Wandering Eyes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coming out of the chute at Churchill Downs in the GIII Chilukki Stakes, Two Sharp (Twirling Candy–Double Sharp, by Distorted Humor) was on a mission going a mile on the main track–get to the lead. The 3-year-old accomplished that task and went on to take home her first graded stakes. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' at second asking in upstate New York Aug. 2, the filly went off as the 4-5 choice here. Running the field off their feet, Two Sharp made every pole a winning one. As she entered the stretch she pour gasoline on the fire and went on to win by seven lengths over Royal Spa (Violence). The fractions were stiff at :22.86 for the first quarter-mile and :44.86 for the half. The final running time was 1:34.40, which now stands as the second fastest clocking of the race. The top time is held by none other than Chilukki (Cherokee Run) herself. Lifetime Record: 5-3-2-0. Sales History: $925,000 '22 KEESEP. O-Rigney Racing, LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC; T-Philip Bauer. Two Sharp and @JuniorandKellyA go gate-to-wire in the G3 Chilukki Stakes! pic.twitter.com/VWRgL7TwBe — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) November 23, 2024 Saturday, Churchill Downs CHILUKKI S.-GIII, $297,500, Churchill Downs, 11-23, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:34.40, ft. 1–TWO SHARP, 118, f, 3, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Double Sharp, by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Bsharpsonata, by Pulpit 3rd Dam: Apasionata Sonata, by Affirmed 'TDN Rising Star' 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($925,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Rigney Racing LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm LLC (KY); T-Philip A Bauer; J-Junior Alvarado. $180,350. Lifetime Record: 5-3-2-0, $366,698. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Royal Spa, 121, f, 4, Violence–Bodacious Babe, by Mineshaft. 1ST GRADED BLACK-TYPE. O-Breffni Farm; B-Breffni Farm (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. $58,500. 3–Taxed, 121, f, 4, Collected–Yankee Union, by Yankee Gentleman. ($27,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $105,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-Richard Bahde; B-Brereton C Jones (KY); T-Randy L Morse. $29,250. Margins: 5 3/4, 2 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 0.97, 8.45, 8.09. Also Ran: Oeuvre, Positano Sunset, Pigalle, Fancy, Imonra. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Two Sharp Is Too Fast In Chilukki Stakes Under Twin Spires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Del Mar, $54,500, Msw, 11-23, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 1:15.91, ft, 2 1/4 lengths. ROMANESQUE (c, 2, Practical Joke–Mony'slittlegracie, by Alphabet Soup) was the slightly better-fancied half of an uncoupled Bob Baffert-trained entry at 5-2, raced in lockstep with Rodriguez (Authentic) for most of the final half-mile of Saturday's second race at Del Mar and finally gained the upper hand inside the final 100 yards to graduate at first asking. Off perhaps a half-step slowly from the inside gate while Rodriguez clearly won the break, the $60,000 Keeneland November weanling turned $435,000 Keeneland September yearling was ridden along by Juan Hernandez and made up ground at the fence to be more or less on even terms as they approached the entrance to the turn. The duo put a handful of lengths on their rivals nearing the stretch and eyeballed one another past the eighth pole, but the Pennsylvania-bred Romanesque did the better of the two at the fence to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths. Breeder Elizabeth Barr purchased the winner's dam, a full-sister to Wonder Where Stakes heroine Hot Talent, for $12,000 in foal to Goldencents at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. She elected to retain the mare with this colt in utero when bidding stalled out at $34,000 at KEENOV the following fall and sold her on for $1,500 in foal to Echo Town at KEENOV in 2022. Mony'slittlegracie is the dam of the yearling filly Dakota's Lil Auror, the weanling filly Grace On Tap (Magic On Tap) and is due to Verifying for 2025. Sales history: $60,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $435,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $32,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. 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 & Catherine Donovan; B-Elizabeth B Barr (PA); T-Bob Baffert. The two Bob Baffert trained debuting 2-year-olds battled the whole stretch until #1 ROMANESQUE ($7) pulled away from #6 Rodriguez to win race 2 at Del Mar. The son of Practical Joke was ridden by @JJHernandezS19. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/FIek8TjugN — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 23, 2024 The post Practical Joke Colt Romanesque Leads Baffert 1-2 at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Richmond Park trainer Robert Stuart heads to Banks Peninsula today with a strong chance of success with maiden pacer Amalfi. Sam Ottley will reunite with him in Race 2, the NZMTC Supports Grass Racing Mobile Pace. The four-year-old Sweet Lou gelding was huge in his fresh up run at Rangiora on November 8 where he sat parked the trip and only went down a short margin. Stuart believes the gelding will be ready to run another strong race. “He seems as good as was three weeks ago. I expect him to go well,” said Stuart. Amalfi will still need to do some work in the race today as he has drawn the outside of the front line, but that does not deter Stuart. “He had about ten starts last prep but was never right. So he seems like a different horse this time in.” Stuart will also line up a debutant three year old Art Major filly Art’s Mischief in Race 3, the Happy Birthday Kirsten Bridge. After spending her earlier years with Jim Curtin, Art’s Mischief had the reset button pushed by Stuart. “I turned her out when i got her.” “She’s maturing nicely. She’ll be a nice horse in six months time.” Today’s affair will be a learning curve for both trainer and driver. “She will just need the run and experience” “She goes alright, but we aren’t expecting too much at this stage.” She will also be driven by Sam Ottley. Today’s 11-race card starts at 12.18pm. View the full article

1/ST Racing's Aidan Butler took the opportunity to address a much larger issue during the Nov. 21 CHRB meeting. He said racing in California is heading toward disaster if Santa Anita and Northern California continue to have overlapping meets.View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest on the Japan Cup undercard Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse: Sunday, November 24, 2024 6th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($89k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT RHINO (JPN) (c, 2, Into Mischief–Princess Noor, by Not This Time) is the first foal for his dam, the $1.35-million topper at the 2020 OBS April Sale and subsequent 'TDN Rising Star' who posted her most important victory in that year's GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes for Zedan Racing and Bob Baffert. Katsumi Yoshida paid $2.9 million for Princess Noor at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale with this colt in utero, while her dam–Sheza Smoke Show (Wilko)–fetched $1 million in foal to Tapit at the same event in 2022. That in-utero produce, a colt, was hammered down for $900,000 to Repole/Grandview Equine at Keeneland September this fall. B-Northern Farm 5th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($89k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600m REALIZE CAMION (JPN) (c, 2, American Pharoah–Spiced Perfection, by Smiling Tiger) looks to give his sire a second Japanese debut winner in as many days with Ryan Moore at the controls, who guided Luxor Cafe to a win in the Saturday opener at headquarters. Winner of the 2018 GI La Brea Stakes and the GI Madison Stakes the following season, Spiced Perfection was led out unsold on a bid of $1.35 million at Keeneland November in 2019. She made the final start of her career in the colors of Haruya Yoshida in the 2020 GIII Winning Color Stakes, was bred the following spring and produced this colt in February 2022. Realize Carmion was sold on for the equivalent of $1,195,525 at the 2023 JRHA Select Yearling Sale. B-Oiwake Farm The post First Foal From ‘Rising Star’ Princess Noor Debuts at Tokyo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-CD, 120K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 3:55 p.m. The half-sister to Eclipse winner and GI Longines Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), PRETTY SASSY (Medaglia d'Oro) debuts as a homebred for Godolphin Sunday. The third foal out of GI Spinaway Stakes winner Pretty City Dancer, who sold to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for $3,500,000 at FTKNOV in 2018 and is a half to GISW Lear's Princess (Lear Fan), Pretty Sassy gets jockey Tyler Gaffalione aboard for trainer Brendan Walsh. Lined up just inside of that runner is Brown Sugar (Twirling Candy), a $400,000 OBS 2-year-old buy for Resolute Racing who is a full-sister to GI Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer. First dam Cashmere, who RNA'd for $1.1m at FKTNOV in 2022, has also produced SP Cono (Lucky Pulpit) and sports a six-for-six strike rate for runners to winners. TJCIS PPS 5th-FG, 58K, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 3:45 p.m. A pair of homebreds for Gary and Mary West line up side by side led by Hot Property (Medaglia d'Oro), a daughter of Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Milwaukee Appeal. The dam has already produced MGSW Actress (Tapit) who in turn is responsible for MGSW Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) and 'TDN Rising Star' Flashy Dancer (Curlin). Stablemate Private Show (Street Sense) is the first foal out of Fashion Babe, a daughter of GISP Keep the Peace and a half to the dam of SW/MGSP Our Super Freak (Mineshaft). TJCIS PPS 1st-AQU, 90K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 12:10 p.m. Juddmonte homebred Long Wave (Constitution) is a half to Longines World's Best Racehorse leader and G1 Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River (Into Mischief). The dam is a full-sister to MGISW Emollient who produced three stakes runner by Frankel (GB) and a further MGSP runner by War Front in her own broodmare career. The family also includes SW/MGISP Hofburg (Tapit) and SW/GSP Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile). TJCIS PPS 1st-GP, 65K, Msw, 2yo, 1m 70yds (AWT), 12:20 p.m. Lomax (Curlin) is a Florida-bred half-brother to MGISW and sire Catholic Boy (More Than Ready) out of $2.3m FTKNOV broodmare Song of Bernadette who has also produced the dam of GSP 'TDN Rising Star' Virgin Colada (More Than Ready). Breeder Bridlewood Farm (who made that final $2.3m bid) owns Lomax in partnership with Eclipse Thoroughbreds. TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insights: Prolific Pedigrees On Display Nationwide appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Favoured at 90 cents on the dollar, Eri King (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) ran to the money, winning the G3 Radio Nikkei Hai Kyoto Nisai Stakes at Kyoto on Saturday by 1 1/4 lengths over the closing Giovanni (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). Claudiai (Jpn) (Saturnalia {Jpn}) was third, another length behind. Breaking widest of all in stall eight, the near-black colt soon found himself punching the breeze out by his lonesome in a tracking fifth as Water Clark (Jpn) (Water Build {Jpn}) showed the way into the right-handed bend. The pace was steady with a quarter-mile split of :24.70 and a half-mile in :49.40. Kept on cruise control by Yuga Kawada, Eri King began to make up ground through 1000 metres in 1:01.90. Water Clark's advantage shrank as noses pointed for home, and Kawada appeared to be sitting on go with Eri King. Given a shake of the reins, he went into overdrive in pursuit of the pacesetter and Sarakosth (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who had stalked in second the hole way. In charge by the 100-metre mark, Eri King survived the rallying effort of Giovanni for the victory. The colt won a Kyoto newcomers' contest over 1800 metres of yielding ground in June with Sarakosth second, before making it two in a row at Chukyo over this trip on Sept. 21. In the latter start, he defeated Giovanni. Pedigree Notes Fresh off the news that Kizuna will stand for ¥20,000,000 at Shadai Stallion Station next year, Saturday's winner became his 36th overall stakes winner and 24th group winner. In 2024 alone, the son of Deep Impact (Jpn)'s progeny have bolted up in 21 stakes, with Justin Milano (Jpn) winning the G1 Satsuki Sho in the spring. Also on Saturday, Kizuna colt Natural Rise (Jpn) threw his hat in the ring on Japan's Road to the Kentucky Derby when he won the Cattleya Stakes (allowance). An A$1,400,000 Inglis Chairmans Sale purchase by Katsumi Yoshida in 2020 before beginning her broodmare career in Japan, G1 Queensland Oaks heroine Youngstar has a weanling filly by Contrail (Jpn) as her second foal, with Eri King her first. Youngstar is a half-sister to G1 Flight Stakes scorer Funstar (Aus) (Adelaide {Ire}), while her Galileo (Ire) half-sister Baggy Green (Aus) is the dam of four stakes winners including top-level winners Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and No Compromise (NZ) (Pins {Aus}). Third dam was the outstanding racemare User Friendly (GB) (Slip Anchor {GB}), a winner of the G1 St Leger, G1 Irish Oaks, G1 Oaks, G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and G1 Yorkshire Oaks. She was also second in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Saturday, Kyoto, Japan RADIO NIKKEI HAI KYOTO NISAI STAKES-G3, ¥63,020,000, Kyoto, 11-23, 2yo, 2000mT, 2:00.90, fm. 1–ERI KING (JPN), 123, c, 2, Kizuna (Jpn) 1st Dam: Youngstar (Aus) (G1SW-Aus, $766,777), by High Chaparral(Ire) 2nd Dam: Starspangled (Ire), by Danehill 3rd Dam: User Friendly (GB), by Slip Anchor (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. (¥210,000,000 Ylg '23 JRHAJUL). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Mitsumasa Nakauchida; J-Yuga Kawada; ¥33,294,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, ¥56,620,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Giovanni (Jpn), 123, c, 2, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Barefoot Lady (Ire), by Footstepsinthesand (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-KR Japan; B-Taihei Farm (Jpn); ¥13,084,000. 3–Claudiai (Jpn), 123, c, 2, Saturnalia (Jpn)–Mon Coeur (Jpn), by Deep Impact (Jpn). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-K's Japan; B-Kasamatsu Farm (Jpn); ¥8,342,000. Margins: 1 1/4, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 0.90, 5.50, 7.70. Also Ran: Water Clark (Jpn), Three Kings (Jpn), Take It All (Jpn), Sarakosth (Jpn), Laurel Orb (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Kizuna’s Eri King Remains Undefeated In Kyoto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Making his first start since breaking his maiden impressively over 1700 meters (about a mile and a sixteenth) at Sapporo Racecourse in July, Natural Rise (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) swept widest of all into the long Tokyo straight and held off a late bid from Clay King (Jpn) (Nadal) to take out Saturday's Cattleya Stakes (allowance), the first of four races that comprise the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Natural Rise picks up 10 Kentucky Derby points for the victory. Sent off the 13-5 second betting favorite behind fellow impressive debut winner Snappy Dresser (Union Rags) at 3-2, Natural Rise was off slowly from gate 12 and wanted to be closer in the run than his rider Takeshi Yokoyama wished, tugging fairly hard for rein while racing in the clear in the journey to the turn. Still hard held on the bend, the colt was given his head and made ominous headway six or seven deep at the top of the lane. Accelerating sharply to lead in hand entering the final 400 meters, Natural Rise opened a bit of a break and was home first in solid time to remain perfect in two tries. Clay King, the distant third choice in the field, raced worse than midfield and inside for most of the opening six furlongs and got home well once clear to beat T O Elvis (Volatile) for the place spot. Snappy Dresser was one of the last away and raced in heavy traffic in upper stretch, but finished powerfully to be fourth. Winner of the 2013 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and that year's champion 3-year-old colt, Kizuna raced exclusively on the turf, but is the sire of G2 Godolphin Mile winner Bathrat Leon (Jpn), Teleos Bell (Jpn), a two-time listed winner on dirt, and Alice Verite (Jpn), who was a respectable fourth behind Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the Nov. 2 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. Kizuna's half-brother Sunday Break (Jpn) (Forty Niner) won the 2002 GII Peter Pan Stakes and was third in that year's GI Wood Memorial Stakes and GI Belmont Stakes for trainer Neil Drysdale. Natural Rise is the first winner from his dam, who was purchased in utero by Narvick International for $285,000 carrying the filly that would become Lady Madonna at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. His SW & GSP third dam Rebridled Dreams (Unbridled's Song) produced MGISW Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway), MGSW/GISP Farrell (Malibu Moon), GISW J. B.'s Thunder (Harlan's Holiday) and European SW & MGSP Doncaster Rover (War Chant). Lady Madonna has a yearling filly by Henny Hughes and a weanling filly by Le Vent Se Leve (Jpn). Saturday's Results: CATTLEYA STAKES (Alw), ¥30,400,000 ($196,414), Tokyo, 11-23, 2yo, 1600m, 1:36.4, gd. 1–NATURAL RISE (JPN), 123, c, 2, Kizuna (Jpn)–Lady Madonna (Jpn), by Distorted Humor. (¥33,000,000 Wlg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Hiroyuki Yoshioka; B-Grand Stud; T-Keizo Ito; J-Takeshi Yokoyama; ¥16,000,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $148,141. 2–Clay King (Jpn), 123, c, 2, Nadal–Queen Amaranthus (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Tenei Horse Park Ltd; T-Eiji Nakadate; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥6,400,000. 3–T O Elvis, 123, c, 2, Volatile–Stopshoppingdebbie, by Curlin. O-Tomoya Ozasa; B-Jeff & Melissa Prunzik (KY); T-Daisuke Takayanagi; J-Katsuma Sameshima; ¥4,000,000. Margins: 3/4, 1 3/4, 2. Odds: 2.60, 5.20, 15.20. The post Kizuna Colt Lands First Blow On Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Goffs chief Henry Beeby has lauded a memorable November Breeding Stock Sale that saw Godolphin pay €1 million for a Sea The Stars (Ire) colt in the foal session and Alex Elliott go to €725,000 for Shamardal mare Her Honour (Ire) in what proved to be an eventful Saturday at Kildare Paddocks. The curtain came down on the Breeding Stock Sale on Sunday, where the Kevin Prednergast-trained Profit Refused (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) led the way at €45,000 to Rochestown Lodge Stud. Gouache (Ger), the dam of Goliath (Ger), who was a €5 million buyback on Saturday, remains unsold but that high-profile disappointment couldn't detract from what was overall strong trade at Goffs, especially in the foal department. Beeby commented, “What a week. Goffs November 24 will be remembered in many ways but mostly for the frenetic, electric and superb trade for the cream of the Irish foal crop we presented in our Foal Sale. “As ever we are supremely grateful to every vendor for the ongoing trust that is placed in us with each entry. It gives us enormous pleasure to see so many being well rewarded, and we are excited to learn that several of the best foals are already pencilled in for the Orby Sale next year. That is a key point for us as we strive to provide a top of the market option for Irish breeders and vendors of yearlings. We have demonstrated time and again, and in so many different categories, that Goffs is the measure of any entity when we have the horses but, as we say so often, we're nothing without the horses. So, the commitment of several big pinhookers to return to Orby is significant and we are pleased that our long-standing Customer Loyalty Scheme is helpful in this respect.” He added, “Our Breeding Stock Sale was never going to come anywhere near last year's truly historic sale which, of course, was headlined by the once in a generation Niarchos Draft. However, leaving that aside we are perfectly content with trade for the better mares we offered and enjoyed a vibrant trade fuelled by a truly international buying bench. “Naturally we were disappointed not to secure a sale for Gouache, the dam of Goliath, but I repeat that we have total respect for the right of any vendor to value their stock as they see fit, and it is absolutely their prerogative to place whatever reserve they want and then let the market decide. On this occasion a sale was not possible although we will continue to work for the vendor, and it may be that a private sale is agreed in the coming days. Indeed, our work does not stop when the gavel falls as was clearly shown with yesterday's top lot, Her Honour as we quickly brokered a deal between vendor and the ultimate buyer at a price that suited both parties despite her not selling in the ring.” Concentrating solely on Sunday, Beeby acknowledged that a 79% clearance rate, €445,500 turnover, €7,816 average and €5,000 median was a “sobering” experience. He concluded, “Today was obviously a rather sobering end to a big week but, as throughout the sale, those that appealed were hard enough to buy and we will only redouble our efforts to persuade more to support the sale. This business can be brutal on occasions, but Irish breeders may rest assured that Goffs will not rest in our efforts to provide a vibrant global marketplace for them. That is what we live to do and what we love to do.” Given last year's sale featured the anomaly of the Niarchos dispersal, which saw Alpha Centauri and Alpine Star make €6 million apiece, Goffs released comparative figures omitting the Niarchos horses for the November Sale. The breeding stock section of the November Sale featured 126 more horses in 2023. And that's not including the Niarchos horses. On that metric, the turnover was down by 19% to €11,295,000, the average climbed 6% to €51,341 while the median rested at €725,000. Meanwhile, taking the entire November Sale as a whole and excluding the Niarchos draft again, the clearance rate was up by just 1% to 77%. Meanwhile, the turnover climbed 10% to €43,935,000, the average by 24% to €43,365 and the median by 23% to €27,000. The post “What A Week” – Beeby Lauds Memorable Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars SOARING BRONCO - R6 (12) Has raced without luck recently and can deliver here with Purton on board Jay Rooney SOARING BRONCO - R6 (12) Had plenty of excuses last time out but looks to get his chance today Jack Dawling FIRST LOVE - R8 (11) Penultimate start suggests there is more to come from this four-year-old Phillip Woo NEW FUTURE FOLKS - R3 (2) Has run well and looks ready to salute after a soft trial win in blinkers Shannon (Vincent Wong) SAVVY BRILLIANT - R9 (2) Scored well over this C&D last start and can repeat the dose Racing Post Online SOARING BRONCO - R6 (12) Had no clear run in the home straight last start and Purton takes the reins Tom Wood VOYAGE SAMURAI - R7 (12) In great form and should get the perfect run behind the speedView the full article

It was perhaps the decision of a lifetime for Judy Hicks when she famously went up to Kenny McPeek after he purchased Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) and asked if she could stay in for a small piece of the filly she bred. Just a year later, while still awaiting Thorpedo Anna's debut, Hicks went and made another similar arrangement. Hicks sold Thorpedo Anna's half-brother for $40,000–coincidentally the same price that 'Anna' had sold for–at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale. Afterwards, she approached Jake Ballis of Black Type Thoroughbreds and asked if she could retain a piece of the colt. Ballis agreed and the partnership that also included Swinbank Stables and Campeche Stables even let Hicks name the colt. She decided to call him McAfee, like the computer software program, as a nod to the colt's sire Cloud Computing. Hicks said that as a foal, McAfee was completely different from Thorpedo Anna. McAfee as a foal at Brookstown Farm | courtesy Judy Hicks “He was a great big colt,” Hicks explained. “He was almost solid black and was really gorgeous.” Sent to Rick Dutrow, McAfee showed promise from the start and made his debut at Churchill Downs in a six-furlong contest restricted for horses that sold or RNA'd for $50,000 or less on Nov. 1, just a day before Thorpedo Anna was scheduled to cap off a brilliant season in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. Tuning in from Del Mar, Hicks watched as McAfee sat off the pace, then shifted out going around the turn and picked off rivals in the stretch to win by over three lengths. “You should have heard the screaming from all my friends,” Hicks recalled with a laugh. “All the Thorpedo Anna people were going, 'Oh my God, her half-brother just broke his maiden.' It was amazing.” After putting in a bullet work going four furlongs in :46.80 on Nov. 18, McAfee will make his second start this weekend at Churchill Downs. The juvenile drew the inside post in Race 1, a one-mile $50,000 starter allowance on Sunday, Nov. 24. Hicks reported that if all goes well, the plan may be to send the colt to New York for a shot on the Kentucky Derby trail. A lot has to go right, but Hicks can't help daydreaming about making another trip to Churchill Downs on the first weekend in May. “The 'what if's' are crazy,” she said. Hicks also has a lot to look forward to in 2025 at Brookstown Farm, where Thorpedo Anna and McAfee were both foaled and raised (see video below). Their dam Sataves (Uncle Mo) is in foal to Gun Runner and is due in the middle of April. Hicks noted that she will be bred back to Curlin. Sataves's first foal Charlee O (Tourist) is expecting her first foal by Bolt d'Oro in March and she will then be bred to Good Magic. Sataves's most recent foal, a filly by Known Agenda, is also showing promise. “The weanling this year is absolutely stunning,” said Hicks. “I sent Kenny her picture and he said, 'Wow, she's got Anna's hind leg.' I told him that he had suggested that I sell her in September. He goes, 'Oh no, we're going to race that one.' So I really would love to run her. Not that I'll have another Anna, but who knows.” Hicks knows that she will likely never have another filly like Thorpedo Anna, a top contender for 2024 Horse of the Year who took her ownership group that also includes Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards and Magdalena Racing on an unforgettable journey this year from the GI Kentucky Oaks and two Grade I wins in Saratoga to a hard-fought victory in the GI Cotillion Stakes and a decisive score at the Breeders' Cup. “It's almost like it's routine,” Hicks admitted. “I told Kenny, 'When she's gone from our lives, there's going to be such a huge void.' I mean, it's almost like it's expected.” Thorpedo Anna at Magdalena Farm, which now offers tours through Visit Horse Country | Grace Clark-Sweet But for all of those trips to the winner's circle this year, Hicks said it was her gutsy runner-up performance against Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI Travers Stakes that she will remember most. “Just the anxiety and the thrill of the Travers, where everyone was rooting for her, that was a pretty incredible feeling,” Hicks said. Another favorite memory from Hicks's time in Saratoga was when she stopped in at Spring Street Deli, a Saratoga staple, and learned that a sandwich there had been named the Thorpedo Anna Sammie. Thorpedo Anna is currently enjoying a layoff at Kenny McPeek's Magdalena Farm and Hicks reported that the superstar filly is soaking in her time there. “She has a buddy named Cooper,” Hicks said. “She follows him around in the paddock like a puppy and then she puts her head down and grazes.” After her break, Thorpedo Anna will return to Fair Grounds and McPeek has laid out plans for a potential start in the GI Apple Blossom on April 12 at Oaklawn Park. Hicks is counting down the days. “I'm very proud and I'm kind of humbled by it,” she admitted. “I drive past the field where her mom is every day.” The post Thorpedo Anna’s Brother McAfee Looks to Win Two Straight for Hicks and Partners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article