prevented from doing so as HIWU had threatened Perez's immigration status. “According to his sworn statement, Perez cared for the Horse for the seven months leading up to the day of the subject. Perez was prescribed Metformin. He stated he routinely urinated in the Horse's stall, regularly failing to wash his hands prior to having physical contact with the Horse,” the statement “Wong intended for Perez to testify in person at the arbitration hearing. But in its opposition to Perez's sworn statement, HIWU threatened Perez's immigration status. HIWU argued that if Perez's statement were allowed to be filed, Perez should be required to testify in person, be accompanied by a court-certified Spanish-English interpreter, and be required to provide a passport and the visa under which he worked for Wong-none of which HIWU demanded for any other witness,” the complaint states. The complaint also lists six causes of action. They include an assertion that the final decision be vacated as it is “unlawful, arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law,” due to question marks over the chain of custody of blood and urine samples sent from the Industrial Laboratories to the University of Illinois (UIC) at Chicago Analytical Forensic Toxicology Laboratory. Wong claims that Industrial shipped the B Sample of urine to the University of Illinois on July 10, 2023, for example, but that “UIC's records show discrepancies, with one record stating the B Sample was received on July 11, 2023, and another on July 26, 2023.” Wong further claims that on July 18, 2023, Industrial shipped the B Sample of blood to UIC. “UIC acknowledged receiving the B Sample of blood on July 19, 2023, but it did not check in the B Sample of blood until a week later-on July 26, 2023,” the complaint states. “UIC did not provide any shipping tracking information for its receipt of the B Samples of urine or blood.” The TDN asked HISA and HIWU for comment on the allegations detailed in the complaint. A HIWU spokesperson wrote that the agency “did not threaten the immigration status of any witness” during the Wong proceedings. “HIWU is carefully evaluating all the allegations, as the arbitrator found that Mr. Wong had not testified truthfully during the hearing,” the HIWU spokesperson wrote. Indeed, in her original ruling arbitrator Nancy Holtz had questioned the veracity of Wong's claims, arguing that he had been “untruthful” during the hearing proceedings. “I find that Mr. Wong has not met his threshold burden of establishing the source of the contamination and thus there is no mitigation that might possibly be considered for Wong, and his sanction should be two years of Ineligibility,” wrote Holtz in her finding. Holz also added that while Wong is “no doubt a decent person who, in his own way, has tried to put the safety and welfare of his horses first,” he had failed to take the necessary steps to prevent the possibility of environmental contamination occurring. “If Mr. Wong was engaged in routine, frequent trainings of his staff regarding not urinating in the stalls, keeping hands clean and so on-which I do not believe-he certainly did not couple this with any level of monitoring, enforcement, or deterrence such as through imposing consequences for violators,” Holz wrote. Wong's complaint filed this past Tuesday includes several requests for relief, including awarding Wong “all nominal, compensatory, and other damages to which he may be entitled,” and that the federal court grant “a jury trial on all issues so triable.” When asked for comment, the trainer's long-time owner Brent Malmstrom, who has bankrolled much of this legal fight, wrote that “the complaint speaks for itself.” The post Wong Files Federal Complaint Against HISA and FTC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Works by top 3-year-old filly Thorpedo Anna and multiple graded stakes winner Sierra Leone led a contingent of New York-based Breeders' Cup hopefuls Oct. 19 at Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park.View the full article

After a two-year hiatus which included a television stint for NYRA and FOX, Rajiv Maragh is set to get back into race riding Sunday at Gulfstream Park with two mounts on a 10-race program, the track announced via presser Saturday. The winner of 1939 races is named on Gabagool (Ransom the Moon) in race five and Supers Lucky Lady (Superestrella) in race 10, and himself admits that the 2,000-win milestone was a motivating factor in his return along with the birth of his second child, daughter Lilah, who made her grand entrance Friday, Oct. 18. “It's no secret that I've been away from the races a couple of years, extending myself outside our industry and into other businesses. I ended up on TV for NYRA and FOX, and I really enjoyed myself,” Maragh said. “The thing about it is, racing with a young family and traveling have become a bit impractical. I've been doing a lot of traveling over the last couple years. I haven't been able to be home a lot of nights. With Lilah on the horizon, when I was at Saratoga, my wife and I tried to take a realistic view of what we want in life. The No. 1 thing is we want to come home together as a family. Our main residence is here in South Florida, and that's how riding came back on the table.” Maragh, who says he never 'fully retired' and has been getting on horses for the past three weeks in preparation for his return, also added, “Two and a half years and not being on horses, it takes a while to get back into the full swing of it. I want to gradually work my way into it, so that when we hit next month in November [the upcoming Championship Meet at Gulfstream], I'm in full swing.” The post Rajiv Maragh Returns to Saddle Sunday at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm's grade 1 winner Locked made a victorious return to the races in the opener at Aqueduct Racetrack Oct. 19, besting elders in a seven-furlong allowance optional claimer by 7 1/2 lengths.View the full article

Sea The Moon (Ger) yearling fillies stole the show during the two-day BBAG October Mixed Sale on Friday and Saturday. Topped the overall sale was a daughter of Wonderful Filly (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) (lot 118), who was offered by Gestut Gorlsdorf. She sold for €98,000 to Renello Bloodstock Agency during the Friday session. The March foal is a full-sister to German champion and multiple group winner Wonderful Moon (Ger), and a half-sister to Wonderful Gorl (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), who was stakes placed and has already produced the Group 3 winner Wonderful Boy (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}). Sea The Moon was also the sire of record of Quemoona (GB) (lot 96), another yearling filly consigned by Gorlsdorf. The full-sister to multiple group winner and multiple Group 1-placed Quest The Moon (Ger) and listed hurdle winner Medyaf (GB), is from the same family as G2 Prix de l'Opera heroine Bella Colora (GB) (Bellypha {Ire}). She caught the eye of A. J. Albrecht to the tune of €75,000, while Gorlsdorf draft member Moona (GB), also by the sire, was knocked down to Thomas Jander for €67,000. The latter is a half-sister to G2 Diana Trial heroine Meergorl (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). Leading the way on Saturday was a yearling colt by Protectionist (Ger) (lot 137), who sold for €67,000 to Wilhelm Feldmann from the draft of OH Consignment. He is a half-brother to a pair of stakes horses including Namhroodah (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), third in the G3 Oak Tree Stakes, At the close of two days' trade, 205 lots sold of 296 offered (70%) for a gross of €2,179,500. The average was €10,630. The post Sea The Moon Fillies Star At BBAG October Mixed Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Philip D'Amato sent out a quintet Saturday morning at Santa Anita Park, with three confirmed as pre-entries for the Breeders' Cup after their works, on a busy morning for World Championship hopefuls across the country. From his three confirmed, GSW Iron Man Cal (Collected) worked four furlongs in :49 flat, and will be pre-entered for the Juvenile Turf. GSW Thought Process (Collected) also went four panels in :49.80 and will target the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Argentinian Group 1-winner Che Evasora (Arg) (Greenspring) worked six furlongs in 1:15.80, and owns an automatic berth into the Distaff after winning the G1 Criadores Stakes in May in her home country. The two which are still undecided are GSW One Magic Philly (Good Magic), going four furlongs in :49.60, and SW & GISP Vodka With a Twist (Thousand Words), who clocked six furlongs in 1:15.20. “I still need to discuss it with the owners,” D'Amato said of the Breeders' Cup plans for One Magic Philly and Vodka With a Twist. On the synthetic training track, MGSW Goliad (War Front) put in six furlongs in 1:11.60 for Richard Mandella. He was last seen at Kentucky Downs winning two races in seven days, including the GIII Mint Millions Stakes, and is a candidate for the Mile. John Sadler sent out MGSW & GISP Kirstenbosch (Midnight Lute) and SP Supa Speed (Justify) with the former a candidate for the Filly & Mare Sprint. She clocked four furlongs in :48.40 and will look to redeem her fifth-place effort in last year's running at Santa Anita. Supa Speed worked five panels in 1:01.40 and the Louisiana-bred will target the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Breeders' Cup Sprint hopefuls GSW Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief), MGISW The Chosen Vron (Vronsky), and MGSW Straight No Chaser (Speightster) went to the track for their respective trainers. From the O'Neill camp, Raging Torrent fired a bullet five furlongs from the gate in :59 flat. Fan-favorite California-bred The Chosen Vron worked four furlongs in :48.80 for Eric Kruljac, and Straight No Chaser went five panels in 1:00.40 for Dan Blacker. Other hopefuls sighted Saturday morning working five furlongs include GISW Johannes (Nyquist) in 1:01.60 with a target on the Mile; GSW & GISP Getaway Car (Curlin) in 1:00.20 while targeting the Juvenile; MGISW Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) in 1:01.60 while on track for the Filly & Mare Turf; GSW Dr. Venkman (Ghostzapper) in 1:03.80 and a possible for the Dirt Mile or the Sprint; GISW There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge) in 1:01.40 with eyes on the Turf; and Argentinian Group 1-winner El Encinal (Arg) (Il Campione {Chi}) who went three furlongs in :38.80 and who also is targeting the Turf. Pre-entries must be made for the Breeders' Cup by Monday, Oct. 21 at 12 p.m. PT with pre-entry fields being announced on Wednesday starting at 9:00 a.m. PT. The post Busy Morning at Santa Anita As Breeders’ Cup Hopefuls Lead Work Tab 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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With the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar now just two weeks out, a slew of prospects worked Oct. 19 at Santa Anita Park including five for trainer Phil D'Amato.View the full article

Goliath makes his return to action in the Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2) at Longchamp Oct. 20, almost three months after sweeping to a wildly impressive victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse.View the full article

Victory for 40-1 shot Anmaat might have seemed unlikely before a rough-and-tumble running of the Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse, and no one could deny that he did it the hard way.View the full article

In what proved to be an unforgettable day for Ciaron Maher Oct. 19, the trainer scored his second Caulfield Cup (G1) victory and first Everest (G1) win, in his first year with runners in the newly anointed group 1. View the full article

Multiple Grade I-placed 'TDN Rising Star' Ferocious (Flatter) was out on track at 7:30 a.m. at Keeneland following the first harrow period and had Javier Castellano in the irons for the morning session as he continued preps for his scheduled start in the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Castellano had spent nearly two months on the sidelines with a fractured hand, but made a trip from New York to Lexington specifically for the half-mile work. In the first move since Ferocious finished second in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, the pair went in :49.20 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:02.40 and six in 1:15.20. “He was really good this morning,” Castellano said. “We didn't want a bullet work or anything like that. He did it the right way and had a big gallop out.” Trainer Gustavo Delgado shared the sentiments, adding that the horse would work again next Saturday, and then ship to Del Mar the following Monday, Oct. 28. Castellano would have the mount on the colt, despite missing the two Grade I starts due to his hand injury, after being aboard for his debut victory. He is set to resume riding Thursday at Aqueduct. Cherie DeVaux and Ignacio Correas IV, too, had Breeders' Cup prospects out on the main track Saturday morning. Working in pairs, the former sent out GISW Vahva (Gun Runner) and MGSP Cagliostro (Upstart) together for a five-furlong work in :59.80; GSW & MGISP Pyrenees (Into Mischief) and SW & GSP Stage Raider (Pioneerof the Nile) for a half-mile in :47.20; and GSW & MGISP More Than Looks (More Than Ready) went a half-mile solo in :47.60. Vahva is pointing toward the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint; Cagliostro for the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile; Pyrenees for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic; and More Than Looks to the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile. For the Correas camp, multiple Group/Grade I winner Didia (Arg) (Orpen) went six furlongs in 1:15.40 while multiple Group/Graded winner Mufasa (Chi) (Practical Joke) worked a half-mile in :48.60. Didia will look to improve on her 10th last year in the GI Maker's Mark Filly and Mare Turf while the latter is aiming for the Dirt Mile despite qualifying with an automatic entry for the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint by way of his GIII Vosburgh Stakes triumph. A Chad Brown duo was also seen on the turf course Saturday morning as 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and GISW Chili Flag (Fr) (Cityscape {GB}) went a half-mile on ground labeled good in :50.40 and :50.60, respectively. The former has a 'WAYI' entry for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. Brad Cox's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf prospect GSP Destino d'Oro (Bolt d'Oro) went a solo half-mile on the turf in :51.60. Europeans On The Lawn A perennial staple in the World Championships, the European turf horses were out on the Keeneland grass as Charlie Appleby sent out six runners, including three with Breeders' Cup aspirations, for half-mile works. Fille and Mare Turf possibles GISW Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) and GSW Beautiful Love (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) went in :49.60 and :52 flat, respectively. The former went in company with SP Star Guest (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) while the latter with Musical Act (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). His Juvenile Turf hopeful GISP Al Qudra (Ire) (No Nay Never) went in step with GSP Cavallo Bay (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) in :52.80. The post Breeders’ Cup Hopefuls On Track Saturday at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article