Wandering Eyes

Chad Schofield will be bidding for his share of the family bragging rights when he attempts to join his father Glyn on the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) honour roll. Schofield has picked up the mount on $6 equal favourite Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) and regards the Joe Pride-trained gelding as his best chance yet to emulate the feat of his jockey father, who won the 2013 renewal on Boban (Bernardini). “That would be nice and it’s definitely the best ride in the Epsom that I’ve had,” Schofield said. “My first ride on him will be Saturday, but that’s nothing rare, it happens all the time. “I have been watching the horse for a number of preps now. He is a top-class horse and I feel like he’s a horse that keeps getting better. I also feel like he’s had a great Epsom prep.” Runner-up in both the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Gr.1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) in the autumn, Pride did contemplate pursuing a Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m) path with Ceolwulf. However, after two sharp performances at his return runs, including a strong 1500m win at Rosehill in August and an equally impressive second to rising star Eliyass (Le Havre) in the Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) last start, Pride opted to go to the feature spring mile. Ceolwulf came up with barrier 14 at Tuesday’s draw, a gate Schofield said would give him flexibility. “I loved his run the other day, he showed terrific acceleration,” Schofield said. “I quite like the drop back in trip into the Epsom and the draw gives us a few options. We’re not going to be hammered away on the rail, which is good. “With 54 (kilos) on his back and the type of acceleration he has, he is a major winning chance.” If Schofield can claim the feature on Ceolwulf, it will continue a successful partnership between the Pride stable and the Schofield clan. Glyn Schofield was the regular rider of Pride’s Ball Of Muscle (Dubawi), winning a host of stakes races on the smart sprinter between 2014-19, and also collecting the 2014 Gr.2 Warwick (1400m) (now Winx Stakes, (Gr.1, 1400m)) Stakes on Tiger Tees (NZ) (Dubawi). Pride has every bit as much confidence in Chad Schofield and believes he will be a good fit for Ceolwulf. “I’ve got a lot of faith in Chad. He’s a great rider and I think he will suit the horse,” Pride said. “You can see looking at Ceolwulf’s ratings last preparation he just gets better as the prep goes on, and I think the timing is perfect for him. He is ready to go on Saturday.” View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is excited to announce that leading thoroughbred nursery, Waikato Stud, has secured a coveted slot in the NZB Kiwi (1500m). As a powerhouse in New Zealand’s breeding and racing industry, Waikato Stud is no stranger to success both on and off the track. With the addition of a slot in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, they are looking to expand their already impressive portfolio of achievements. “It’s such an exciting time for the New Zealand thoroughbred racing industry as a whole and we are very excited to now be involved with the NZB Kiwi,” Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick said. “We love breeding the best racehorses that we can, but we especially love racing a good horse, and with the opportunities that are now presented in New Zealand, it’s fantastic having those horses in our backyard. “Having been involved with The Everest (A$20 million, 1200m) through I Wish I Win and Entain, I can say that those of us who are now part of the NZB Kiwi are in for a hell of a lot of fun. “Both Champions Day and the NZB Kiwi elevate us to the level of any major international race day and it’s exciting to be a part of that.” NZTR chairman Russell Warwick welcomed Waikato Stud into the NZB Kiwi ranks. “We are thrilled that an elite operation like Waikato Stud has joined our outstanding group of NZB Kiwi foundation slot holders,” Warwick said. “They have an exceptional track record in breeding and racing top-quality horses and it’s been exciting to watch their journey in The Everest with I Wish I Win proudly representing New Zealand on the world stage. “We also have NZTR’s one-year slot going to auction at the Ready to Run Sale later this year which we see as a great opportunity for anyone with an up-and-coming three-year-old. “We’re eager to bring all of our slot holders together as we build towards the NZB Kiwi, aiming to make it the premier event on New Zealand’s racing and sports calendar.” This announcement follows NZTR’s initial release of the public auction for its year-one slot, set to take place during New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale. The one-year slot will be auctioned on Wednesday 20 November, following the conclusion of selling on Day 1 of the Sale. For more information contact emma.thompson@nztr.co.nz. The NZB Kiwi is one of the major highlights of the newly established ‘Champions Day’, featuring more than $9 million in total prizemoney. Held on the 8 March at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Ellerslie Racecourse, Champions Day will also include the Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) and four other iconic Group One races, positioning the meeting as a pinnacle event on New Zealand’s racing calendar. Tune in for all the latest updates and announcements regarding the 2025 edition of the NZB Kiwi here. View the full article

Race 8 SKYCITY HORIZON 1500m CAST OF DIAMONDS (M Cartwright) – Trainer Mr. T Pike reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of CAST OF DIAMONDS. T Pike further advised he will continue with the gelding’s current preparation and may look to nominate CAST OF DIAMONDS at the Waikato TR meeting on Saturday 12 October. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Ellerslie, Saturday 21 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The Melbourne Spring Racing action kicks off in earnest on Saturday with Flemington host to a highly anticipated edition of the Group 1 $750,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). A top field of potential Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup contenders faces off in what promises to be a thrilling edition of the set weights plus penalties showdown […] The post 2024 Turnbull Stakes Field & Betting Update: Buckaroo Top Pick for Waller appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Truth Or Dare will contest the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Scott Barbour (Racing Photos) Truth Or Dare’s performance in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday is set to give Te Akau Racing an indication of whether they have a Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) contender on their hands. The Vanbrugh gelding was a $120,000 purchase by David Ellis from the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. His only two-year-old start produced a fourth placing in a 1200m race at Otaki in April, and he kicked off his three-year-old season with an eye-catching third behind Suit Yourself over 1200m at Te Rapa in August. The Te Akau team saw enough in those performances to send Truth Or Dare across the Tasman to their Cranbourne stable, and that Australian mission got off to a perfect start when the chestnut won impressively over 1600m on September 19. “There really was a lot of merit in that performance at Cranbourne,” trainer Mark Walker said. “He’d travelled across to Australia and was jumping straight from 1200 to the mile, but he handled everything we threw at him and won very well. “With the big stride that he’s got, he gives us the impression that he’ll cope with a bit more distance as well. Hopefully he can prove that with another strong performance this weekend. “He worked very well on Tuesday. Michael Dee rode him, and he doesn’t normally say a lot, so you take notice when he comments that a horse is going particularly well. “Our plan is to work towards a race like the Derby, and this race on Saturday should give us an idea whether we should continue along that path.” Truth Or Dare is currently rated a $13 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Victoria Derby, which will be run at Flemington on November 2. Truth Or Dare will be the only runner at Flemington on Saturday for Walker, with stablemate Quintessa having been scratched from the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m). “She just had a bit of a sore foot, it’s nothing major,” Walker said. “We’ll regroup and look to run her in the Tristarc Stakes (Group 2, 1400m) at Caulfield on the 19th.” Horse racing news View the full article

Autumn Glow cruising to victory in the Tea Rose Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The Chris Waller-trained Autumn Glow is a late withdrawal for Saturday’s Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) after presenting with lameness on early Friday morning. The daughter of The Autumn Sun was set to go around as a $1.50 favourite with horse racing bookmakers in the three-year-old feature, however, she will now miss her chance at Group 1 glory in the spring, with Waller hopeful of a 2025 autumn return. “Unfortunately, Autumn Glow was found to be slightly lame this morning in her right front leg,” Waller’s statement read. “An x-ray was taken which shows a minor chip in her right front knee. “She will therefore not take her place tomorrow in the Flight Stakes. “The chip will be surgically removed, giving her the best possible prognosis for a return in the autumn. “This is very disappointing for all involved, particularly the horse. “She is a very exciting prospect, and we are confident that she will make a full recovery.” Stable companion Lady Shenandoah and Tea Rose Stakes (1200m) runner-up Snow In May now share favouritism at $2.70 for Saturday’s Flight Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Town Cryer (centre) winning last year’s Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Town Cryer kicked off a career-best season with an upset victory in last year’s Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and she will return among the favourites to go back-to-back on Saturday at Hawera. 12 months ago, star mare Prowess entered the race and was backed into heavy favouritism, but the soft track conditions played into the hands of her race-rival, who collected the victory with plenty of authority. Having previously won the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m), the win was certainly no fluke, and the daughter of Tavistock continued to prove herself further into the season when winning the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and placing in the Group 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) and the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Roydon Bergerson, who trains Town Cryer out of Awapuni, had hoped to pick up where she left off in elite company with the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) last month, but was happy to wait for the mare to indicate she was ready to head back to the races. “We were hoping to get to Hawke’s Bay, but we got held up because I just wasn’t 100 percent happy with her heading into a big race,” he said. “I really wanted to kick off there and go into the Arrowfield (Group 1, 1600m), but it just didn’t work out. “She was battling with her coat for a while, but since she’s been losing that, she’s stepped up a gear. “I was happy with her trial the other day, she did everything we asked of her and aimed to keep her a bit fresh. “She’s a horse that will tell you when she’s ready, and she just wasn’t quite there a few weeks ago. That’s why we are kicking off here.” Bergerson had been quietly optimistic before last year’s contest and maintains that same faith in his charge, with barrier four and the booking of jockey Kelly Myers only aiding her chances. “We were pretty confident last year and we were chasing one of the best horses in New Zealand, but the wet track held the other mare up a bit and enhanced our chances,” he said. “I’m pretty happy going into the race this time, she’s got a good draw and a good jockey.” Beyond the fillies’ and mares’ feature, Bergerson is eyeing the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham in December, a race Town Cryer finished seventh in last season, albeit after working to get on the pace in the false start. “It’s hard to get a lead-up as she’ll get thumped in the weights in handicaps, but I’ll be trying to get her to the TAB Classic,” Bergerson said. “We’ve just got to try to work a path to get her there, the programming is a bit hard at the moment and finding races is proving very difficult, also for the open sprinters.” Consistent maidener Wonderboy will also represent the stable at Hawera, aiming to improve off a last-start second. “I think he’s probably a better grass horse than the synthetic,” Bergerson said. “He went alright there (Awapuni Synthetic), he was probably asked to do a bit in the running after being slow away from the gates. He’s been pretty hard on the nickel, looped the field and stuck to his task pretty well. “I think up to the mile on a reasonable track, he should be alright.” Horse racing news View the full article

Buoyant pictured with trainer Sabin Kirkland following his win in the 2022 Group 3 Stewards Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. Photo: Race Images South Ascot Park trainer Sabin Kirkland is hoping his stakes-winning sprinter Buoyant can recapture his form of old when he lines-up at his home track on Sunday. The six-year-old son of Dalghar was one of the most exciting sprinters in the country two years ago when he had a near-perfect spring preparation, winning three and placing in two of his five starts that campaign, including victories in the Group 3 Stewards Stakes (1200m) and Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m). Kirkland then elected to test Buoyant’s talents across the Tasman, initially in the care of Matthew Enright before transferring to Mornington trainer Brett Scott. Buoyant failed to fire in Australia, and while Kirkland persevered with his gelding in Victoria, he decided to bring him home at the start of the season in the hope of recapturing his New Zealand form. “He didn’t fire over in Australia. It didn’t start well when he was scratched in his first start when he played up in the barrier,” Kirkland said. “We thought we would go down to Mornington and try another trainer down there and see if that worked out, but it didn’t, and now he is home. “The last four starts he had he drew the outside marble, and you can’t win from there.” Buoyant may take a form line of duck eggs into his resuming run on Sunday, but he is the only stakes winner in the field and the clear class horse of the race on his New Zealand form, and Kirkland is hoping he can prove that this weekend. “He arrived home in early August. I have been very happy with him, but he is just hard to get a line on with the way the weather has been. We will know more after Sunday,” he said. “It is going to be a super heavy track. At this stage I am just wondering if they are going to run them or not, we have had a lot of rain down here. “But hopefully he gets a run and can pick up his New Zealand form.” If he picks up that form, stakes targets await Buoyant, with a potential trip north to try and recapture his crown in the Stewards Stakes during New Zealand Cup Week in November. “We might have another crack at the Stewards, he does like Riccarton,” Kirkland said. “There are a lot of other opportunities as well, we’ll just see how he comes up.” Horse racing news View the full article

Town Cryer kicked off a career-best season with an upset victory in last year’s Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and she will return among the favourites to go back-to-back on Saturday at Hawera. 12 months ago, star mare Prowess entered the race and was backed into heavy favouritism, but the soft track conditions played into the hands of her race-rival, who collected the victory with plenty of authority. Having previously won the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m), the win was certainly no fluke, and the daughter of Tavistock continued to prove herself further into the season when winning the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and placing in the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) and the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Roydon Bergerson, who trains Town Cryer out of Awapuni, had hoped to pick up where she left off in elite company with the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) last month, but was happy to wait for the mare to indicate she was ready to head back to the races. “We were hoping to get to Hawke’s Bay, but we got held up because I just wasn’t 100 percent happy with her heading into a big race,” he said. “I really wanted to kick off there and go into the Arrowfield (Gr.1, 1600m), but it just didn’t work out. “She was battling with her coat for a while, but since she’s been losing that, she’s stepped up a gear. “I was happy with her trial the other day, she did everything we asked of her and aimed to keep her a bit fresh. “She’s a horse that will tell you when she’s ready, and she just wasn’t quite there a few weeks ago. That’s why we are kicking off here.” Bergerson had been quietly optimistic before last year’s contest and maintains that same faith in his charge, with barrier four and the booking of jockey Kelly Myers only aiding her chances. “We were pretty confident last year and we were chasing one of the best horses in New Zealand, but the wet track held the other mare up a bit and enhanced our chances,” he said. “I’m pretty happy going into the race this time, she’s got a good draw and a good jockey.” Beyond the fillies’ and mares’ feature, Bergerson is eyeing the Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham in December, a race Town Cryer finished seventh in last season, albeit after working to get on the pace in the false start. “It’s hard to get a lead-up as she’ll get thumped in the weights in handicaps, but I’ll be trying to get her to the TAB Classic,” Bergerson said. “We’ve just got to try to work a path to get her there, the programming is a bit hard at the moment and finding races is proving very difficult, also for the open sprinters.” Consistent maidener Wonderboy will also represent the stable at Hawera, aiming to improve off a last-start second in the MJ Concept Construction Ltd Maiden (1600m). “I think he’s probably a better grass horse than the synthetic,” Bergerson said. “He went alright there (Awapuni Synthetic), he was probably asked to do a bit in the running after being slow away from the gates. He’s been pretty hard on the nickel, looped the field and stuck to his task pretty well. “I think up to the mile on a reasonable track, he should be alright.” View the full article

Ascot Park trainer Sabin Kirkland is hoping his stakes-winning sprinter Buoyant can recapture his form of old when he lines-up in the Heineken Handicap (1200m) at his home track on Sunday. The six-year-old son of Dalghar was one of the most exciting sprinters in the country two years ago when he had a near-perfect spring preparation, winning three and placing in two of his five starts that campaign, including victories in the Gr.3 Stewards Stakes (1200m) and Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m). Kirkland then elected to test Buoyant’s talents across the Tasman, initially in the care of Matthew Enright before transferring to Mornington trainer Brett Scott. Buoyant failed to fire in Australia, and while Kirkland persevered with his gelding in Victoria, he decided to bring him home at the start of the season in the hope of recapturing his New Zealand form. “He didn’t fire over in Australia. It didn’t start well when he was scratched in his first start when he played up in the barrier,” Kirkland said. “We thought we would go down to Mornington and try another trainer down there and see if that worked out, but it didn’t, and now he is home. “The last four starts he had he drew the outside marble, and you can’t win from there.” Buoyant may take a form line of duck eggs into his resuming run on Sunday, but he is the only stakes winner in the field and the clear class horse of the race on his New Zealand form, and Kirkland is hoping he can prove that this weekend. “He arrived home in early August. I have been very happy with him, but he is just hard to get a line on with the way the weather has been. We will know more after Sunday,” he said. “It is going to be a super heavy track. At this stage I am just wondering if they are going to run them or not, we have had a lot of rain down here. “But hopefully he gets a run and can pick up his New Zealand form.” If he picks up that form, stakes targets await Buoyant, with a potential trip north to try and recapture his crown in the Stewards Stakes during New Zealand Cup Week in November. “We might have another crack at the Stewards, he does like Riccarton,” Kirkland said. “There are a lot of other opportunities as well, we’ll just see how he comes up.” View the full article

Melbourne Cup hopeful, Berkshire Breeze. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher is aiming for his fourth victory in the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2520m) in five years, with Interpretation, Saint George, and Berkshire Breeze set to contest the race at Flemington on Saturday. The trio will be vying for a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 5. Berkshire Breeze’s path toward Cup qualification has gone well so far, with wins at Flemington on June 8 and July 6, followed by a second-place finish on August 3 after leading the race. He tried again for a ballot exemption in the Group 1 Archer Stakes (2500m) on September 14 but managed only third on a heavy track. “Drawing two on Saturday, he’s going to get a nice run, hopefully midfield,” said assistant trainer Jack Turnbull. “We think he has the talent, and if he can win, he’s qualified for the big one.” Saint George is expected to thrive over 2520 metres after finishing a strong fourth in the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield last start. Meanwhile, Interpretation will be trying to secure a spot in his third Melbourne Cup, having finished sixth last year. “He’s quirky, and there have been a few times where he put his nose up and said, ‘I’ve had enough of this.’ So he does a lot of schooling, which hopefully will sharpen him up,” Turnbull added. Horse racing news View the full article

Turnbull Stakes contender, Sharp ‘N’ Smart. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Graeme and Debbie Rogerson’s Sharp ‘N’ Smart is aiming high this spring, with plans to pave his way towards the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) as he lines up for the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday. The son of Redwood previously won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick as a three-year-old and finished second in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m). However, his four-year-old season was disrupted by illness. “He had a really hard three-year-old campaign, and then we were getting him ready for the Triple Crown at Hastings,” said Debbie Rogerson. “He went well in the first leg, and we went back for the second. It’s a long trip down, and he picked up a bacterial virus. It knocked him out on his feet. ” We tried to get it on track and thought we did—he had a couple of good runs—but we still weren’t 100 percent happy. “We gave him a good spell, and he was clear when he came back in.” After two runs this campaign, including an improved second-place finish over a mile at Te Rapa on September 15, Rogerson is optimistic about his chances. “If he happens to run in the first three, we’ve got the Caulfield Cup option. “He’s nominated for the Cox Plate, and we’ve got other races leading to the Melbourne Cup, so we’ll work everything out after Saturday. “It’s a good field, and he’s drawn not too well, but if he’s hitting the line in that last 200 metres, I’d be very happy.” Horse racing news View the full article

When trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. entered two fillies in the $400,000 Frizette Stakes (G1), he was pragmatic about their chances against the probable heavy favorite Senza Parole.View the full article

Race 9 THE PLOUGH HOTEL 1400m MISSONI (T Comignaghi) – Trainer Mr. R Dennis reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of MISSONI’S, and it is his intention to carry on with the mare’s current preparation. The post North Canterbury Jockey Club @ Riccarton Park, Saturday 28 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Zardozi winning the 2023 VRC Oaks. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) James Cummings is optimistic about Zardozi’s chances in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday. Despite being unplaced in all three starts this campaign, including a fifth-place finish in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on September 21, Cummings draws confidence from the filly’s ability to rebound, much like she did last season when following a similar trajectory in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) before finishing second in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m). “I feel she’s really warming to a big performance,” Cummings told RSN. “We were not in a dissimilar boat in the lead up to the ATC Oaks, so I’ve persevered toward the Metropolitan despite her unplaced run in the Kingston Town. “She drops nicely in weight, which she has been crying out for this preparation. “Stepping out to a mile and a half is right in her wheelhouse, so I can see a lot of parallels from the steps she took from the Vinery to the ATC Oaks.” Cummings also noted the importance of patience in Zardozi’s development. “It will give us an insight into whether or not she needed to take another prep at open age company before her maturity can catch up to her rating. “It’s a matter of being more patient and that’s what we’re prepared to do. “We’re strongly of the opinion we need to take advantage of her handicap, and the Metropolitan seems to be the right race to do so. I’m rather confident she can run a race.” Horse racing news View the full article

Epsom Handicap favourite, Royal Patronage. Photo: Bradleyphotos Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are aiming for their first Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) win as a training partnership when they send out Royal Patronage and Major Beel for the Group 1 contest at Randwick on Saturday. Royal Patronage, last seen finishing third in the 7 Stakes (1600m) behind Fangirl, is the $7 favourite with horse racing bookmakers, and Bott is hopeful that the gelding’s tactical speed can help him overcome a wide barrier draw in 17. “First-up he showed great tactical speed over the 1400 metres, if he’s able to do that again, he can easily offset that draw,” Bott said. “In the 7 Stakes, he got himself in an awkward position, so we’d like to see him being on the front foot out of the gate.” Major Beel is also well-fancied after kicking off his five-year-old campaign with a win over 1600 metres at Randwick, followed by a close fifth in the 7 Stakes. “It was an honest performance,” Bott said of that effort. “He led and gave them a great sight and wasn’t beaten far. Last preparation, we felt he didn’t quite see out the staying trips. “The transition from three-year-old company to open staying ranks is not easy. “We thought we’d start by trying to keep him sharp for a few of those mile to 2000-metre races, and then if needed, we could stretch him out. “But for now, he’s been effective enough to keep him at that trip.” Winona Costin will ride Major Beel from barrier nine, chasing her maiden Group 1 win, while Tim Clark partners Royal Patronage. Horse racing news View the full article

Race 5 RISK MANAGEMENT GROUP 1200m STREET GOSSIP (R Goyarami) – Trainer Mr. A Sharrock advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, and it is his intention to nominate STREET GOSSIP for the Otaki Māori RC meeting on Saturday 19 October. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Te Rapa, Friday 27 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

2nd-KEE, $100k, Msw, 2yo, 1mT, post time: 1:32 p.m. ET One need look no further than the rail for the fanciest pedigree in this field of 12, as SCORPIUS (Into Mischief) is the full-brother to Mandaloun, who overcame an eventful trip on his six-furlong debut at this track to become a 'TDN Rising Star' during the fall meeting in 2020 and went on to win the GII Risen Star Stakes before going on to be promoted to the victory in both the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Haskell Stakes in 2021. The colts' dual group-winning dam Brooch (Empire Maker) is a half-sister to SW & MGSP Caponata (Selkirk), the dam of this year's G3 Prestige Fillies Stakes third-place finisher Merrily (No Nay Never). This is the female family of Group 1 winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), who has been supplemented to Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. TJCIS PPs 3rd-KEE, $100k, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 2:04 p.m. ET A $550,000 Keeneland September purchase by Belladonna Racing in 2022, PRODIGIEUX (Uncle Mo) makes a belated first trip to the races here. The Feb. 7 foal is one of two of racing age for her dam Splashy Kisses (Blame), runner-up in the GII Pocahontas Stakes at two in 2018 and later placed in the GIII Sweet Life Stakes on the grass. The collective braintrust surrounding Belladonna apparently liked this filly so much that they gave $220,000 for the now 2-year-old half-sister to Prodigieux, As You Wish (Volatile), at last year's KEESEP sale. The deeper female family includes champion and GI Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Tempera (A.P. Indy). Thanksgiving (Uncle Mo) is a full-sister to 2020 Pocahontas heroine Girl Daddy and her dam is a half-sister to SW & GSP Abby's Angel (Touch Gold), who produced GSW & G1SP Comicas (Distorted Humor). Thanksgiving was a $625,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling. TJCIS PPs 4th-KEE, $110k, AOC, 2yo, f, 6f, 2:36 p.m. ET Stonestreet homebred ECLATANT (Into Mischief) could scarcely have been more impressive on her career debut, striking from close range to graduate by 1 3/4 lengths at Churchill Downs June 21 while earning a lofty 82 Beyer Speed Figure. The victory came at the expense of La Cara (Street Sense), an eight-length maiden winner at Saratoga Aug. 11 and subsequently the 3/4-length victress of this year's Pocahontas Sept. 14. The homebred filly is a full-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' Mutasaabeq, victorious in the GII Bourbon Stakes over the local grass course in 2020 and winner on dirt of the Mucho Macho Man Stakes. Her female family also includes GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day). Winchell homebred Tapit First (Tapit), a nose winner of a 4 1/2-furlong maiden here back in April, is out of a half-sister to Fioretti (Bernardini), who took the GII Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes on opening weekend here in 2015. TJCIS PPs 6th-KEE, $110k, Alw, 3yo/up, 7f, 3:40 p.m. ET AIR OF DEFIANCE (Quality Road) was the distant runner-up in the Saratoga maiden won by 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) in the Saratoga mud last August and earned the same honor when drilling a field of local maidens by six lengths last Oct. 18. The $400,000 KEESEP yearling, a son of GSW/GISP Faypien (Ghostzapper), switches from the barn of Brad Cox to Chad Summers for this sophomore debut. He takes on Montalcino (Take Charge Indy), who Beyered 91 when taking out a Saratoga maiden by 1 1/2 lengths Sept. 1. TJCIS PPs The post Friday Insights: Keeneland Gets Rolling With Two-Turn Turf Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 5 CR GRACE LTD / WATERFORCE 1240m MAGAWA (K Hercock) – Trainer Mr. M Dixon reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of gelding, and it is his intention to carry on with MAGAWA’S current preparation. The post Wanganui Jockey Club @ Wanganui, Saturday 21 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The California Horse Racing Board was notified Sept. 24 that Equine Infectious Anemia was identified in a Quarter Horse at Los Alamitos. That horse was euthanized, and six other Quarter horses confirmed as positive were euthanized Oct. 2-3.View the full article

ABR's Patrick Reed likes Kikkuli in the Oct. 5 test at Keeneland.View the full article

Fair Grounds has bumped purses for the GII Risen Star Stakes and the GIII Lecomte Stakes–both “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points races–in advance of the track's 153rd season. The Risen Star will be increased from $400,000 to $500,000 and the Lecomte upped from $200,000 to $250,000. With eight existing stakes getting a $25,000 boost, a total of $325,000 in increases is scheduled for the track's 63-race stakes program, totaling $8.875 million in purses during the 76-day Thoroughbred meet. “The Louisiana Road to the Derby and Oaks has established itself as one of the most productive paths to Louisville and we hope bolstering these races helps to maintain its presence as the premiere series of Derby preps,” said Director of Racing Jason Boulet. The New Orleans-area track will open Friday, Nov. 22 with six Louisiana-bred stakes slated for the first two racing programs. The Road to the Derby Kickoff Day at Fair Grounds begins Dec. 21, followed by Road to the Derby Day Jan. 18, Louisiana Derby Preview Day Feb. 15, and Louisiana Derby Day Mar. 22. Each program will feature Kentucky Derby and Oaks preps, as well as additional graded stakes. Closing day is Sunday, Mar. 23, with the first condition book available here. The post Fair Grounds Ups Purses for Two Derby Points Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. entered two fillies in the $400,000 Frizette Stakes (G1), he was pragmatic about their chances against the probable heavy favorite Senza Parole.View the full article

Tickets, please! Keeneland's fall meet has the turnstiles primed Friday and that means the featured GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes will fill the apron on what promises to be massive weekend with some 30 graded races across North America–half of which have Breeders' Cup implications. The signature top-level race at the site of the Old Keene Farm was named for a foundational mare who was bred at Hal Price Headley's Beaumont–where modern-day Mill Ridge resides. Alcibiades won the 1930 Kentucky Oaks for Headley, who was one the Keeneland Association's founders and its president from 1935 to 1951. Looking to honor this mare's legacy, throw down around two turns for the first time and earn a “Win and You're In” spot for the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies is a field of seven after The Queens M G (Thousand Words) elected to stay in New York for the GI Frizette Stakes on Saturday. Godolphin homebred Immersive (Nyquist) makes a strong case for why she is the Alcibiades deserving favorite after the Brad Cox trainee won over the mud in the GI Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga on the last day of August. The runner-up that day was 'TDN Rising Star' Quietside (Malibu Moon). The Shortleaf homebred earned that badge of distinction with a maiden-breaking score by 6 1/4 lengths upstate Aug. 4. “We could tell she was special,” said Quietside's trainer John Ortiz. “She just looked the part. We watched her train, and she had the right attitude. Sure enough when she started breezing, you could see all of her ability starting to shine through. I told [Shortleaf owner] Mr. John Ed Anthony 'this one might have it' and she has proven me right.” Immersive over Quietside at the Spa | Sarah Andrew As this pair renew their rivalry, the Spinaway's third-place finisher Sherbini (Cairo Prince) has also drawn. The rest of the field appears intriguing with second-out winner Quickick (McKinzie), GIII Pocahontas Stakes runner-up Liam in the Dust (Liam's Map), undefeated Continuity (Speightster) and surface switcher Rich City Girl (City of Light). The Keeneland card also includes the GIII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes which offers entry into the newly sponsored GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint. On top of the morning-line odds is Nakatomi (Firling Line) who has enjoyed three wins over the local course. The gelding trained by Wesley Ward was the runner-up in the Phoenix last year and he comes back to Keeneland off a score in the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga in late July. Looking to net his first graded stakes is Federal Judge (Army Mule). The WinStar and Siena Farms 4-year-old ran up the score by six lengths against optional claimers at the Spa Aug. 31. Also, it would not be a Keeneland meet without some invaders from Gulfstream Park. Comedy Town (Speightstown) and Swirvin (Girvin) will represent the Sunshine State under trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. The Haggin Turf Course will once again host the GII Jessamine Stakes and up for grabs is a pass to GI John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The last time trainer Rusty Arnold celebrated a Jessamine win it was in 2018 with Concrete Rose (Twirling Candy). Six years on, Arnold rolls into Keeneland with Totally Justified (Justify) who won the P.G. Johnson Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 28. The filly is up against a field which includes a trio of Kentucky Downs debut winners in Isle of Capri (Munnings), Destino d'Oro (Bolt d'Oro) and Correto (English Channel). May Day Ready (Tapit) won the bob over Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) at Saratoga in early August, then the 2-year-old captured the Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Kentucky Downs. Both will see one another again in the Jessamine. One More For Good Measure Not to be left out of the 'Win and You're In' festivities on Friday is the GIII Futurity Stakes at the Big A. With passage to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at stake, the field sports a pair from Todd Pletcher's shedrow. Gate to Wire (Munnings) did not quite live up to his name, but the colt did graduate at first asking for Donegal Racing at the Spa Aug. 30. Trying turf for the first time is stablemate Mentee (City of Light), a full-brother to last year's champion 2-year-old Fierceness. The Repole homebred was well-beaten in the GI Hopeful Stakes upstate as the meet closed. Not to be overlooked are a pair with a bit of history. Under Who's Radar (Violence), who was taken down and placed second after he was disqualified in the Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs Sept. 1, will get another crack at the horse who benefitted from his foul, Chasing Liberty (Constitution). The post Keeneland Fall Opens With Alcibiades On Massive Graded Stakes Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A unique guided tour of ICONS: The Photography of John Reardon will be offered at the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket on Oct. 19. Photos of famous chefs, as well as horses are part of the exhibit. The tour will be guided by exhibition curator and wife of the late Reardon, Sacha Lehrfreund. Beginning at 2 p.m., the tour will last approximately 45 minutes and will be included with the price of museum admission. Tickets are £15 for adults with children free. The Moller Gallery of the National Horseracing Musuem runs through Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. Lehrfreund said, “No matter how unlikely these portraits seem, everything was composed in camera, the majority were shot on film, and nothing was faked in post-production.” For tickets, please visit the NHM website. The post Unique Reardon Photo Tour Offered At National Horseracing Musuem On Oct. 19 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article