Wandering Eyes

A deep nine-race card, including two stakes, kicks off opening day, Nov. 22, of the 153rd season of racing at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association issued the following "What's Racing Through Washington" update Nov. 21.View the full article

Although the future of the Golden State Racing (GSR) meet at Pleasanton wasn't officially on Thursday's California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) agenda, the reverberations of dismal betting business through the first five weeks of operation at Northern California's new anchor track became the impassioned focal point of the Nov. 21 meeting. Citing concerns that the autumn Pleasanton meet isn't living up to the hope that the former fairs-season-only track might help fill the NorCal void that occurred when The Stronach Group (TSG) closed Golden Gate Fields back in June, Aidan Butler, president of TSG's 1/ST business, implored stakeholders to reconsider variations on North-and-South purse funding, shipping, and stabling ideas that TSG and the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) first proposed a year ago in the belief that some form of a cooperative that didn't involve direct competition would be in the best long-term interests of the state's racing. Butler, who spoke extemporaneously and without a formal presentation, said he was trying to bring up ideas in an open forum because he's had enough of “looking at the abyss.” TSG also owns the financially struggling Santa Anita Park, which is set to open its winter/spring meet Dec. 26. Before Santa Anita's opening day next month, GSR will be back before the CHRB to seek dates for its 2025 season, which at times could end up running directly against Santa Anita and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, like it's doing now. “We're all fighting for our survival at the moment, and it's a tough position,” Butler said. When the CHRB voted 6-0 back in March to approve a 2024 dates package that established Pleasanton as the new crux of a Northern California circuit, it faced a difficult decision in trying to balance the desires of NorCal horsemen and a coalition of statewide breeders (who stressed the need for a semi-permanent venue to complement the North's traditional summer fairs season) with those of SoCal racetrack operators and the TOC (who advocated an alternate plan to consolidate all of California's commercial-track racing in the South, with the North only remaining open for fairs). That TSG-led concept had focused on redirecting simulcast revenue from the Northern circuit to the Southern tracks. It was based on a premise that would have attempted to accommodate displaced Golden Gate outfits by creating more opportunities for lower-level horses to race at Los Alamitos Race Course, dropping the “claiming floors” at both Santa Anita and Del Mar, and establishing “relocation allowances” for stables that had to pack up and move while only short summer fairs meets were conducted in NorCal. On Thursday, Butler didn't delve into specifics, but he made a desperate call for reopening the North/South dialogue in light of how poorly the Pleasanton meet's betting is going. “No one wanted the Northern horsemen, the Northern horses, or anyone up there to be in any distress,” Butler said. “A horse in the North, and horsemen in the North, [are] as valuable as any horse or horseman in the South, regardless of the price tag.” Butler reminded commissioners that when the CHRB didn't vote to adopt aspects of the plan backed by TSG, the TOC and Del Mar, his organization “didn't push ahead” with opposing the Pleasanton concept. “We stayed out of the way,” he said. Now fast-forward eight months, and with Pleasanton off to a rocky start, Butler said, “we find ourselves in a strange position now where everybody's failing. Every one of us. There is no great story coming out of this [and] this thing's a disaster. I don't worry about it from the company standpoint, [but rather] I worry about it from the thousands of employees who I look at every morning and stare at in the face knowing that they know this is no good.” Even Larry Swartzlander, the executive director for the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF), who has been instrumental in turning the Pleasanton plan into reality, didn't dispute Butler's portrayal of how the new NorCal meet was hurting, business-wise. “To give you a perspective on the meet at this point, we're entering our sixth week,” Swartzlander said. “We're 30% down in commissions. We expected 10%. That's unacceptable. “We have the horses,” Swartzlander said, noting that average field size at Pleasanton this meet (6.51) is right about where Golden Gate's number was (6.50) for the early part of 2024. “The horsemen are totally behind us [about] racing in the North. They're happy. Everybody's relocated to the Pleasanton area. The backside, the grooms have RVs. It's a very joyous background. Everybody's positive,” Swartzlander said. “Yet the unfortunate side, as Aidan pointed out, is we're all losing money. The handle is not there,” Swartzlander said. Butler put it this way: “Twenty million dollars is being sucked up into the North. The betting is an unmitigated disaster. [Customers are] still betting in the North the same as they always did on the South. That is not going the other way around. No one in the South really cares for the product, unfortunately. It doesn't mean no one tried, it doesn't mean they [didn't pull] out every stop to have a successful meet. So we're left in a really strange position here. What can we do?” Butler answered his own rhetorical question by bringing up concepts he said could be on the table for renewed discussions. “We have the ability to card races for the Northern horsemen and horses,” Butler said. “Point one, no one wants to relocate. I don't blame you–I don't want to relocate either. But let's just look at the facts. If they don't want to relocate, an option is, well, to cover all transportation costs. Point two, that's great. But then if you pull the horses out of the North, you've ruined the summer [fairs] meet, [which] the state needs. “So we're in this very delicate situation. But there is a fix [and] there is an opportunity to build a plan that works,” Butler said. “It will be suicide if we compete,” Butler continued. “No one will win. No one's winning now. “So I would ask [if] the CHRB could speak with the powers that be in the North and bring everybody to the table in short order [and] see if there is something to be worked out,” Butler said. “Because my intent, come [Santa Anita's opening day] is not to continue this madness, and just to go forward with what I believe is best for my employees, my horsemen, and California racing.” CHRB chairman Gregory Ferraro, DVM, urged the North/South parties to take the next step and sit down to negotiate. “It needs to be said that if our efforts to sustain some sort of racing in Northern California [fail], we could very well take down the entire state of racing,” Ferraro said. “To try to come up with an alternate plan that has a better chance of being successful, I think it's in everyone's interest. We have a big enough problem with our purse structure as it is, let alone trying to compete against each other. So if you can make this work, all the more power to you. It gives the board another option to pursue,” Ferraro said. Back in March, when the commission greenlighted the Pleasanton meet, CHRB vice-chair Oscar Gonzales had said that even if the NorCal interests got what they wanted out of the vote, they, too, had to realize that SoCal does need some form of cooperation and financial help. He said at that time that the decision should be “an opportunity to reset [and] the start of mending fences.” On Thursday Gonzales said that even though he counts himself among the North's “bigger proponents,” he also believes California racing should now be thinking along the lines of one unified circuit, albeit one that doesn't just include summer fairs meetings in NorCal without an anchoring track to keep North viable the rest of the year. Commissioner Dennis Alfieri said that, “With ideas like this, [Butler is] thinking out of the box. We are very concerned. None of us want–the whole industry–we don't want to see the North fail. And with the horsemen here, [this] is their livelihood. But we also have to look at the reality and face the facts.” Commissioner Brenda Washington Davis said that, “I want to express appreciation for putting this idea out on the table, [but] I would just caution that [we] don't get too wedded to doing it one way, because the North may have some other ideas, and hopefully it will be a collaboration.” Prompted by the CHRB for his proposed timing on any North/South pow-wow, Butler said, “The holidays are all upon us and the North's [2025 dates] application is coming up in December. This needs to move quite quickly, [so] we can put a presentation together pretty quickly, circulate it, and then let's just get all on Zoom calls and let's just start to have a conversation if there is a reality here. I think there is. I think it saves us all a lot of gray hair, and maybe makes Christmas a lot more fun for the people who are genuinely worried about [the future].” Swartzlander, who told the commission that Butler had briefed him on Wednesday night about what TSG planned to propose at Thursday's CHRB meeting, said that he will be open to having discussions with Butler and other parties, because he believes that “something has to be done.” Yet Swartzlander also said that while he didn't want to “dampen” enthusiasm for the TSG-backed ideas, he made it clear that other concepts, like pursuing the legalization of historical horse racing or fantasy sports gaming, might be better ways to supplement purses at Pleasanton. “Is there a way to reorganize within the state of California, North and South? Sure,” Swartzlander said. “We race too much in the North. I'm sorry, we do. I'm not going to speak for the South. Is there a plan that we could come to that is not a total separation of racing to the South but a partial, so that we can both work together? We're certainly open to that.” Swartzlander said the CARF board meets Dec. 10 to discuss its position for 2025, and that the “door is open” to meet with stakeholders “to discuss this offline before we come to the CHRB.” But, Swartzlander cautioned, “We're pursuing a [Pleasanton] license for 2025. Money can be found, and that's my position.” Butler made a final plea for thinking about the whole-state future of California racing. “I'm not prepared not to fight at this point,” Butler said. “The game in this state deserves it. The game country-wide deserves it. I think all of us, if we just stop looking at what's going on today, and for the next meet, and look at the future, we're really in trouble.” The post Fearful of ‘Abyss’ Between Cali’s North/South Rift, Stronach Group’s Butler Renews Call for Negotiations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Air Assault. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Having secured the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) with Goldrush Guru just over two weeks ago, trainer Andrew Gluyas and owner-breeder Harry Perks will target another major prize this Saturday with Air Assault in the Cranbourne Cup. The four-year-old gelding, a son of Justify, notched his sixth stakes victory last start with a convincing win in the Listed John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville. That performance has earned him a spot in the $500,000 Cranbourne contest, with Gluyas confident the gelding is ready to step up. “He had a few hiccups after the Balaklava Cup (on September 11). The Moonga Stakes at Caulfield was the fork in the road for us as to whether we would go to the Golden Eagle,” Gluyas told Racing.com. “But he raced on the pace from a wide draw, and the way they raced didn’t suit him. The track wasn’t his cup of tea either. “He showed he’s still keen to race (at Morphettville). He’s now won two stakes races this time in, and it was a good effort by him, so he deserves a chance at a race like this.” Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Brendan Walsh is hopeful that a return to Churchill Downs Nov. 28 for the $300,000 Cardinal Stakes (G3T) will help two-time graded stakes winner Implicated return to form.View the full article

Territory Express. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Jason Collett is set to reunite with the Paul Niceforo-trained Territory Express in The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday. The jockey knows it will take both good fortune and a sharp steer to guide the five-year-old gelding back to the winner’s circle. “Early days, I rode him a few times, and his racing pattern hasn’t changed,” Collett admitted. “He is still slow out of the gates, and he gets into tricky positions due to that. But when he gets the luck, he can get out of them. “He’s got mountains of class, but he’s difficult to always get right. “All the work they’ve done hasn’t been able to change it, so obviously that’s him, and we have to work with that.” Territory Express has recently struggled to capitalise on his talent, finishing narrowly beaten in the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) after getting too far back and running a similar race in the Five Diamonds (1500m). On Saturday, he will jump from barrier seven, with Collett aiming to maximise the gelding’s undeniable potential. Territory Express is $6.50 hope with BlondeBet for The Gong. Horse racing news View the full article

Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday. Noble trains privately for Cambridge Stud at Karaka and has collected six wins so far this season, headed by a dominant performance by Luberon in last month’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua. That came the day after the Lindsays won the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa with the Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained Snazzytavi. That winning sequence continued in last Saturday’s Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m), which was won by up-and-comer Bella Waters for trainers Moira and Kieran Murdoch. Those racing successes have been backed up on the stallion front by the likes of Hello Youmzain, who sired his first southern hemisphere at Bendigo earlier this month, and Almanzor with Mehzebeen’s Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) and Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) double in Christchurch. “It’s been a really good spring for the Cambridge Stud-owned racehorses as well as the stallions,” Noble said. “Our own team has been going well, and it’s been great to see the big wins for other stables like Moira with Bella Waters and Richie with Snazzytavi as well. It’s always good to see the colours flying high. “I think we’re heading to Pukekohe on Saturday with a nice team of horses that can all be very competitive, and hopefully they might keep this good run going. But it’s a big day of racing and they don’t give these prizes away.” Luberon will shoot for back-to-back feature sprint wins when she lines up in Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m). The daughter of Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish will carry minimum weight with 53kg against a line-up that includes Group One winners Crocetti and Waitak along with multiple elite placegetter Babylon Berlin. “She’s been doing very well since the Sweynesse,” Noble said. “I’ve been deliberately keeping her races quite widely spaced out, because that’s the way she seems to perform best. She’s trained on really well and trialled nicely about 10 days ago. “I’m looking forward to seeing how she goes on Saturday. There are some quality horses in that line-up, but I think she can be competitive from where she is in the handicap. She’s very, very well.” Stablemate Terra Mitica will carry that same 53kg impost in Saturday’s Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m). The Irish-bred daughter of Ulysses was a winner over the course and 2100m last December, and she was a last-start third placegetter in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie behind El Vencedor and Wolfgang. “The Counties Cup has come up a really even line-up, and with the topweight (No Compromise) compressing the remainder of the weights, I think you can make a case for a lot of runners,” Noble said. “But I’ve been happy with the way this mare built into this campaign, and she’s a previous winner at the course and distance, so I think it’s a good race to be targeting with her and I expect her to run a good race.” The Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) is a big step up in class for Jaarffi, who has won four of her 11 career starts to date including a stylish last-start victory in an open handicap at Ellerslie on October 26. “This is a step up in class, but she definitely deserves a shot at a race like this,” Noble said. “She hasn’t done much wrong in her whole career, and she has just kept getting better with age. La Crique and Campionessa are the benchmark horses here, and if she can hold her own against them, that will set her up nicely for some other nice targets around Christmas.” Noble also has two runners on Saturday’s undercard. Last season’s Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) winner About Time will line up in the Skycity Horizon (1600m), while last-start Rating 65 winner Frostfair steps up into Rating 75 company for the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Qualifier (1400m). “About Time has just taken a few runs this time in, but I’m happy with the way she’s progressing,” Noble said. “She’s another one that has won at this track previously, and I think she can run a good race over 1600m. “Frostfair has never been out of the first four in her career. She won very nicely last start and has trained on well. She’s quite a promising mare.” View the full article

The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000. The five-year-old daughter of Reliable Man was bought as a weanling by owner Morrie Paskell for $2,000 off gavelhouse.com, and she has more than rewarded his faith, with her quintet of victories highlighted by the $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) at Wingatui in March. She also featured prominently in the TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) a month later at Riccarton where she finished fourth in the $350,000 feature. The Grey Goose was having her first start since that run when victorious at Wingatui over 1400m earlier this month, and trainer Jo-Ann Gordon has been duly impressed with the way she has returned. “It was the perfect run for her. When they straightened up, she got a lovely run through, and she has come through her run fine,” Gordon said. The Grey Goose will compete over 1400m once more at Ascot Park on Sunday, however, Gordon does hold concerns about running over the distance on her home track. “Invercargill is a bit of a concern as they tend to run off the front and she does get back. There are no Open Miles and 1400m is just a bit short for her,” she said. While The Grey Goose has only competed up to a mile to date, Gordon is looking forward to testing her over more ground over summer. “Her long-term plan is to have a crack at that southern staying series after Christmas and it is looking like she will get the distance fine,” she said. Gordon said she will continue to race her mare sparingly, with that formula having paid dividends to date. “She is a nice horse and I think she will keep improving,” Gordon said. “She is still a bit weak and we are looking after her brain, that is why I race her sparingly. It is nothing to do with lameness issues, I just like to space her races to keep her brain right.” Gordon is also heading to Ascot Park with plenty of confidence in the chances of stablemate Polly’s Guru, who has finished runner-up in each of his two starts. The five-year-old gelding will be vying to go one better in the Windsor New World (1600m), where he will jump from barrier 10 with Rohan Mudhoo aboard. “He is just racing very green,” Gordon said. “Last start he strolled up to the lead and didn’t know what to do once he got there. He waited for the other one, which wasn’t ideal. “He is learning all the time and would have learnt a lot from that last race. He will have one more start and then go for a break. He is a big horse, 18 hands, and he needs to get a bit stronger. “We are very happy with what he has done so far. He has drawn 10, which is a better draw for him, he is better off out there being such a big horse.” Stablemate Small Town Belle is another who has assumed the bridesmaid’s tag in her last two outings and will be looking to improve in the Ryal Bush Transport & Wayne “Ox” McEwan Memorial (1600m). “Small Town Belle has been going well,” Gordon said. “She ran wide turning for home last time, which cost her. She found the line really well, so it’s nice to know that she is not one dimensioned, it looks like she can run home from a bit further back.” Gordon will also be represented by No Bouquet in the Hen Batt & Son & Farmers Dipping (1200m), Signwriter in the Advance Agriculture & Sinclair Transport (1400m), and David Moss in the Wreys Bush Farm & Nightcaps Contracting (1600m). “No Bouquet is really well, but she is over 1200m and has drawn one,” Gordon said. “I imagine she is going to get flushed out the back because she tends to race behind and finish strong. She is going to need a lot of luck but if she gets that luck, I think she will be a good show, it is the best we have ever had her. “We have been disappointed with Signwriter, but we are going to ride him cold and see if he improves. He has only had two goes and they have both been on very heavy tracks and we feel he needs a better surface. “David Moss is really well and worked well during the week. 1600m fresh-up is a big ask, but we are happy with the horse.” View the full article

Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday. The Te Akau trainers will have five contenders in the main events on the card with Snitzel colts To Bravery Born and Return To Conquer first cabs off the rank in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m). The former has already given a taste of his talent with a debut victory to his credit while Return To Conquer has displayed rich potential with an unbeaten trial record. “To Bravery Born has got the race day experience and he was very good at Wanganui and we gave him a short break after that,” Bergerson said. “He has come back in really good order and has had a quiet trial, he is very professional and knows what it’s all about. He has certainly gone the right way since that win.” To Bravery Born will be partnered from the inside gate by Michael McNab while his stablemate will be alongside in barrier two with Wiremu Pinn in the saddle. “Return To Conquer has been impressive at the trials and we’ve always thought a lot of him,” Bergerson said. “To go first-up in a stakes race is a bit of a gamble, but he is more than capable and certainly on his work we think he will be a really strong winning chance. “They are hard to split because they have had different preparations, but off the trackwork you would probably lean to Return To Conquer, we think he is pretty sharp.” Te Akau will also be double handed in the Gr.3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m) with Cognito and Qali Al Farrasha to go head-to-head. “We think they are both nice each way chances, but unfortunately they have both drawn out so they will probably go back,” Bergerson said. “Cognito has the runs on the board this prep to get him up in trip, which he’s always wanted. “He has been hitting the line strongly and the step up to 2100m will suit and he’s performed well at Pukekohe before, he just needs a bit of luck from the barrier.” The son of So You Think has placed in his last two starts over a mile while Qali Al Farrasha successfully resumed over 1400m and then finished runner-up over 1600m. “Her first two runs in have been good and we’ve had to jump her up quickly whereas Cognito has a few more miles in his legs, but in saying that she is very talented.” Top quality mare Campionessa will attempt to defend her title in the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), having been freshened since her last-start fourth in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m). “Her trackwork has been really good and we took her to Te Aroha last week for an exhibition gallop just to keep her ticking over,” Bergerson said. “We’re excited to see her back at the races and she’s got a nice barrier (four) so she should be able to position in behind the speed or forward of midfield. “She gets in well under the conditions and we think class will take her a long way, whether the 1400m is too sharp we’ll see and La Crique looks the obvious one to beat on paper.” The stable is also well-represented at Wanganui where Bergerson believed Discretion Rules and Quintefeuille in the Function Centre 3YO (1200m) give them their best chance of success. “They are probably our best two and again, hard to split with their trial form but we lean toward Discretion Rules,” he said. “He’s experienced and was obviously a stakes winner down south.” The son of Alabama Express hasn’t raced since he claimed last season’s Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton and, like Quintefeuille, has had three trials to fit him for his return. View the full article

Ipswich-based apprentice Olivia Kendal aboard Ankle Rolex for Darwin trainer Patrick Johnston before they combined to seal victory at Fannie Bay last December. (Picture: Caroline Camilleri – Fotofinish Racepix) After getting a win during her first and only appearance in Darwin last December, Ipswich apprentice Olivia Kendal hopes to repeat the dose on debut at Alice Springs on Saturday. Kendal will feature in five of the six races, with the form guide suggesting the 26-year-old could achieve success. Terry Gillett’s Great Buy and Floral Code as well as Kevin Lamprecht’s Down The Wicket are strong contenders, and the fact that Kendal can claim 3kg enhances her prospects. “Terry seems confident about Great Buy, who is first up after a spell,” she said. “Kevin’s horse has nice Victorian form, but it’s racing in Alice for the first time on a different surface. “When I was in Darwin, I had a good day — a winner, a second and a third from five rides. “I’ve had a couple of injuries since then, but I’m looking forward to returning to the NT. “Getting the experience to ride the opposite way is probably a big highlight. “It’s a different style of racing up there, I’ve been asked to go up a couple of times. “To adapt to the type of racing wherever I go is really a key attribute to have as a jockey.” Days before heading to Darwin, Kendal broke her thumb following a fall at Rockhampton. Not long after making her return from that injury, she broke her collarbone following another fall at Townsville in April. Injury has sidelined Kendal on five occasions, with the apprentice estimating she has only spent 14 months in the saddle since making her debut at Gatton in May 2021. “Terry called me on Monday night about riding in Alice, I made the decision to go after all the rain we’ve had here in south-east Queensland,” Kendal said. “I probably would have ridden at Toowoomba on Saturday, but they’re basically guaranteed to race in Alice.” Based at Wanora — 18km north of Ipswich — Kendal has no issue travelling and enjoyed a win at Rockhampton on Tuesday. “I love it here, it’s a really good spot,” she said. “I’m pretty central, close to Toowoomba, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, while Gatton, Kilcoy, Beaudesert, Warwick and Esk aren’t far away.” Gold Coast jockey Wanderson D’Avila, who had three wins and a second on his Darwin debut on Melbourne Cup Day before sealing another win at Fannie Bay last Saturday, also rides at Alice Springs for the first time this weekend. He has six rides, with Ray Viney’s stablemates Sabie Falls, Isolyfe and Duty his best hopes. With NT jockeys Stan Tsaikos, Ianish Luximon and Aaron Sweeney suspended, Wangaratta apprentice Jessica Booth and Adelaide apprentice Monika Wolanin return for the Alice Springs meeting. Horse racing news View the full article

As is customary on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, the $400,000 Falls City Stakes (G3) is on the wagering menu at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/8-mile race features two fillies coming off victories in grade 2 company: Tarifa and Musical Mischief.View the full article

While purses for both the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Santa Anita Handicap (G1) were reduced, the purses for overnight races are greater than what was offered last spring and autumn, with allowance and maiden races increasing by more than 10%.View the full article

What Alice Springs Races Where Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 When Saturday, November 23, 2024 First Race 2:17pm ACST Visit Dabble It’s the off-season, but the Alice Springs Turf Club continues to attract good numbers, with 57 horses accepting for a highly competitive six-race meeting on Saturday. It’s been hot and sunny all week; however, showers and a possible storm with a top temperature of 38C is the forecast for Saturday. Pioneer Park will be a dry dirt surface and the rail will be in the true position. BEST BET AT ALICE SPRINGS: O’Tycoon O’Tycoon, a former Sydneysider, debuted in the Alice on October 6 and has impressed in 0-70 grade. He wasn’t far off the pace first up over 1100m before tiring over the final 100m to finish fifth. The five-year-old gelding rattled home from the back three weeks ago to finish a narrow second over 1200m. Sharing the lead over 1100m a fortnight ago, the son of Written Tycoon kicked clear at the 500m to win by 4.5 lengths. He drops 3.5kg and from barrier two, O’Tycoon is a serious threat. Best Bet Race 1 – #3 O’Tycoon (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Sonja Logan (57kg) Bet with BlondeBet NEXT BEST AT ALICE SPRINGS: Floral Code Floral Code had done little wrong before fading to finish sixth over 1200m at 0-66 level on November 2. The former Queenslander was fifth on his NT debut against Class 2 over 1200m in late June before the four-year-old gelding found his mojo against similar opposition. Two seconds and a fourth was followed by a comprehensive win by five lengths over 1100m on October 27. Floral Code is worthy of another chance, and a 3kg claim helps. Next Best Race 4 – #4 Floral Code (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Terry Gillett | J: Olivia Kendal (a3) (59kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE AT ALICE SPRINGS: Nasha Nasha hasn’t won in nine Red Centre starts, but the six-year-old mare came close three weeks ago when finishing second over 1400m in 0-64 grade. Last in the six-horse field, the daughter of Vancouver powered home and was half a length adrift of the winner. That followed two fourths over 1400m at BM54 and 0-58 level after returning from a five-month spell in September. The extra 200m and 55kg could help get the former Queenslander over the line at a nice price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 6 – #3 Nasha (5) 6yo Mare | T: Barry Cooke | J: Paul Denton (55kg) Bet with Unibet Alice Springs Saturday quaddie tips – 23/11/2024 Fannie Bay quadrella selections Saturday, November 23, 2024 1-2-3-4 3-4-6 1-2-3-5 1-2-3 Horse racing tips View the full article

Last year's GIII Iroquois Stakes winner West Saratoga (Exaggerator–Mo Wicked, by Uncle Mo), who also has placed in three black-type events in 2024 and started in the GI Kentucky Derby, has been catalogued to the Inglis Digital USA December Sale. Bidding will take place Wednesday, Dec. 4, beginning at 2 p.m. ET, with subsequent listings closing in three-minute increments. West Saratoga and his trainer, Larry Demeritte, were featured last year on TDNtv. “I've always felt great about this horse–he has all the attributes of a top competitor,” Demeritte told Inglis Digital USA. “He's laid back but gives his all when asked, is straightforward, sound, and never misses a meal. He's beaten some of the best 3-year-olds in the country, including Seize the Grey twice, and I've always geared him toward a strong 4-year-old campaign. “Even after tough races like the Kentucky Derby, he bounced back perfectly, which is why I believe he'll be one of the top 4-year-olds in the country. Unfortunately, due to my health, I have to let him go, but I'm confident he'll bring success and joy to his next connections.” West Saratoga has been nominated to the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, which will be held Feb. 22. “West Saratoga has plenty of upside going forward, with the potential to compete in some of the world's biggest races,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Liza Hendriks. “His profile makes him an exciting prospect for any owner looking to make an immediate impact domestically or internationally.” Bred by Two Hearts Farm II LLC and campaigned by Harry L. Veruchi, West Saratoga currently has a record of 13-2-5-1 and earnings of $473,418. In addition to his Iroquois win, the 3-year-old gray has also placed in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks, the GIII Sam F. Davis Stakes, and the Pasco Stakes. Entries for the Inglis Digital USA December Sale will remain open through Monday, Nov. 25, with the catalogue released Friday, Nov. 29. To enter a horse or to register as a bidder, visit inglisdigitalusa.com. The post Inglis Digital USA December Sale to Feature GSW West Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a Dubawi (Ire) full-brother to a Group 1 winner. 4.40 Newcastle, Novice, £6,300, 2yo, 7f 14y (AWT) LEMURIAN (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the latest juvenile with major potential to make up part of the Gosdens' winter arsenal, being a full-brother to the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes heroine Journey (GB). The 13th foal out of George Strawbridge's G1 Prix Royal-Oak winner Montare (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), the homebred is also a full-brother to the G2 May Hill Stakes winner and G1 Fillies' Mile runner-up Indigo Girl (GB) and the G2 Park Hill Stakes scorer Mimikyu (GB). The post Journey’s Brother Debuts At Newcastle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. can add another significant milestone to his resume by becoming the first rider to lead Gulfstream Park's Championship Meet jockey standings for a sixth season.View the full article

Multiple group 1 winner City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier Awards the night of Nov. 20 at a lavish ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London. View the full article

Grade 2 heroine Garde De Burge (Fr) (Fr) (lot 752), in foal to Jigme (Ire), topped Thursday's Arqana Autumn National Hunt and Breeding Stock Sale when selling to Guy Petit for €160,000. Out of listed winner Tornada (Fr) (Ballingarry {Ire}) herself a half-sister to listed winner and Group 1-placed Martator (Fr) (Martaline {GB}), the mare was carrying her first foal. She was consigned by Haras de l'Hotellerie. “I've bought her for one of my clients and she'll stay in France,” said the agent. “She's a group winner, from a great family and carrying her first foal by Jigme, a very talented racehorse. We're very happy.” A total of 129 horses sold from 190 offered (68%) for a gross of €2,636,500 (-23%) on Thursday. The average was €20,438 (-18%) and the median was €10,000 (-23%). “The 2024 Autumn Sale has now concluded for another year after taking place in rather unusual weather conditions,” the sales company said in a statement. “The sale is the major National Hunt event at the end of the year, with different sectors of horses on offer. As far as the National Hunt-bred yearlings are concerned, we were fortunate to have a great selection as well as our regular buyers who once again made the trip to Deauville. Demand was nevertheless very selective, with the percentage of horses sold at 63%, which was below our expectations. The average price held up well, remaining above €30,000. We still saw some great bidding battles over the most attractive profiles, with five yearlings selling for €100,000 or more and a top price of €255,000 for a son of Galiway (GB) that will stay in France. “As for the stores, the vendors were realistic and adapted to the market, which was more guarded than we have seen in the past. A total of 83% of the horses offered were sold for an average price that dropped significantly compared to 2023. “We had quite strong years in 2022 and 2023 for the horses-in-training section. We're back to a turnover of nearly €4.8 million, on a par with 2021, with fairly strong demand for good profiles that are capable of continuing their careers in Australia, the United States or at winter meetings in the Middle East, such as Newlook (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), sold for €480,000 to an Australian syndicate, and Elbaz (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), that made over €200,000 to the United States. There were also some good jumps prices, including [AQPS] Jet Blue (Fr) (Martaline {GB}), which sold for €220,000. Nevertheless, we were short of these very good profiles in the face of very selective demand. “Lastly, on the breeding side, the day's sales were in line with the yearling sales over the last two days, with buyers being highly selective and therefore creating strong demand for the very good profiles, such as the top priced foal of the day, a son of Saint Des Saints out of a Group 1 winner that sold for €120,000. For the mares, the percentage sold remained relatively high, approaching 75%, with some good prices for young mares that were good racemares themselves and/or with good coverings, like our top price, a winner of the Prix Bournosienne in foal to Jigme that sold for €160,000. The post Garde De Burge, In Foal To Jigme, Tops Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Havana Grey (GB)'s Cuban Tiger (GB) brought a sale-topping 72,000gns from FMQ Stables to top the Tattersalls Online November Sale on Thursday. Consigned by Spigot Lodge Stables, lot 29 is out of Shirley's Kitten (Kitten's Joy) and won the Listed Burradon Stakes in March. Karl Burke's operation also offered lot 43, Imperial Sovereign (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). The 3-year-old gelding sold to Philip Kirby for 49,000gns. He is out of G1 Prix Saint-Alary third Imperial Charm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). A breeding right in Sergei Prokofiev (lot 195) brought 31,000gns on the bid of Heather Raw. The first-season sire has 24 winners to his credit, while a breeding right in Group 1 sire Ardad (Ire) (lot 194) was snapped up for 27,000gns by Two Clicks Bloodstock. Of the 197 horses catalogued, 181 were offered and 77 were sold (43%). The gross was 602,300gns, while the average was 7,822gns and the median was 2,600gns. Tattersalls Online Sales manager Katherine Sheridan said, “We witnessed a record number of entries this month and the continued growth of our Tattersalls Online monthly sales reflects the trust and confidence of our vendors, for which we are very grateful. The catalogue received strong support from England, Ireland and France and attracted a diverse collection of buyers both domestically and internationally. The top-priced lot, as well as many others in the sale, being purchased for international connections highlights the unique reach of Tattersalls Online in this market. We now look forward to the Tattersalls Online December Sale which will feature the highly anticipated Southern Hemisphere Session.” The post Cuban Tiger Roars At Tattersalls Online November Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Globetrotting wunderkind Equinox (Jpn), his sire Kitasan Black (Jpn) and Kizuna (Jpn) co-lead the Shadai Stallion Station roster at ¥20,000,000 (€123,497) apiece next year. Equinox, who has his first foals arriving next year, and Kitasan Black (11 stakes winners) have had their fees remain at their 2024 levels, while Kizuna has had his fee increased from €12,000,000. The last-named horse has fired in 14 stakes winners in 2024 alone, among them G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese St Leger) hero Justin Milano (Jpn). Right under the leading trio is Japanese Triple Crown Winner Contrail (Jpn) at ¥18,000,000 (€111,158). His first 2-year-olds will grace the racecourse in 2025. He stood for ¥15,000,000 in 2024. Japanese Champion First-Season Sire Suave Richard (Jpn) remains at ¥15,000,000 (€92,631). His first crop now features G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese Fillies St Leger) hero Urban Chic (Jpn), who struck on Oct. 20. Epiphaneia (Jpn) has been trimmed from ¥15,000,000 to ¥12,000,000 (€74,105) after a year that featured seven stakes winners, four of them at Group 1 level including Classic winners Danon Decile (Jpn) and Stellenbosch (Jpn). A trio of Shadai stallions are priced at ¥10,000,000 (€61,752)–first-season sires Saturnalia (Jpn) (22 winners from 66 runners) and Nadal (25 winners from his first 58 runners), and Group 1 sire Lord Kanaloa (Jpn). The full 31-horse roster and fees are as follows: Stallion Fee (¥) Admire Mars (Jpn) 5,000,000 Equinox (Jpn) 20,000,000 Isla Bonita (Jpn) 2,000,000 Epiphaneia (Jpn) 12,000,000 Efforia (Jpn) 4,000,000 Orfevre (Jpn) 3,500,000 Kizuna (Jpn) 20,000,000 Kitasan Black (Jpn) 20,000,000 Chrysoberyl (Jpn) 2,500,000 Grenadier Guards (Jpn) 1,500,000 Contrail (Jpn) 18,000,000 Saturnalia (Jpn) 10,000,000 Satono Crown (Jpn) 1,500,000 Salios (Jpn) 2,000,000 Siskin 3,000,000 Schnell Meister (Ger) 3,500,000 Suave Richard (Jpn) 15,000,000 Danon Kingly (Jpn) 1,500,000 Drefong 5,000,000 Nadal 10,000,000 New Year's Day 2,000,000 Harbinger (GB) Private Bricks And Mortar 4,000,000 Poetic Flare (Ire) Private Hot Rod Charlie 1,500,000 Mind Your Biscuits 2,000,000 Maurice (Jpn) 8,000,000 Le Vent Se Leve (Jpn) 2,500,000 Rulership (Jpn) 4,000,000 Rey De Oro (Jpn) 2,500,000 Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) 10,000,000 The post Shadai Trio Of Equinox, Kitasan Black And Kizuna Lead 2025 Roster At ¥20 Million (€123,497) Apiece appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While purses for both the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Santa Anita Handicap (G1) were reduced, the purses for overnight races are greater than what was offered last spring and autumn, with four allowance and maiden races increasing by more than 10%.View the full article

By Jonny Turner Mark Hurrell heads to Invercargill armed and ready to make the most of his chances. With several catch drives, the reinsman has a big book of drives filled with winning chances. Hurrell had several options to choose from when asked to rate his best winning hope but he eventually settled on one of those catch drives in the Kirstin Green-trained Bubble Me in Race 1, The American Ideal ‘The Legacy Lives on Forever’ Mobile Pace (3.52pm). “I thought her last run was pretty good, she copped a bit of pressure and still managed to run a decent last half (800m).” “She has plenty of gate speed and I thought she might be hard to catch.” Hurrell also links up with the Green trained Emily, who is coming in off a last-start mistake at Ashburton. The usually reliable trotter looks like a decent top-four threat back in her home province on Friday. “She gets a nice head-start on the back markers, if it was 2200m I would be more confident.” “Over 2700m, she is pretty honest and I would think she’s a top-four chance.” Hurrell combines with three of his regular drives from the Greg Hunter stable on Friday in First Light, It’s A Pleasure and Beach Day. Early betting suggests First Light is in a head-to-head matchup with Always Ticking. “She has beaten Always Ticking a couple of times earlier in the year.” “But Always Ticking went a pretty good race at Wyndham last week.” “I was a little bit disappointed in First Light’s last second, but On The Wing is no mug and she did a little bit of work early.” “I would say she will head forward again and give her her chance.” The classy Beach Day resumes at Ascot Park after producing outstanding winter form. While there is no doubting the mare’s class, she does give away a race fitness advantage to her rivals. “I am picking she will benefit from the run, but she has gone real good fresh before. “But that has been down in the grades, not against these horses” “She is still a chance though, because she is a nice horse.” “Five is probably a niggly enough draw first up because she will probably settle behind the main chances.” It’s A Pleasure also returns to racing, starting fresh up for the Hunter stable on Friday. “She will probably benefit from the run too and from the draw she is going to need a bit of luck.” “But she is a nice filly and she will do a great job once she gets a bit of racing under her belt.” Hurrell reunites with Robyns Playboy who he has driven at various points in his fantastic career. The veteran looks to land in a winnable race on the back of a strong last-start fourth at Wyndham. “All the better chances have drawn outside me, so it might be a good chance to put him in the race and see whether he can finish it off.” “But we will see how things pan out.” Another veteran in Friendly Eyre looks the outsider of Hurrell’s strong book of drives. View the full article

In this series, we will have a look at American-bred first-time juvenile starters (through the end of 2024) and debuting 3-year-olds in maiden races at the tracks of the Emirates Racing Authority, with a specific focus on pedigree and/or performance in a sales ring. The flagship venue for racing in the United Arab Emirates is Meydan Racecourse, which will host racing predominantly on Fridays, with the exception of Super Saturday Mar. 1 and Dubai World Cup night Apr. 5, 2025. Here are the horses of interest for the Friday program at Meydan: 2nd-MEY, AED165,000, Maiden, NH2yo/SH3yo, 1200m Jockey Danny Tudhope is off to a fast start in the Emirates this season, with eight wins, and first-time starter AFRICAN CANDY (Twirling Candy) looks capable of adding to that total. The Mar. 15 foal is the latest to race from his dam Rosalind (Broken Vow), dead-heat winner of the 2014 GI Ashland Stakes and later a Grade III winner and Grade I-placed on the turf. A half-brother to MSP Chanceaux (Speightstown), the bay–a running-on fifth and not beaten far after a slow break in an Oct. 30 trial (see below)–was purchased by Willie Browne for $200,000 at Keeneland September last fall and was sold on for €190,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale this past May. The colt's younger siblings have also been well received commercially, as the yearling half-sister by Tapit made $500,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga this summer, while the weanling half-brother by Quality Road sold for $425,000 at Keeneland November. Also getting home well in the Oct. 30 trial was Undefeated (Vekoma), a $90,000 KEESEP yearling turned $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic purchase who now resides in the barn of Dubai World Cup-winning trainer Bhupat Seemar. Malhouf (Authentic), a half-brother to SW Kowboy Karma (Kodiak Kowboy), is the most expensive auction purchase in this seven-strong field, having brought $300,000 from trainer Michael Costa on behalf of Jebel Ali Stables at KEESEP last fall. The colt's SW & MGSP second dam Alyssum (Storm Cat) was a daughter of champion Althea (Alydar). This is the female family of Arch, Acoma, Balletto (UAE), et al. The post Desert Debuters: Twirling Candy Son Of Rosalind Can Give Tudhope Another appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, November 22. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Moonee Valley. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – November 22, 2024 Moonee Valley Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on November 22, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Recommended! Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 4 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 5 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 6 Next Gen Racing Betting pickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Calumet Farm's Mixto is looking to stir the pot once more when he lines up against five other rivals in the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) Nov. 23 at Del Mar. View the full article