Wandering Eyes

Camelot (GB)'s Los Angeles (Ire) is likely to contest the G1 Irish Champion Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend alongside Aidan O'Brien stablemates August Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Luxemborg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), O'Brien revealed on Monday. The master of Ballydoyle also outlined plans for other runners from his stable for the mid-September meeting. Five-for-six in his young career, with a third in the G1 Derby followed by victories in the G1 Irish Derby and G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes in June and August, respectively, Los Angeles faces a tough ask in the 1 1/4-mile Leopardstown affair on Sept. 14. He is also entered in the G1 St Leger Stakes at Doncaster that same day. “It looks like at the moment Los Angeles is going to run,” said O'Brien. “We had it in our head going to York that we might go that way and that was the reason for doing it. “We thought he's the kind of horse that could finish in the first three, four or five in a [Irish] Champion Stakes and could go onto an Arc. That's what we still think and if the ground got soft in France he'd have no problem with that. “Obviously we were delighted with his run in York. We could go to the Leger with him, but we have three others [by Galileo (Ire)] that look like real Leger horses (Illinois {Ire}, Jan Brueghel {Ire} and Grosvenor Square {Ire}) that will get the trip very well and we didn't think that he needs to go that trip. “It definitely won't do him any harm to run over a mile and a quarter and we'll learn a lot about him. He could be an Arc horse and I'd say there's no doubt he'll stay in training next year.” In 2023, Derby/Irish Derby winner Auguste Rodin used a win in the Irish Champion as a springboard to a thrilling victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. Although a winner of the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, the 4-year-old is aiming for some redemption after a fifth-place run in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes last out on July 27. The G1 Japan Cup is the long term goal for the son of Deep Impact. “He loves fast ground and his last bit of work was excellent, he showed a lot of zest in it,” added O'Brien. “He went by his lead horse very easy, whereas usually he wouldn't at that stage of the work. He was very confident and it was a bit different. “The plan is to go to Leopardstown and then go to Japan after it. We think he's a mile-and-a-quarter horse that gets a mile and a half, but he doesn't want any further than that. He's a very slick horse who travels very well and does everything very easy. “If he [Auguste Rodin] runs I'd imagine Ryan will ride him. I suppose if the ground got soft everything might change, but I'd imagine he will ride him.” Another Irish Champion Stakes entrant is Luxembourg, who claimed the G1 Coronation Cup in May. The 5-year-old entire led for part of the King George before succumbing to the charge of Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and finishing sixth. “Luxembourg is a very consistent, strong horse,” said O'Brien. “He'll go forward–over a mile and a quarter he doesn't mind making the running and you have to follow him because he won't be stopping.” On the juvenile front, the unbeaten Railway/Futurity Stakes hero Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) looms large in the G1 National Stakes, with G3 Acomb Stakes-winning stablemate The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) more likely for the Goffs Million on Sept. 28. Multiple group winner Bedtime Story (Ire), a winner of all four of her starts, and Lake Victoria (Ire), who sports a win in the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes, will represent Frankel in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. The Cheveley Park Stakes is the aim for two-time Group 3 scorer Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). “That [National Stakes] was always the plan for Henri Matisse and the lads will decide whether the horse that won in York will run or not, but he's still there,” said O'Brien. “If he doesn't go there he'll go to the Goffs. He's being kept on the boil for the National Stakes, but the plan is that he'll go to the Million.” Group 1 winner Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is on song to race in the G1 Matron Stakes, while standout stayer Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is aiming for his second consecutive G1 Irish St Leger. Opera Singer (Justify) is targeting the G1 Prix Vermeille in the hopes of enhancing her G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe credentials. The post Los Angeles Likely For Irish Champion, As O’Brien Reveals Plans For Stable Stars appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Executive Order, a 2-year-old Unified gelding, earned a 7 3/4-length victory on debut in an Aug. 31 maiden auction race at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

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High-class older horse White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) is set to miss the remainder of the season due to a hock injury, it was reported by At The Races on Monday. Trained by John Murphy, White Birch kicked off the campaign in the best possible fashion with three straight wins at the Curragh, notably gaining his first success at the top level when last seen beating Auguste Rodin by three lengths in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May. That performance identified him as potentially a leading player for the major middle-distance prizes during the summer, but he was subsequently ruled out of the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and Coral-Eclipse due to unsatisfactory blood results. The Murphy team had hoped to get him back for the autumn and a tilt at next weekend's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, but those plans have now had to be shelved after this latest setback. More to follow. The post Hock Injury Sidelines White Birch for the Rest of the Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cambridge thoroughbred nursery Wentwood Grange were thrilled to watch farm graduate Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) add to her burgeoning record when victorious first-up in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Bred by Peachester Lodge principals Graham and Linda Huddy, Quintessa was born and raised at Wentwood Grange, who offered her through their 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where she was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $170,000. She won her sole start as a juvenile before winning her first two starts as a three-year-old, including the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings. She went on to finish runner-up in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day before taking out the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham in January. She stepped up to weight-for-age for the first time at her next start where she finished fourth in the Gr.1 BCD Group Spring (1400m) and posted the same result in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m), and was runner-up in the Gr.2 Alister Clarke Stakes (2040m). The daughter of Shamus Award was lumbered with topweight of 60kg in Saturday’s resumption, but she proved to strong for her foes, running out a three-quarter length victor, much to the delight of Wentwood Grange’s Dean, Sean and Leigh Hawkins. “It was fantastic to get that result,” Dean Hawkins said. “She was obviously a top-class three-year-old, so it is always great to have them come back at four and win very impressively like that with 60 kilos on their back.” Hawkins said Quintessa was an impressive younger animal and oozed potential when parading at Karaka two years ago. “The thing about her was her walk,” Hawkins said. “She had a brilliant presence about her and her walk was her strongest attribute at the sales. She was a very strong, forward filly.” Hawkins said the Huddys have been clients of the farm for a decade, which was further enhanced when their four-time Group One winner Preferment came to New Zealand to stand at Brighthill Farm. The Queensland-based couple purchased several mares to send to New Zealand to be served by their stallion, including five-win High Chaparral mare Chaquinta, who they bought for A$65,000 out of the Magic Millions 2020 Rosemont Exclusive Online Sale. Chaquinta had four foals in New Zealand, with Quintessa being the first, followed by a Preferement colt and filly in the following two seasons, with a King Of Comedy yearling colt set to go through the Karaka sales ring next January. “He is a nice horse and he is going to continue to thrive and we look forward to getting him there,” Hawkins said. Chaquinta has returned to Australia in-foal to Little Avondale Stud Stallion Per Incanto, with a view to being served by Shamus Award. Hawkins said the entire Wentwood Grange team got a massive thrill out of Quintessa’s weekend result, particularly for the Huddys. “Our clients are an integral part of the farm,” he said. “Our blessing is the farm and the way they (horses) are grown and raised. “Getting results for clients is just as special as breeding our own. The whole team put so much effort into it that it’s fantastic to get that success. “It is also great for the Te Akau team as well, they are huge supporters of New Zealand racing and it is great to get their colours winning a big race off the farm.” View the full article

Wrote continues to find favour with breeders and the tried horse market also remains strong for the progeny of High Chaparral’s Group One-winning son. The Highview resident’s flagbearer has been his daughter and Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous (NZ) while his son Read About It (NZ) gives every indication he will be a major player at the elite level this season. Trainer Robbie Patterson has his sights set on the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) with Read About It who claimed the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) last term. He successfully opened his three-year-old campaign on Saturday with victory in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) to keep Wrote to the fore. “He’s a pretty talented horse and there were no excuses for the others, he gave them a head start and went around the Cape and still won it easily,” Highview’s Brent Gillovic said. “There’s been more phone calls off the back of that and Wrote’s close to being full at around 90 (mares).” The Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Stakes (1600m) winner also has a strong following in Hong Kong where he has had five winners from six representatives. “I’m predicting he’ll have a really good season up there and the appetite for his trial winners has been massive,” Gillovic said. “We’ve sold three and I fielded more phone calls for the last one we sold after he won a trial at Te Awamutu than I have had in a long, long time and they were all from Hong Kong. “Wrote leaves good-looking horses, they’ve got nice temperaments and they’re not hard to sell.” Meanwhile, Highview newcomer Mr Mozart has also been warmly received in his first season. “He’s going well and we had the biggest crowd we’ve ever had at our stallion parade last week,” Gillovic said. “Bookings have been solid since then for him and Wrote, in particular.” A son of Snitzel, Mr Mozart won the Gr.2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) and the Doncaster Prelude Handicap (1500m) and Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) at Group Three level. However, one stallion on the roster who hasn’t attracted the numbers Highview believe he deserves is Choisir’s well-related Divine Prophet. “I’m bewildered about it, he’s a brother to Proisir and won the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and has left over 130 individual winners,” Gillovic said. “He’s a gift and to my mind, for anybody who wants to get on the Proisir train I just don’t know why they wouldn’t be jumping on this one. “He’s a magnificent horse with a beautiful head. Santos is getting steady support and Divine Prophet is the only one on the roster who’s been a bit slow.” A son of I Am Invincible, Santos won the Gr.2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) during a brief racing career and his progeny are headed by the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) winner Ulanova (NZ). “Platinum Attack looks to be one out of the box as well,” Gillovic said. Trained by Lisa Latta, the now four-year-old has four consecutive victories from six appearances to his credit. View the full article

Cliff Goss is looking forward to stepping his talented mare Casino Princess (NZ) (Casino Prince) back up in distance at Matamata on Wednesday, while he will also unveil another promising type earlier on the card. A dominant winner of the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) in June, Casino Princess has established an enviable record of five victories from 12 attempts in her light racing career. Goss, who prepares the daughter of Casino Prince at Tauranga, opted to freshen her after the stakes success in preparation for an Open 1200m contest a month later, but she found the distance a touch sharp, finishing fourth behind Martell (NZ) (El Roca). “The 1200 was just a bit too short for her, but I didn’t have many other options so I thought maybe with a freshen-up, she might get the 1200,” Goss said. “As it turned out, it was just too short, but since then she’s really gone ahead and she’s spot on for Wednesday.” Casino Princess will line-up among the favoured runners in the Robert Bruce Clothier Memorial (1600m), with young apprentice Gareth Lahoud decreasing her impost to just 53.5kg. Beyond Wednesday’s race, Goss is unsure where he will turn to next for the mare as she continues a rapid rise through the ratings. “There’s not a huge amount for her coming up because she’s getting up in the weights in open handicaps, and if she was to win on Wednesday, she’d be carrying 60kg next time,” he said. “We would have to go for a weight-for-age type of race and there aren’t too many of those for her.” Goss and long-time owner Darryl Heaphy own Casino Princess, and the pair also combined to purchase Happy Venture (NZ) at the 2023 Ready To Run Sales, with the son of El Roca set to debut in the Pam Gerard – Ballymore Racing 1200. Happy Venture’s early education was undertaken by Matamata conditioners Peter and Jessica Brosnan, and after pleasing with a fourth-placed trial in April, he returned to the care of Goss and has made a strong impression on his trainer. “He’s a pretty good horse this one, I’d be expecting him to be in the first three,” Goss said. “He’s had a trial and went very well as a two-year-old, Peter Brosnan broke him in and took him to the trials. He was wide all the way and finished off well for fourth. “He may just need this race to learn a bit about it, but apart from that, he’s a nice horse.” Bred by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey, Happy Venture is the eighth foal out of Margravine (Red Ransom), who has produced six individual winners from seven horses to race. “We bought him at the Ready-To-Run for $60,000, I liked his movement, and his mother won a two-year-old race so there might be a bit of early speed there,” Goss said. “Looking at him now, I think he’ll be more of a miler as he’s already 16.1 hands, which we’ll get to later on.” View the full article

What Benalla Races Where Benalla Racing Club – Midland Hwy, Benalla VIC 3672 When Tuesday, September 3, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble A competitive eight-race meeting awaits punters out of Benalla Racing Club on Tuesday afternoon. A combination of clear skies and strong winds leading into raceday should see the Soft 7 rating improve prior to race one. The rail comes out 3m from the 800m to 400m markers, with it remaining in the true position the remainder. The Benalla races on September 3 are set to commence at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Benalla: Dhanush Dhanush arguably should have finished closer than what he did at Warracknabeal on August 17 after being held up for a run and launching home late to be beaten 1.3 lengths. He has run into the minor money at his last three starts, with each performance suggesting the 2100m on Tuesday will be ideal. The son of Smart Missile gets Blake Shinn back on board, and from barrier six, he can land a midfield spot with cover. A similar finish to what he produced at Warracknabeal should see Dhanush break maiden ranks. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Dhanush (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Leon & Troy Corstens | J: Blake Shinn (59.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best at Benalla: Single ‘N’ Ready Single ‘N’ Ready was racing in much tougher company than what she faces on Tuesday and she looks to have found the right race to return a winner in. The More Than Ready mare finished 2.5 lengths off the classy Sassy Boom two runs before heading for a spell, and a repeat performance of that effort should see her prove superior. From barrier 10, Blake Shinn will likely land outside lead, from there, Single ‘N’ Ready can pinch a break on the home turn and prove too hard to run down. Next Best Race 7 – #7 Single ‘N’ Ready (10) 4yo Mare | T: Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans | J: Blake Shinn (60kg) Bet with Neds Best Value at Benalla: Starlacca Starlacca has been building towards an overdue victory this campaign, and her last two runs, especially on the Ballarat synthetic surface, can see her salute. Two runs back, she was beaten a half length after hitting the line strongly over 1100m, and produced a similar performance over 1200m last time out. The Star Turn mare will be towards the rear of the field, but with a strong finish can see her feature at a nice price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 8 – #10 Starlacca (9) 4yo Mare | T: Shane Nichols | J: Zac Spain (58.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Tuesday quaddie tips for Benalla Benalla quadrella selections Tuesday, September 3, 2024 2-4-5-6-8 1-3-4-7-13 7-10 1-5-6-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Hong Kong’s top home-grown jockey eager to continue momentum after off-season stint overseasView the full article

For the third year in a row, the Adelaide River Show Society Race Club didn’t get to host its annual Cup Day meeting on Saturday. For the third straight year, the Adelaide River Show Society Race Club in the NT didn’t stage its Cup Day meeting due to the condition of the track. Speculation mounts that Adelaide River, located 100km south of Darwin, may never host another meeting on the NT’s only grassed-surface unless significant improvements are made to the track. The ARSSRC had previously hosted its annual meeting in early June, but it was switched to late August. The meeting scheduled for Saturday was abandoned with Thoroughbred Racing NT bringing the Darwin meeting set for September 7 forward to fill the void. Feral pigs damaged the Adelaide River track in 2022. It was impossible to prepare the track in 2023 with 1.7m of rain falling during the wet season. Darwin was the venue for the 2022 and 2023 Adelaide River Cup meetings – there was no Cup scheduled for 2024. Previously, Adelaide River hosted two meetings a year, but that ended in 2017. Cup Day in 2018 was abandoned after two races due to the state of the track following wet season rains, while Covid stopped the show in 2020. Adelaide River’s last meeting was held in 2021. TRNT and the ARSSRC have turned to a consultant, they’re finalising a proposal after inspecting the track. “We’d all like to see Adelaide River back in condition for racing, but at the moment it’s far from that,” TRNT chief executive officer Andrew O’Toole said. “It’s uneven because it’s obviously had pig damage where they have harrowed up certain areas of the track – there’s also areas where there’s poor grass growth. “We’re hopeful of racing again at Adelaide River, but it’s going to come down to whether it is possible and obviously what it is going to cost.” It was due to the wet season that a decision was made to transfer Cup Day to August because preparing the track for the June meeting proved a hurdle. “You couldn’t put machinery on the track, but you needed to mow the grass so the surface could dry,” O’Toole added. “The Adelaide River committee is going to try and get it raceable for next year, but they need to get on to it now before the rains come. “You could probably keep on top of it until Christmas time, but the track is on a flood plain, you’re devoid of run-off, and there’s every chance you may not be able to get on it until March or April after the rains.” Iconic NT race meetings at Pine Creek and Barrow Creek have fallen by the wayside – hopefully that won’t be the case with Adelaide River. “In all honesty if it’s going to cost too much to get the track to a raceable level and then maintain it to that level every year you’ve got to face facts,” O’Toole said. “It was suggested to them that they rip up the track and put a sand track in. “Some thought it was a good idea, the rest said they wanted to maintain it because it’s the only grass track in the Territory.” Horse racing news View the full article

Wonder Boy on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the McNeil Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Mornington-based trainer Jerome Hunter was thrilled with Wonder Boy’s performance in Saturday’s Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m). The Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) hopeful finished strongly to claim second, just 1.3 lengths behind the impressive winner, Growing Empire. Hunter believes the gelding is ready for a step up in distance after three promising runs. “I’m happy, that’s what we wanted to see,” Hunter told Racing.com post-race. “1200 metres, he’s hit the line hard, and next start we’ll go to 1400 metres. “Craig [Williams, jockey] said, ‘he still got lost, he’s still a big baby learning – but boy, he’s got an engine. “We’ll probably either go to Flemington for a 1400-metre race or head to the Guineas Prelude.” Following the run, Wonder Boy is now a +800 hope for the Caulfield Guineas with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Multiple Group 1 winner Huetor. Photo: RacingNSW The Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday is likely to mark the start of another spring campaign for dual Group 1 winner Huetor. The now eight-year-old, trained by Peter Snowden, showed promise in a barrier trial over 1200 metres on Friday, recovering well from a slow start to finish fifth, 3.7 lengths behind Deny Knowledge. “He is fresh and well, and I’m looking forward to getting him out to a mile-and-a-half this preparation,” Snowden commented. “Where we get to, we’ll see how he goes along the way, but there are some nice options through the spring. “Every preparation we’ve had him, he has won or run some really good races. “He is a two-time Group 1 winner, so he owes us nothing, but he keeps performing every time he comes into work. “Hopefully, he keeps going that way, and we can pick a nice race up with him over the spring or autumn.” Horse racing news View the full article

Moir Stakes-bound Johnny Rocker. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Nick Ryan’s charge, Johnny Rocker, is set to kick off his spring campaign this Saturday in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley. The five-year-old gelding made his debut for Ryan back in January, competing in a Benchmark 70 (1000m) race at Flemington. Although the trainer was confident of a victory, Johnny Rocker had to settle for second place. “I was absolutely shocked when he got beaten first-up at Flemington in a Benchmark 70, but it was Mornington Glory that beat him,” Ryan admitted. “It turns out that day they ran something like the fifth fastest time up the straight in history. “I stood there that day and thought, ‘What have I done here?’ but looking back now, it’s no surprise.” Since that initial effort, Johnny Rocker has secured a win in a Benchmark 78 (1200m) at The Valley and placed second in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) from five starts. “The owners had a very high opinion of him and when they sent him to me, they said ‘aim for the stars and work your way down.’ We did that, and it nearly paid off.” While Johnny Rocker still has “a fair bit to come in the coat, Ryan was pleased with his trial at Cranbourne against some strong competition and is confident in his readiness for the Moir. “I’m happy with the way he’s come through it. He’s certainly ready to run in the Moir,” Ryan concluded. Johnny Rocker is currently a +1400 winning chance with horse racing bookmakers for Saturday’s Moir Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Formidable Man, a son of City of Light, captures the Del Mar Derby for owners William and Suzanne Warren and trainer Michael McCarthy, the same team that raced City of Light.View the full article

It looked like Under Who's Radar might be on his way to victory in the $897,500 Juvenile Sprint at Kentucky Downs Sept. 1. However, a sudden shift at the sixteenth pole forced the fast-closing Chasing Liberty to alter course.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Without hesitation Sunday morning, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said he knows what he will be doing Monday, his 89th birthday. “Training horses,” he said. “I got two in, and I'll see if I can make it a special day by trying to get those things at least closer or win one. I told Laurie, my wife, 'for a birthday present, I'd like see one of them jump up and win.'” A victory on closing day of the Saratoga Race Course season would enable Lukas to have a positive end to what he said has been a less-than-satisfying summer. He entered Sunday with a 1-5-2 record from 29 starts. “The nice thing is, I still enjoy getting on that pony and riding out there and training and seeing the results and everything,” he said. “But it has been very frustrating from a standpoint of where I thought I could take some of these horses.” Four of those five seconds came in 2-year-old maiden special weight races, which Lukas said may show that his youngsters are on the verge of producing some victories. “I didn't get that one, Ripped (City of Light), even started, and he's one that we really think is special,” Lukas said. “I hope, to have a big fall. We should come up strong in the fall, and then I'm comfortable, if I can just develop them at Hot Springs over the winter.” Ever the optimist, Lukas was promoting his 2-year-olds last summer and predicting great things for 2024. One of the colts he was touting was My Racehorse's Seize the Grey (Arrogate). Seize the Grey, who broke his maiden in July and was third in the Skidmore Stakes. In May, Seize the Grey won the GI Preakness Stakes, making Lukas the oldest trainer to win a Triple Crown race. “Laurie reminded me of that today,” he said. “She reminded me that we won a Classic this year. I was complaining. I have a tendency to think that they all have to win.” Seize the Grey was seventh in the GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga on June 8 and finished fourth in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes on July 27. The decision was made to bypass the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes on Aug 24 and prepare him for the $1-million GI Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 21 at Parx. “We've got to sneak over there with him,” Lukas said. “That would be another nice one to get.” Lukas has always been forward-looking and he said another Seize the Grey scenario is possible. “I think that we've got a great shot to win some Classics next year,” he said. “I really like our 2-year-olds. I know I've been saying that right along, but we bought horses that are definitely Classic-type horses, and we've asked them to do some things that aren't in their wheelhouse like, 5 1/2 furlongs, six furlongs and stuff like that. I think that as they develop this fall, and they look like they're going in the right direction to me, that they're big, sound horses, I think we have a chance to really step up and have a big spring. I'm hoping for a big spring, and turning 90.” When he was at the top of the sport, Lukas managed a nationwide stable stocked with dozens of horses. At this point in his career, he feels that 40 horses is enough. “I was concerned five, six years ago,” he said. “When you get a little age on you, people start turning to the younger people. I thought that was coming, but before I came up here, I turned down 17 new ones.” Lukas said he did accept four more from MyRacehorse. “My major clients that have got a large stable already haven't backed up a bit,” he said, referring to BC Stable. “They're going right into the sale this fall with a vengeance.” Lukas's final starter of the season will be Innovate (Authentic) in the GI Hopeful Stakes–a race he has won a record eight times from 35 starts–the 10th race Monday. “He's a maiden, but he ran a nice second,” Lukas said. “He's a developing horse. The way I looked at that, he doesn't know he was second. He was flying at the end there. If he won, we would have said, 'Well, we got to point him for the Hopeful.' He didn't win, but we're still pointing for the Hopeful. I've done that before.” End of An Era as Rice Approaches Retirement Although he hasn't made it official yet, Harry Rice thinks Monday might be his final day as a NYRA valet at Saratoga Race Course. He has talked about retirement before, but he said this could be the year he steps away from a job he has had–working with and for jockeys–for nearly 50 years. “I've had a great run,” he said. Rice, 66, said he has been aiming to retire at the end of the 2025 Saratoga season. He said he likely will leave sooner if a contract with the union that represents valets and the people who work in the silks room completes negotiations on a new contract with NYRA. The contract may include incentives for him to retire. Rice is the shop steward. With a friendly, outgoing personality, Rice is a well-known figure at the NYRA tracks. That is especially true at Saratoga where jockeys and valets walk through the crowd to the paddock and back to the jocks' dressing room after each race. It often seems that everyone knows Rice and vice versa. Rice knows his time to leave is approaching, but isn't anxious to go. “I enjoy it,” he said. “I enjoy the people I work with.” Rice's father was a pressman at the New York Times and had a part-time job with the Pinkerton security company at the NYRA tracks. Rice said he could have followed his father into the newspaper business, but opted for racing. Harry Rice | Sarah Andrew “I started out as a Pinkerton for like a day and then I went to the White Caps,” he said. “I stayed there until I graduated high school and then I started at NYRA. My first day in the jock's room was January 6, 1976. I've just enjoyed it so much. And the people you meet and friendships you make, it's good, and it will be sad. I'll always come back up here.” Through the years, Rice has gotten to know dozens of jockeys who have competed at the NYRA tracks. “I got to work for a lot of great guys, and then work for a lot of great jockeys,” he said. “It goes all the way back to Jean Cruguet, then Mike Smith, Mike Luzzi and I'm working for Frankie Dettori now. I've had relations with these guys for 30 years. I'm still very close with Cruguet, Chris McCarron, Corey Nakatani, Rajiv Maragh. I don't want to leave any of the guys out. They were all good. And steeplechase guys.” Rice has already started the transition toward retirement and recognizes that he will have more flexibility in his life. “I tend bar two days a week in a place, Lee's Tavern, in Staten Island,” he said. “It's a very famous neighborhood bar with tremendous pizza. Then I'm going to make some trips. I'm going to go visit some racetracks that I haven't been to. And I'd like to go to Oaklawn and Del Mar, and some other ones. And then I will always come up here. I want to sit with the guys I've known for years from all over the place underneath that tree with a cooler. I'm looking forward to that. And just looking forward to take it a little easier because it's a grind.” While people who know him wonder whether Rice may postpose retirement until next year, he said the settlement of the contract will be a bittersweet turning point for him. “It's not only your livelihood,” he said, “but the racetrack is your life.” Stewart Has a Pair in the Hopeful Trainer Dallas Stewart has had a solid Saratoga season with a 3-3-4 record from 20 starts. He will try to pick up a big prize Monday with a pair of runners in the closing-day GI Hopeful Stakes. Stewart will saddle Tough Catch (Complexity) and Smoken Wicked (Bobby's Wicked One) in the seven-furlong test. Tough Catch won a July 13 maiden special weight and, in his only local appearance, Smoken Wicked was third, beaten 3 1/2 lengths, in the GII Saratoga Special on Aug. 10. The veteran trainer is a partner in Tough Catch with S.O.K. Racing, Gervais Racing, On Our Own Stable and Zak Stables. “Very nice horse,” Stewart said. “Trained great at Churchill. Came in here, I don't even think we worked here, but walked over there and beat a nice field. Did it the right way. He's just been training steady with a nice work pattern going up to the race. We know it's a great race. Lot of good horses in there. He's ready.” Tough Catch was purchased for $280,000 at the OBS April sale of 2-year-olds. “We had others that we had liked, too,” Stewart said. “Then we got to him, and he was an extremely nice-looking colt. Just moved good, worked good. Kind of what we were looking for and hopefully we would get him in the price range. He fit what we wanted.” The unexpected bonus for Stewart and his partners is that Complexity has emerged as a top first-class sire. “We didn't know much about the Complexitys at the time,” Steward said, “and then they just started popping: boom, boom, boom.” Smoken Wicked is a Louisiana-bred who sold for $38,000. “He's a horse that Murray Valene bought,” Stewart said. “I've been training for him for a long time. I've had like seven or eight champions, for him, Louisiana-breds. He's an ex polo player, so he picks his own horses out. He knows horses, and he saw this horse as a yearling at a sale in Louisiana and bought him. After the colt broke his maiden by 7 1/2 lengths at Evangeline Downs on June 1, Valene sent him to Stewart in Kentucky. He finished second in the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 30 at 32-1 and earned a spot in the string of 10 Stewart brought to Saratoga to start the meet. “He ran good there, comes here runs good in the Special and pushes on to the Hopeful,” Stewart said. “He's had a race over the track. Good work. Big, strong, impressive looking. Looks like a 3-year-old, matter of fact. Should run well. Seven furlongs should fit him very well.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Sponsored by NYRA Bets: Lukas Would Relish a Special Birthday Gift appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sporting a nice turn of foot down the lane, Formidable Man (City of Light–Fanticola, by Silent Name {Jpn}) collected his first graded win in the GII Del Mar Derby on Sunday. The 6-5 favorite was content to track the pacesetters out of the chute and into the first turn. On hold up the backstretch, when it was time punch it the 3-year-old colt responded and down the lane he took control. Second choice Stay Hot (Summer Front) tried to catch up but he was forced to settle for second. The final running time was 1:49.87. Lifetime Record: 9-4-2-0. Sales History: $375,000 '22 KEESEP. O-Warren, Jr., William K. and Warren, Suzanne; B-Town and Country ; T-Michael McCarthy. Perfectly timed. Formidable Man & @umbyrispoli take down the GII @CaesarsSports Del Mar Derby. pic.twitter.com/RdVtxVUWN8 — Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) September 2, 2024 The post Formidable Man Sports Strong Late Turn Of Foot To Win Del Mar Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Not seen since he successfully invaded the GI Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn back in the spring, 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic–Hoppa, by Uncle Mo) returned to the races and zoomed home to win the Shared Belief Stakes at the seaside oval on Sunday afternoon. The 3-year-old for Zedan Racing was forced to scratch before the GI Preakness Stakes because of a fever. Targeting the Del Mar meet, trainer Bob Baffert entered him in this spot and clearly the public believed he was ready since he went off as a heavy favorite. Following the lead of longshot Pony Express (Gun Runner) into the first turn, Muth was set up nicely to pounce by the far turn. The colt gunned his engine down the lane and won by 3 1/2 lengths over Indispensable (Constitution). The final running time was 1:35.64. Lifetime Record: 7-5-2-0. Sales History: $190,000 '22 KEESEP, $2 million '23 OBSMAR. O-Zedan Racing Stables; B-Don Alberto Corp; T-Bob Baffert. MUTH is back! #3 MUTH ($2.40) was challenged coming to the stretch but was way too much for the field to win the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar. The 3yo son of Good Magic has now won 5 of his 7 career races. @JJHernandezS19 was in the irons for Bob Baffert. pic.twitter.com/X1YRugAWlp — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 1, 2024 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Muth Back On Track With Score In Shared Belief Stakes At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After an objection and lengthy look by the stewards, it was 2-year-old colt Chasing Liberty (Constitution–Peaceful, Declaration of War) who was awarded the top prize when Under Whose Radar (Violence) was disqualified for impeding his progress late in the race and placed second in the $1 million National Thoroughbred League Juvenile Sprint at Kentucky Downs on Sunday. Under Whose Radar led out of the gate and continued to make the pace into the lane. As favorite Black Forza (Complexity) tried to overcome a tough beginning, Chasing Liberty flashed his speed and was full of run down the center of the course. Inside the final sixteenth, Under Whose Radar suddenly veered into Chasing Liberty's lane and then crossed the wire first. The ensuing objection and decision took Under Whose Radar down and place him second. Chasing Liberty was then elevated to first. Black Forza finished off the board. The final running time was 1:15.65. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Twin Creeks Racing Stable; B-Twin Creeks Farm; T-Rob Atras. After the DQ of Under Who's Radar for interference, #9 CHASING LIBERTY ($46.76) wins the $1 million Juvenile Sprint Stakes at @KYDownsRacing. @flothejock piloted the two-year-old colt by @WinStarFarm's Constitution for trainer Rob Atras. pic.twitter.com/PmkCehh1LJ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 1, 2024 The post Chasing Liberty Declared The Winner After DQ In Juvenile Sprint At Kentucky Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saffie Joseph Jr. collected his 10th Gulfstream Park training title in a row Sept. 1 as the 2024 Royal Palm Meet came to a close after showcasing many outstanding performances by horses and humans alike.View the full article

After an extended duel with Arthur's Ride, Godolphin homebred Highland Falls put away the recent Whitney Stakes (G1) winner in the stretch and cruised to a clear victory in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) Sept. 1 at Saratoga.View the full article

With a trip to the Breeders' Cup Classic going to the winner, it was Highland Falls (Curlin–Round Pond, by Awesome Again) who took home the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup and the ticket to Del Mar. Last seen as the runner-up to Tapit Trice (Tapit) in the GIII Monmouth Cup last month, the homebred went off as a 7-1 shot here. Game early, the 4-year-old took on favorite Arthur's Ride (Tapit) and the pair hooked up in a match race that last all the way to the stretch run. Highland Falls got the best of his running mate and confidently strode home under jockey Flavien Prat. Pyrenees (Into Mischief) was second. The final running time was 2:03.25. Lifetime Record: 9-5-2-1. O/B-Godolphin LLC; T-Brad Cox. HIGHLAND FALLS presses the pace the whole way and has enough to put away his rivals and wins the Jockey Club Gold Cup for @bradcoxracing and jockey Flavien Prat. #HorseRacing #Saratoga pic.twitter.com/vBmZk0H8OU — NYRA Bets (@NYRABets) September 1, 2024 The post Curlin’s Highland Falls Runs Huge In Jockey Club Gold Cup At The Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saffie Joseph, Jr. collected his 10th Gulfstream Park training title in a row, while Edgard Zayas regained the top spot in the jockey standings when the Royal Palm Meet concluded Sunday. Joseph broke his own Royal Palm Meet record with 93 victories, eclipsing the 71 winners he sent out during the 2021 stand. Zayas, who won the Royal Palm Meet title in 2020 and 2021, was third in the standings in 2022 and 2023. During this year's meet, he regained the top spot in the standings with 112 winners. Ken Ramsey, Vicente Stella Stables LLC and Moshe Mark ended the meet in a three-way tie for the leading owner. Gulfstream Park's 2024 Sunshine Meet will get underway Friday and run through Nov. 24. The post Joseph, Zayas Top Gulfstream Standings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All of the winning horses and runner-ups on Pacific Classic Day at Del Mar Aug. 31 appear to have returned in good order and now it's time to look to the future.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There could be another weekend of racing at Saratoga Race Course in 2025, if a plan being considered by the New York Racing Association is adopted. Although the racing would take place at the historic upstate facility, NYRA officials said it technically would not be an expansion of the 40-day Saratoga season. If the proposal is approved, the Fourth of July weekend–July 4 falls on a Friday–at Saratoga would be the final days of the Belmont of Aqueduct meet. The changes, most notably moving the GI Belmont Stakes to Saratoga this year and in 2025, is due to the reconstruction of Belmont Park. For the second consecutive year, the GI Belmont Stakes will be held in 2025 at Saratoga on June 7. This year, it was surrounded by a four-day festival. NYRA spokesperson Patrick McKenna said that under the proposal being discussed, racing would return to Aqueduct for three more weeks and then move back to Saratoga Race Course for the final weekend of the Belmont at Aqueduct meet. The 40-day Saratoga season will begin the following Thursday, June 10 and run through Labor Day, Sept 1. The post Saratoga Could Host Extra Weekend of Racing in 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article