Wandering Eyes

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey tells us how he got his unique nickname. He also lets us know who he doesn't like to play golf with. Who do you think is the horse that is closest to his heart out of all of those he has trained? If you thought Easy Goer, you would be wrong. Shug also tells us what his favorite race track is and how long he wants to keep doing this (hint: he isn't going anywhere anytime time soon). Here is the Saratoga Conversation. TDN: You can correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't think of any other trainer at Saratoga that's been in the same barn for as long as you've been in this one. SM: I think it's probably a true statement. I mean, I pulled in here in 1985, my first summer in this barn. We've been lucky to be in it ever since. It's a great barn. It's a great setting. I like it. TDN: Walking up and down this shedrow over the years, you have certainly had some very nice horses in here. SM: There have been some pretty good horses come out of here. Since I was here and before I was here. TDN: When I asked you this once before, your answer surprised me. I asked who your favorite horse was, and I thought you would say Easy Goer. SM: Seeking the Gold. He was a 110% horse. You put the bridle on him and took him over there, win or lose, he was going to run as hard as he could run. TDN: Did he ever disappoint you? SM: I can't say that he disappointed me. I was disappointed sometimes when he got beat. He just got beat in the Met Mile, he just got beat in the Travers, he just got beat in the Haskell. Obviously, they were disappointing. Pretty good horses beat him. Forty Niner beat him twice. In the [1989] Met Mile, that horse of [trainer Bob] Holthus [Proper Reality] came through on the inside. TDN: You have a unique nickname. How did it come about? SM: I grew up with it. My grandfather had a nickname [Mack], my father had a nickname [Dooney]. They had to call me something. I was Shug. I've had had it my whole life. TDN: A lot of people outside of your inner circle most likely don't know your real name is Claude. SM: No. They don't. When you go someplace, you've got to register as that and then they'll call you that. Or if you go to the dentist or the doctor. TDN: Is there one race in your career that you could watch over and over again? SM: I'm not big on watching replays. Maybe a couple of Personal Ensign's races. Not the Breeders' Cup, but a couple of others. Easy Goer's Whitney and Travers were both really good races for him. His Belmont was my first Classic race to win. For Mr. [Ogden] Phipps, too. I would watch that again. TW: Back in 1989 with the Easy Goer-Sunday Silence rivalry, that kind of captivated the nation. SM: It was East vs. West. The media helped a little bit. It is still in people's minds. People still come up to me, especially up here, and tell me their favorite horse was Easy Goer. So, it's something that's not gone. His two races up here were really good races. TDN: You have also said that your comfort zone is being right here. At the barn. Why is that? SM: This is what I'm used to, sitting here, kind of contemplating the next step. It's an easy place for me to be. TDN: What time do you get here every morning? SM: About quarter after 5, 5:30. TDN: Have you and (wife) Alison taken a vacation in the last few years? SM: Not per se. When we are in Florida, we might go the Keys for a few days. It is something I need to start doing. TDN: When you are away, are you still here, at the barn, in your head? SM: Yes. I never get away from it. There is never a day when it's not. I remember we did go someplace for a night or two and you had to take a little boat to an island. They said there was no TV, no telephone. I get over there and there is no service for the cell phone. We had to go back. They had some kind of a pay phone. TDN: Would you say you are a perfectionist when it comes to the horses? SM: I try to be. I like for it to be done right. I like to keep the barn as nice and neat as I can. There's not a lot that gets done with the horses now that didn't get done over the years. TDN: If you could change one thing in horse racing, what would it be? SM: I think that with all the rules and regulations that we've gotten down, that it takes a little bit away from what we're doing. I wish that some of these racetracks and some of these organizations would just leave us alone, especially in places like New York and Kentucky. I think that a lot of the breakdown problems were just something that happened. They've been happening forever. I think we just got unlucky with what we had last summer [at Saratoga] and what Churchill had before the Derby a couple years ago, what Aqueduct had in 2012. I think it was just kind of unlucky circumstances. You always hope that it won't happen again, but you know there's going to be problems. We just got to cut down on them as much as we possibly can. The mathematics that some of these racetracks are using and the testing doesn't make a lot of sense to me. TDN: Do you think 40 days of racing is too much at Saratoga? SM: I do. I really enjoyed it when it was the August Place to Be. But I'm not stupid. I don't want to be selfish enough to think that we'd have the same results at Belmont at Aqueduct right now that we are having here. I did think the four days [Belmont Stakes Racing Festival] was a lot of fun. I will look forward to it next year. TDN: Do you hope that NYRA does not expand the meet? SM: We spend half our summer up here. If they are going to do that, we are going to have to bring our whole outfit up here. What would we do about rental properties for the help? There are only so many stalls here. What would they do about the racing? They might have to cut back a day [per week], I think they run entirely too many races a day. The other day, you looked up and they almost had to have lights to run the last race. I always liked it when I was a kid at Keeneland, they started at 2 and ran eight. Travers Day, if they want to start early and run a long time, I get it. There are going to be 50,000 people here. Some of these days when they have [long race days], I am not in favor of that. TDN: There are two questions that I ask everybody. If there is a movie made about your life and you can pick the actor to play you, who you got? SM: I was a big fan of Paul Newman, so that would be a flattering experience. TDN: You must have been a fan of the “The Sting.” SM: Yes. “The Sting.” “The Hustler.” All of those. I try to see all of them. He could pull me off. TDN: The other question I ask is if you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? SM: It is an interesting question. It would be the two Phippses, Dinny and Mr. [Ogden] Phipps. And Warner Jones and Dr. Gary Lavin. They are all gone now, but they were people that were very influential in my career, really my life. They would be guys that I'd love to see again. Let me have four. TDN: If someone asked you for advice about wanting to do the job as a trainer, what would you tell them? SM: I would tell them not to make it your life. Take time away from barn and have some sort of hobby, some sort of alternative life. TDN: Isn't it hard to do that? SM: Very hard. I told my youngest son [Reeve], 'Don't become part of your barn.' Do things. Go out and do things. I didn't. I don't regret any of it, but I do wish I had done a little bit more away from the barn. TDN: Is Saratoga your favorite track? SM: Belmont. I love Belmont. I look forward to getting to Belmont the first of April and the only reason I wanted to leave was because it got cold at the end of November. I didn't mind going to Aqueduct and I still don't. It was kind of fun in the racing office, when the agents went to the races, and they were at the draw and there was always a lot of bantering back and forth. It gave you something to do during the day. TDN: Will you miss the old Belmont when the new Belmont is done? SM: I have a tremendous amount of memories at the old Belmont. I had to watch them tear it down. But the building was antiquated; something had to be done. I am looking forward to seeing the new Belmont. I have seen, as you have, pictures of the new Belmont and it looks unbelievable. I just hope that when they get it open, that we can get a lot of the horses back and racing in New York can be the way racing in New York is supposed to be. I'm in favor of the Tapeta. I don't want to change the main track at Belmont; I want it to be the way it was. I think it will be. TDN: This game is unique in the fact that the competitors–you, the other trainers and jockeys–you are right in the crowd. It's not like you go back to a locker room. You have to go through the crowd. Have you ever had any interesting interactions with people in the crowd? SM: I have had a lot of them, especially up here when you are walking back. I ran a horse at Belmont one day and I was up in the boxes, and the horse got beat, and somebody from the media came running up to me, said, 'What was going on out there? I said, 'How the heck do I know? I wasn't out there? Let me talk to the jock.' Fans up here are very complimentary. TDN: I have always remembered this. After Orb got beat in the 2013 Preakness, you were walking up the track and you stopped along the rail and signed autographs for, basically, anyone that wanted one. An obvious disappointment, but you still found time for the fans. Why did you do that? SM: I think because the fans deserved it, especially if they are looking for something that is nice for them. I just didn't want to keep walking by them, and have them go and say, 'Well, he was too good to have time to sign his name on the program.' I just felt it was a little bit of an obligation, to be nice. TDN: Have you ever really been ticked off after a race? SM: (smiles) Yeah. A lot of times. If they run good and they get beat and everything is on the up and up, they get beat. The better horse might have won. When one goes over there and runs bad that I think should run good, that gets to me. That does bother me. TDN: If you had five empty stalls here and you can put five horses from history in them, who would they be? And none of them can be any of yours. SM: I think Seattle Slew is the best horse I have ever seen. Racing, breeding, as a stud, as a broodmare sire, the whole kit and kaboodle. Secretariat, of course. I did get to see him run as a 2- and 3-year-old in person. Obviously, he was a freak of nature, but he wasn't when he left the racetrack. I was around Forego some, he was a remarkable animal. Go For Wand was an exceptional talent. For her to run as fast as she did in the Test and then come back 10 days later and win the Alabama. One more? Next. If he goes on this year, he should be Horse of the Year. He won't get it, but what he does is unbelievable. When he goes, he goes. TDN: I know you play golf. Is that your favorite sport outside of horse racing? SM: It was at one time. I don't play nearly as consistent or as well as I would like to be. But I enjoy golf and I enjoy playing and I enjoy being with the people. I like to fish. I try to do that. Alison likes to play golf, too. But I don't like to play with her. TDN: How come? SM: It's too aggravating. She really enjoys fishing. We'll do that in Florida. TDN: Do you watch football? SM: Oh yeah. Big UK football fan. Looking forward to the season starting. And I like the pros. I liked the Cleveland Browns growing up because being from Lexington, it was close. And then the Bengals. Living in New York, it's all you hear on the radio, the Giants and the Jets. In Florida, I keep my eye on the Dolphins. When Bill [Parcells] was there, I would go over there and go to practice. That made it fun. TDN: Do you ever plan on retiring? SM: One of these days. But I got a lot going on. I have a stable here. I have a barn at Fair Hill. One son [Chip] is at Keeneland and one is training, I have a house up here and a house in Miami and place on Long Island and I get to thinking, 'What the heck are you going to do with all this stuff?' It's not quite as easy as taking a shingle down and walking away. One of these days, I will take that shingle down. But when you have a good horse, it makes you get up in the morning. Right now, it would be tough to walk away. The post The Saratoga Conversation: Shug McGaughey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Royal Ascot-winning sprinter Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) has run her last race in Britain this year and will return home to Australia, her trainer Henry Dwyer confirmed on Monday. Asfoora became the latest sprinter from the southern hemisphere to strike at Royal Ascot when claiming the King Charles III Stakes and went on to finish a narrow second in a titanic battle with Big Evs at Goodwood, before bowing out in the Nunthorpe Stakes. She was an honourable fourth on the Knavesmire as Archie Watson's Bradsell blitzed his way to victory, but feeling his star sprinter was unable to replicate her best after a busy summer, Dwyer has decided to forego extending Asfoora's stay any longer and she will soon embark on her journey home. “We just thought she probably raced a length or two below her best and whether that was track condition related or something else I'm not sure,” explained Dwyer. “I know she had a very busy preparation and I just don't see the upside in continuing with it. I'm happy to look after her in the knowledge she is going to race on next year, so there is no point bottoming her out now. “She can go home in a couple of weeks after quarantine and then we can start thinking about plans for next year.” With Asfoora set to race on, Dwyer is open to the idea of returning for more European action next summer providing connections feel it is the right move for the six-year-old's career. “She could come back potentially, but we will just take it year by year,” he said. “We could have stirred up the hornet's nest and there might be another six Aussies coming over next year who might be too good for us. “We thought there was a chance this year based on what was around and we are just going to have to work it out again and see if we are going to be competitive or not, because it's a long way to come and a lot of money to spend if you can't win a race. Luckily she has this time, but there will be no guarantees next year. “There's a few options for her in Australia and we would probably have to stretch her out to 1200 metres again, but that might have to be a necessary evil if we don't think coming back to Britain is the right move.” The post Royal Ascot Winner Asfoora To Return To Australia After Dream Summer In Britain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Vandeek (GB), the brilliant dual Group 1-winning juvenile, has been retired and will stand at Cheveley Park Stud. The highest-rated son of Havana Grey (GB), Vandeek landed the Prix Morny and the Middle Park Stakes in what was a spellbinding two-year-old campaign in 2023. Last seen finishing third being Mill Stream in the July Cup, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Vandeek retired as a winner of four of his six starts and with a peak official rating of 119. He joins Twilight Son, Ulysses and Unfortunately on the Cheveley Park Stud roster. Cheveley Park's managing director Chris Richardson said, “Patricia Thompson [stud owner] is delighted to have been able to secure Vandeek, in partnership with Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to stand at Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket, making this very exciting son of Havana Grey available to British and international breeders and thus further enhancing the long established history of Cheveley Park Stud standing world-class stallions”. Simon Crisford added, “Vandeek was a brilliant two-year-old for Sheikh Khalid and his amazing turn of foot set him apart from the others. He had a wonderful temperament and he was such a great pleasure to train. His Juddmonte Middle Park victory was sensational and I don't think I've ever seen a better winner of that race. He was pure class and it is such a great shame he didn't have the opportunity to fulfil his potential this year.” Vandeek is rightly considered something of a poster boy for the breeze-up sales. A high-profile graduate of Roderic Kavanagh's Glending Stables, he was purchased by Anthony Stroud for 625,000gns on behalf of KHK Racing at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale in 2023. His stud fee will be announced in due course. The post Dual Group 1 Winner Vandeek Retired And Will Stand At Cheveley Park Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Zealand-bred horses dominated the Australian Grand National meeting at Ballarat on Sunday, winning four of the six jumping races, including a phenomenal performance by The Good Fight (NZ) (High Chaparral) to win the A$400,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m). In his first preparation over fences, The Good Fight has made a rapid rise through the grades progressing from a maiden hurdle success at Warrnambool in late June to a game second behind fellow-Kiwi bred Affluential (NZ) (Zed) in the Australian Grand National Hurdle (4200m) on August 4. The 10-year-old was out to go one better in the steeplechase equivalent, where impressive front-runner Stern Idol (Raven’s Pass) was tipped the horse to beat coming off a success in the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m). Stern Idol, in his customary role, lead the field through most of the contest while The Good Fight bided his time midfield, and it became apparent nearing the home turn that it was going to be a two-horse battle between the latter and the Te Akau Racing representative Leaderboard (Street Cry). A very game Leaderboard began to tire over the second-last fence as The Good Fight was seemingly full of running, and the gelding powered away at the finish to score by 25 lengths under Darryl Horner Jnr. Rachael Cunningham, who prepares The Good Fight at Pakenham, was thrilled to collect her second Steeplechase crown, after winning in 2020 with another former Kiwi in Bee Tee Junior (NZ) (Nom du Jeu). “They all mean a lot, this one means a hell of a lot,” Cunningham told Racing.com. “This horse is very special – he’s an incredible horse, I’ve wanted him for years and I was underbidder on Inglis. “Even before today, this is his first jumping prep… he’s had a mammoth season, and coming into this race today, I just knew he was better than he was at the start. “We were confident in our preparation, we were confident in the horse, in Darryl. We were confident in what we’d done to get him here. “It’s a race, so you just hope that it all comes together, and it did today thankfully.” A son of High Chaparral, The Good Fight was bred by Dame Sian Elias and Hugh Fletcher, who sold him for $300,000 to Shaune Ritchie at the 2016 Karaka Yearling Sales. Ritchie and co-trainer Colm Murray prepared the gelding to win the Gr.3 Rotorua Cup (2200m) in 2021, alongside placings in the Gr.3 City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) and Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m). Following his Rotorua Cup triumph, The Good Fight crossed the Tasman and was transferred to the stable of Michael Moroney, before subsequently being sold for $40,000 via Inglis Digital to Reece Goodwin, who trained him for a short period of time prior to entrusting him in the care of Cunningham to commence his jumping career. Sunday’s victory increased his career earnings over $746,000, with seven wins and 19 minor placings in 61 starts, surpassing the total stakes of his talented dam Pravda (NZ) (Zabeel), who was a two-time Australian Group Three winner and runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Earlier in the meeting, unbeaten hurdler The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man) maintained his unblemished record when scoring in the J.J Houlahan Hurdle (3250m), coming out on top in a tough battle in the closing stages with second-favourite Point Nepean (Camelot). Prepared by Patrick Payne, The Cunning Fox is a six-year-old son of Westbury Stud sire Reliable Man, who was exported to Australia as a weanling and sold to Prime Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $34,000. The Cunning Fox is now a winner of eight races and $521,850 in stakes, with stakes-level credentials on the flat placing in the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) and Listed VRC St Leger (2800m). He was ridden by expat-Kiwi hoop Aaron Kuru, who also won the previous race aboard Nassak Diamond (NZ) (Roc de Cambes) after a successful protest against Hit The Road Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry), with the latter being relegated to second following evidence of interference in the home straight. Bred and owned by The Oaks Stud, Nassak Diamond is another former Ritchie-Murray galloper, having won the Jericho Cup (4600m) for the Cambridge trainers and remained in Australia with Payne, who has prepared her to win both of her hurdle starts to date. An outstanding quartet of Kiwi victories was completed by Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Henry Dwyer Steeplechase (3600m), the son of Tavistock putting on a stylish display in front throughout to coast in by 12 lengths to Cleaver (NZ) (Guillotine) and Not Usual Dream (NZ) (Shocking). Duke Of Bedford was bred by Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax of Blandford Lodge. View the full article

The aptly named Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) is ensuring her sizeable and enthusiastic support crew continue to celebrate the racing and social rewards of affordable thoroughbred ownership. Trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, last season’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) winner opened her current campaign in a blaze of glory with victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Pate (1200m) at Te Rapa. Bonny Lass is raced by the 50-strong Social Racing Starting Gates Syndicate, managed by Brent Cooper who also shares in the ownership group with wife Wendy, the New Zealand Trainers’ Association Executive Officer, and the mare’s breeder Sandy Moore. “Sandy and I met during my first year on the Auckland Racing Club board and it was quite serendipitous really,” Cooper said. “He had never won a race at Ellerslie, he had been trying for years. He had Posh Bec (NZ) (Le Bec Fin) in the Soliloquy Stakes (Listed, 1400m) and my very first syndicate horse was Masquerade (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) who beat Posh Bec. “That was the start of a rivalry and also a very strong friendship, Posh Bec is Bonny Lass’ mother and she ultimately gave Sandy his first winner at Ellerslie. “The only sad thing about that was it was on Boxing Day during COVID and he wasn’t allowed there due to the restrictions.” Cooper has owned and operated Social Racing since 2014 following a 30-year career in the fashion industry and was a Director of the Auckland Racing Club from 2008- 2021. “I was originally contracted by (former NZTR Chief Executive) Greg Purcell, who launched Social Racing independently in 2012 through a marketing agency,” he said. “He brought me on board and I changed the model a bit, made it smaller and got people more engaged in the ownership at a small cost. “I did that for a couple of years and then Greg left and I took the brand over and the timing was quite good. “I had Aoetearoa who was aligned with the Olympic rowers and was doing quite well. That had about 100 people involved and I started bringing in new syndicates like the Auckland Racing Club Winners’ Circle, I was still on the board at that stage.” Cooper currently has 10 syndicates and 13 horses with about 300 active owners. “I developed the concept into a paid model, reduced the numbers to a maximum of 100 people so there was more engagement, and the racing clubs were happy to welcome that number,” he said. “I’ve kept the costs, and my management fees, to a minimum and it’s become quite commercial but has never lost its primary focus. “That is to be affordable and more about the experience and meeting people and making good friends. “It’s mainly a lease model but we’ve got three horses that we’ve bought racing at the moment, including Social Climber who runs in the Wanganui Guineas (Listed, 1200m).” The Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings is Bonny Lass’ next target and she will be much improved for her resuming outing. “The Tarzino is the plan and she really needed that run on Saturday, we honestly didn’t expect her to win,” Cooper said. “She was a little bit tubby and woolly, so as long as she pulls up fine, she’ll be there. “A better track will suit her and a heavy track would probably keep Crocetti away, but I really don’t mind which way it goes to be honest. “Nothing scares her and she can do anything, she’s so tractable and she can go back or lead.” The daughter of Super Easy has now won eight of her 21 starts and more than $745,000. “She’s an absolute sweetheart and out on the track she’s a titan,” Cooper said. “She’s been remarkably consistent and Graham and Rogan have done a wonderful job, they are a delight to work with and so professional.” View the full article

Promising three-year-old Suit Yourself (NZ) (Savile Row) honoured the memory of the late Kevin Hickman in perfect fashion when he scored a special victory at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Pam Gerard-trained colt is a son of Savile Row, one of the many tremendous horses bred and raced by Hickman who passed away on Friday after a lengthy illness. Hickman developed his Valachi Downs Stud into an internationally respected thoroughbred nursery, with Savile Row one of the many Group One performers bred and raced from the Matamata-based operation. Suit Yourself is from the third crop of the multiple Group One placegetter, who currently stands at Mapperley Stud and had been well-favoured to score on debut at Rotorua last month but had to settle for the runner-up position on that occasion. Punters were keen to follow up in the maiden 1200m event at Te Rapa and were rewarded for that support as rider Ryan Elliot produced a gem to launch an attack at the 300m that saw the combination shoot clear and then grimly hold on to a margin over the hard chasing Myakkabelle (NZ) (War Decree) at the finish. Gerard was full of enthusiasm for the horse who she and partner Tommy Hazlett purchased as a weanling for $3,000 on gavelhouse.com, when Valachi was dispersing horses due to the ill health of Hickman. “That was the plan to try and get a win early in his career and he’s been a really nice colt right through,” Gerard said. “He didn’t do everything right, but he’d had that race day experience and is learning all the time. “We’re looking forward to getting him up over 1400m and a mile, and may look towards the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Gr. 2, 1400m) or, possibly, sending him south early to Riccarton. “He does seem to handle give in the ground, but also has a pretty nice action so we expect he will quicken accordingly on better footing. He’s big, strong, and balanced, so he can get through it. “He’s very much in the mould of his old man (Savile Row) and we’ve seen a lot of similarities in everything about him. “He’s so much like Savile Row it’s not funny. Three or four months after we bought him, he had the same shiny coat and just looked amazing. “We were lucky enough to buy him before the half-sister (Sedaka) won and then finished second in the Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) and Sunline Vase (Gr. 3, 2100m). “I see Suit Yourself as a real Derby type, but that’s a long way off at the moment.” Elliot was also suitably impressed by the effort. “He’s still got a few things to learn as he is still doing a few things wrong, but he is a nice horse going forward,” he said. “He is a real colt and gets on the toe but has a bright future ahead of him. “He jumped a bit slow, and we had to work around them but when he hit the front, he was still a bit green but once he sharpens that up, he will be a very nice horse.” Suit Yourself is the ninth individual winner for his sire who was a stakes winner and three times Group One placed performer and the first son of Makfi to stand at stud in New Zealand. He will stand for a service fee of $2,500 + GST for the 2024 breeding season. View the full article

After finishing among the minor placings in the feature races at Te Rapa on Saturday, Kevin Myers and jockey Dean Parker were back on top at Hawera a day later, picking up an early double over the fences. Myers had a trio of contenders in the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust Maiden Hurdle (3100m) to kick off the meeting, and two of those, Duke Of Plumpton (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) and Murphy (NZ) (Tarzino), were second and third-favourites respectively with Kahu Rock (NZ) (Alamosa) on top at $4.30. Duke Of Plumpton was making his jumping debut after a successful flat career in both Australia and New Zealand, establishing a record that included six wins for co-owners Patrick Payne and Myers. Well-prepared for his first attempt, the nine-year-old settled back in the field under Parker while Youledo (NZ) (Fabulous) stormed out to a sizable lead heading into the second lap. The leader began to tire nearing the 800m and Kahu Rock led the charge to run him down, while Duke Of Plumpton entered the home straight with five horses ahead of him. His ability on the flat was telling in the finish, and despite landing behind Kahu Rock over the last, he powered over the top late to score by a half-neck with Murphy a close margin back in third. Parker is based at Myers’ stable out of Wanganui and he was pleased with the gelding’s first-up effort with plenty of improvement still to come. “He’s been schooling for a while, he’s probably not the quickest jumper over a fence but his flat ability makes up for that in between the jumps,” he said. “There’s definitely a lot of room for further improvement but he gives a nice enough feel, he’s still got a bit to learn in terms of jumping in a race as he mucked a few fences up and just needs to flow along.” A $15,000 purchase for Myers at the 2017 Karaka Yearling Sales, the son of Bachelor Duke has earned more than $229,000 in prizemoney from 45 starts. His half-brother, Slowpoke Rodriguez (NZ) (Istidaad), won eight races in Australia in Payne’s care for Myers including the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) in 2020. The Parker-Myers combination were back in the winner’s circle in the following event, with the progressive Mugshot (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven) taking out the Big Blade 0-1 Hurdle (3100m). Flying slightly under the radar, the son of Echoes Of Heaven was in the middle market at $9.20, with Fourty Eight (NZ) (Ekraar) closing race-favourite at $3.50 ahead of Ata Rangi (NZ) (Haradasun). In similar fashion to his stablemate in the previous, Mugshot sat near the tail of the compact field and jumped consistently throughout, conserving energy before the pressure came on at the 800m. Swooping into contention in the home straight, Mugshot flew the last fence alongside Fourty Eight and had the winning momentum, pulling clear of the favourite by three-quarters of a length. The win was Parker’s second from four starts aboard the six-year-old, who has continued to improve through his opening season as a hurdler. “I expected him to go well early on, I felt he went quite well in his first start at Hastings to be fair, then his win at Waverley was quite good, he just got a bit lost through the line,” Parker said. “He jumped really well today, there’s more improvement to come with him as well and we definitely haven’t reached the end of his distance range, he’d happily look for another 1000m. “I think he’s a pretty nice horse going forward.” Myers purchased Mugshot via gavelhouse.com in 2020 for just $700 from breeder Geoffrey Georgetti, and in 10 starts, he has recorded three wins and just shy of $50,000 in stakes earnings. Parker was briefly sidelined with an injury following a fall at Woodville in May and has had plenty of success in the second half of the season, particularly aboard Myers’ talented contingent. “It was good to get a winner on my first day back from injury, it was a bit of a pick me up,” he said. “Today was good too, to get the new season going with a few winners.” View the full article

A convincing victory by Diamond Jak (NZ) (Jakkalberry) in the $50,000 Savabeel 2100 capped a special hour at Te Rapa on Saturday for Matamata brothers Peter and Mark Brosnan. The two trainers collected wins in back-to-back races on the Te Rapa card, starting with Ima Wonder’s (NZ) (Eighth Wonder) triumph for Peter Brosnan and his wife Jessica in the Bridges Insurance Services Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m). Mark Brosnan followed suit 40 minutes later, saddling Diamond Jak for a richly deserved success in the day’s 2100m open handicap. Diamond Jak headed to Te Rapa on Saturday in search of redemption, having run a close and unlucky second after a wide run in last month’s Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at the same venue. This time jockey Jasmine Fawcett took up a position on the outside of the pace-making My Maebelline Girl (NZ) (Shamoline Warrior) for the majority of the 2100m journey, then quickened and headed that rival soon after straightening for home. Diamond Jak faced stern opposition on both flanks through the final 200m, with My Maebelline Girl refusing to lie down on his inside while Dashwood (NZ) (Redwood) challenged strongly wider out on the track. But Diamond Jak dug deep and pulled away from that pair, crossing the finish line a length and a half ahead. The six-year-old son of Jakkalberry has now had 23 starts for four wins, nine placings and $125,625 in prize-money. “It’s been a pretty good day for the family,” Mark Brosnan said. “I thought Diamond Jak won very well today. He was strong. “We rode him a bit differently this time, just because of race circumstances. He did a good job, and I think he really deserved to win a nice race like that after being so unlucky in his last run. “What we do with him from here is a very difficult question. He’s a four-win horse, but he’d be close to topweight in most open handicaps now. There’s not a lot of options available to us. But we’ll take this win for now and enjoy that, and then we’ll take a bit of time to work through where we might go with him from here.” View the full article

What Seymour Races Where Seymour Racing Club – 55 Kobyboyn Rd, Seymour VIC 3660 When Tuesday, August 27, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEST Visit Dabble An action-packed week of racing in Victoria continues with a 10-race meeting at Seymour on Tuesday afternoon. Following plenty of rain on the weekend, the track is likely to begin in the heavy range, but with favourable conditions on Monday and Tuesday, an upgrade to a soft surface is likely. The Seymour races on August 27 is set to begin at 12:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Seymour: Bizot Bizot is without a doubt one of the more intriguing runners going around at Seymour. Having not been seen since December 2, the now four-year-old mare brings some of the strongest formlines into a race like this. He finished 5.25 lengths off Roll On High in Listed company, a race that saw her finish not far off potential spring stars Joliestar and Kimochi. She will no doubt improve on whatever she produces on Tuesday, but if Bizot is anywhere near her best, her class should see her prevail in the finale. Best Bet Race 10 – #5 Bizot (12) 4yo Mare | T: Archie Alexander | J: Declan Bates (59kg) +250 with Neds Next Best at Seymour: Alcabeel The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Alcabeel has made a strong start to his career and gets the chance to add a second win at start four. Despite finishing out of the placings in his last two starts, those races look to be strong form references going forward. He was a strong Newcastle debut winner on June 29, before finishing 2.4 lengths off West Of Africa at Kensington on July 17. He was disappointing at Sandown, but coming to Seymour drawn barrier two, in a race where he should dictate terms, should see Alcabeel return to the winners stall. Next Best Race 8 – #4 Alcabeel (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Jordan Childs (61.5kg) +200 with Bet365 Best Value at Seymour: Mickio On the back of a couple smart jumpout victories, the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained Mickio presents at great value with horse racing bookmakers. The four-year-old gelding raced well without threatening during the autumn, but looks to have returned in fine style this season. The son of Tosen Stardom raced in strong form races last time in and if he can show his customary early speed, Declan Bates can overcome barrier 10 by landing outside lead. From there, Mickio can kick clear at the top of the straight and hopefully prove too hard to run down. Best Value Race 6 – #5 Mickio (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Declan Bates (59kg) +800 with Playup Tuesday quaddie tips for Seymour Seymour quadrella selections Tuesday, August 27, 2024 2-4-7-11 1-4-9 1-2-7 5-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc booted home a winning double at Alice Springs, which included victory in the $40,000 Red Centre Winter Series Final (1200m) on Will Savage’s Talent Quest. (Photo by Jay Town/Racing Photos) Alice Springs trainer Will Savage has started the 2024/25 season in bright fashion by winning the biggest race in the Red Centre outside the Cup Carnival. That’s after six year-old gelding Talent Quest claimed the $40,000 Red Centre Winter Series Final (1200m) at BM66 level at Pioneer Park on Sunday. Talent Quest – a $6 hope with horse racing bookmakers – settled on the fence and shared the early lead with the Greg Connor-trained Delago Lad ($3.60) before getting the wobbles in the home straight. With Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc in the saddle, Talent Quest lifted with 100m to go to overcome Delago Lad by 0.3 lengths with Savage’s fast-finishing Vanderland ($10) just 0.3 lengths adrift in third place. Victorious at Pioneer Park last November after eight attempts, the former Victorian galloper returned from a spell on July 14 to win Heat 5 of the Winter Series over 1000m (BM54). The son of Your Song also topped the Red Centre Winter Series pointscore, with Savage picking up an additional $2000. In the other feature at Alice Springs, which was hosting its first meeting in six weeks, Connor’s Flying Start ($10) rocketed home under Georgie Catania over the concluding 300m to take out the $25,000 Cummins Cup (1100m). At his best, Flying Start boasts exceptional acceleration, and after trailing the field by six lengths passing the 800m on Sunday, he finished with a wet sail to make it six wins from 20 starts for Connor. SA jockey Georgie Catania, making her Pioneer Park debut, went wide once turning for home with Flying Start gobbling up Paul Gardner’s $1.85 favourite Red Wraith and Terry Gillett’s $8.50 pop Supreme Times to win by 1.3 lengths. Gillett, Central Australia’s top trainer last season, ended the day with a winning double when Beau Factor ($5.50), toppled in-form stablemate Altar Boy ($1.80) by a length over 1200m (0-64) before Supreme Goal ($3.40), overcame Lisa Whittle’s Oneofthesenights ($2.10 fav) by 2.6 lengths in an 1100m maiden. Whittle’s Another Val ($4.20) made it back-to-back wins after motoring home to seal victory over Gillett’s Floral Code ($3.10 fav) by three lengths over 1200m (Class 2). On a remarkable day where all six favourites came second, Connor’s Quanapirri Bay ($4.20), was never far from the lead before saluting by 2.4 lengths over 1000m (0-58) from Gillett’s Little Ditty ($2.15 fav). Meanwhile, Alice Springs apprentice Dakota Gillett won her first race in Queensland on Saturday aboard Le Weasel ($1.70 fav) at Mount Isa for local trainer Jay Morris. Gillett, 18, who is accompanying Darwin trainer Phil Cole to the Birdsville Cup meetings (September 6-7), had four other rides at Mount Isa for a second and third. Horse racing news View the full article

Mixed results for duo as Joao Moreira tastes success in World All-Star Jockeys series at Sapporo racecourseView the full article

Pride Of Jenni winning the All-Star Mile. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) has attracted a quality list of 12 nomination for Saturday’s weight-for-age feature, with the likes of Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside set kick-off their respective spring campaigns. After a spectacular autumn preparation, including a dominant victory in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), the Ciaron Maher-trained Pride Of Jenni ($2.25) has been a long-standing favourite for the first Victorian Group 1 of the season, and she only continues to firm with horse racing bookmakers after nominations. Six-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside ($2.50) will be attempting to turn the tables on the superstar mare, with Pride Of Jenni getting the better of the Lindsay Park gelding the last three times they met, two of which came over 2000m. The 1400m sets up a mouth-watering clash between the pair, but the race doesn’t end there, however, with the Tony Gollan-trained Queensland raider Antino ($9.00) providing some differing form-lines to dissect, bringing some residual fitness from the Queensland Racing Carnival. Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) winner Gentleman Roy ($12.00) will be looking to replicate the feat of his stable companion Mr Brightside, attempting to achieve the PB Lawrence/Memsie Stakes double. Other key nominations include Pinstriped ($17.00), Aegon ($17.00) and Munhamek ($26.00) all vying for their chance at Group 1 glory after going down in the P.B Lawrence Stakes a fortnight ago. 2024 Memsie Stakes Nominations # Horse Trainer 1 Aegon (NZ) Andrew Forsman 2 Antino (NZ) Tony Gollan 3 Bandersnatch Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 4 Basilinna (NZ) Emma-Lee & David Browne 5 El Soleado Robbie Laing 6 Gentleman Roy Ben, Will & JD Hayes 7 Jimmy The Bear Patrick Payne 8 Mr Brightside Ben, Will & JD Hayes 9 Munhamek Nick Ryan 10 Pinstriped Enver Jusufovic 11 Pride Of Jenni Ciaron Maher 12 Vagrant Mitchell Freedman Horse racing news View the full article

The Good Fight on his way to winning Sunday’s $400,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat. Photo: Brett Holburt (Racing Photos) New Zealand-bred horses dominated the Australian Grand National meeting at Ballarat on Sunday, winning four of the six jumping races, including a phenomenal performance by The Good Fight to win the $400,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m). In his first preparation over fences, The Good Fight has made a rapid rise through the grades, progressing from a maiden hurdle success at Warrnambool in late June to a game second behind fellow Kiwi-bred Affluential in the Australian Grand National Hurdle (4200m) on August 4. The 10-year-old was out to go one better in the steeplechase equivalent, where impressive front-runner Stern Idol was tipped the horse to beat coming off a success in the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m). Stern Idol, in his customary role, led the field through most of the contest while The Good Fight bided his time midfield, and it became apparent nearing the home turn that it was going to be a two-horse battle between the latter and the Te Akau Racing representative Leaderboard. A very game Leaderboard began to tire over the second-last fence as The Good Fight was seemingly full of running, and the gelding powered away at the finish to score by 25 lengths under Darryl Horner Jnr. Rachael Cunningham, who prepares The Good Fight at Pakenham, was thrilled to collect her second Steeplechase crown after winning in 2020 with another former Kiwi in Bee Tee Junior. “They all mean a lot, this one means a hell of a lot,” Cunningham told Racing.com. “This horse is very special – he’s an incredible horse, I’ve wanted him for years and I was underbidder on Inglis. “Even before today, this is his first jumping prep… he’s had a mammoth season, and coming into this race today, I just knew he was better than he was at the start. “We were confident in our preparation, we were confident in the horse, in Darryl. We were confident in what we’d done to get him here. “It’s a race, so you just hope that it all comes together, and it did today thankfully.” A son of High Chaparral, The Good Fight was bred by Dame Sian Elias and Hugh Fletcher, who sold him for $300,000 to Shaune Ritchie at the 2016 Karaka Yearling Sales. Ritchie and co-trainer Colm Murray prepared the gelding to win the Group 3 Rotorua Cup (2200m) in 2021, alongside placings in the Group 3 City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) and Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m). Following his Rotorua Cup triumph, The Good Fight crossed the Tasman and was transferred to the stable of Michael Moroney, before subsequently being sold for $40,000 via Inglis Digital to Reece Goodwin, who trained him for a short period of time prior to entrusting him in the care of Cunningham to commence his jumping career. Sunday’s victory increased his career earnings over $746,000, with seven wins and 19 minor placings in 61 starts, surpassing the total stakes of his talented dam Pravda, who was a two-time Australian Group Three winner and runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Earlier in the meeting, unbeaten hurdler The Cunning Fox maintained his unblemished record when scoring in the J.J Houlahan Hurdle (3250m), coming out on top in a tough battle in the closing stages with second-favourite Point Napean. Prepared by Patrick Payne, The Cunning Fox is a six-year-old son of Westbury Stud sire Reliable Man, who was exported to Australia as a weanling and sold to Prime Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $34,000. The Cunning Fox is now a winner of eight races and $521,850 in stakes, with stakes-level credentials on the flat placing in the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) and Listed VRC St Leger (2800m). He was ridden by expat-Kiwi hoop Aaron Kuru, who also won the previous race aboard Nassak Diamond after a successful protest against Hit The Road Jack, with the latter being relegated to second following evidence of interference in the home straight. Bred and owned by The Oaks Stud, Nassak Diamond is another former Ritchie-Murray galloper, having won the Jericho Cup (4600m) for the Cambridge trainers and remained in Australia with Payne, who has prepared her to win both of her hurdle starts to date. An outstanding quartet of Kiwi victories was completed by Duke Of Bedford in the Henry Dwyer Steeplechase (3600m), the son of Tavistock putting on a stylish display in front throughout to coast in by 12 lengths to Cleaver and Not Usual Dream, the placegetters also both carrying the NZ suffix. Horse racing news View the full article

As soon as the six fillies and mares broke from the starting gate, it took the daughter of Sharp Azteca just a few strides to display her superiority. There wasn't much jockey Flavien Prat had to do. View the full article

In other action, Dakota Gold raced to a thrilling victory when nailing post-time favorite Spirit of St Louis at the wire of the $200,000 West Point, a 1 1/16-mile inner turf handicap for 3-year-olds and up. View the full article

Mali Ston with jockey Sam Weatherley on board. Photo: Race Images There was a time when Darryn Weatherley wondered if Mali Ston would ever return to a racecourse, but patience and perseverance paid off when the talented gelding kicked off his season with a powerful second in Saturday’s Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m). The Group Two-winning son of El Roca was underrated in the sprint contest, jumping a $39 chance with horse racing bookmakers, with Sacred Satono and Skew Wiff as the favoured horses in a competitive running of the Te Rapa feature. Settling back near the tail throughout the race, Mali Ston tracked the widest turning for home and stormed past all of his rivals bar the winner, Bonny Lass. The sectionals told the story of his effort, with the fastest closing 800, 600, 400 and 200 metres of the field, including the only sub-37 second last 600 in the Heavy 9 conditions. Weatherley, who prepares Mali Ston in partnership with daughter Briar, was thrilled with the effort. “His run was huge, we would’ve honestly been pleased if he had run home for fourth or fifth, but to run second was really encouraging going forward,” he said. “His sectionals were the best of the race, so he’s in the right space.” Mali Ston was partnered by Weatherley’s son Sam, who has been on board for each of his five successes, including the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) of 2022. That victory was followed by a third in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), but Mali Ston then wasn’t seen on a New Zealand racetrack for over 18 months after sustaining a broken pedal bone. “He’s always shown us a lot of ability and had 18 months off with an injury, and then last prep he was just starting to come back to his normal self in those last couple of runs and went some good, creditable races,” Weatherley said. “He ran second in the Japan Trophy at his last start of last prep, then we decided to spell him and obviously fresh-up yesterday he’s run very well. “He’s looking better now than he ever has, he’s been a slow-maturing horse and we were very lucky to get him back, he was 50/50 as to whether he would survive, let alone get back to the racecourse. “I had a wee tear in the eye watching him go so well behind a very good mare in Bonny Lass, in what has been a time-honoured race.” Many of the Foxbridge field are now headed towards the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings in a fortnight, but Weatherley indicated Mali Ston will bypass the opening day of the carnival in favour of the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) on September 28. “We didn’t nominate for the 1400 at Hastings, he doesn’t take a lot of racing so he may have a quiet trial then go down for the mile and hopefully can be competitive in that,” he said. “We do think he’s a better miler or fast 2000 metre horse, he tends to run better when the race is run strongly and he’s off the bridle and seems to be able to able to come over the top of them. “He just minds his own business at the back of the field finishing his coffee, then when it’s time to go he can really put in. “Sam won the Rich Hill Mile on him prior to his injury, so they’ve got a good association and he knows this horse well. “They just seem to click, Sam leave him alone early and lets him go through his gears. It would be good if we could get a result at Hastings.” Horse racing news View the full article

The King's Plate race card, rescheduled to Friday following torrential rains on its originally scheduled date last Saturday, produced total wagering handle of $11.6 million. The three-day weekend total handle was $24.5 million. “After Mother Nature had other plans for us last weekend, Friday was picture perfect for the King's Plate and the racing was outstanding,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine. “We couldn't have pulled off such a memorable day without the tremendous support of our racing fans, racing participants and entire Woodbine team.” With the original King's Plate card cut short, Woodbine provided ticketholders with refunds, while offering free admission to Friday's rescheduled event. The decision to run the King's Plate Friday came after track officials analyzed the racing and simulcast market for the following weekend in an attempt to determine the best way to maximize wagering over the course of the weekend, according to a Woodbine release. Following Friday's card, Woodbine handled $6.4 million on Saturday's card, which went head-to-head with Travers Day at Saratoga. Sunday's card of live racing generated $6.4 million in wagering. The 2023 King's Plate card, held on a Sunday, yielded record handle of $18,127,726, up from the previous record of $18,005,973 generated in 2019. The post King’s Plate Weekend Generates $24.5-Million in Handle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The owner-trainer-jockey triumvirate of Peter Redekop B.C., Barbara Heads, and Armadeo Perez made it back-to-back wins in the Canadian Derby (G3) at Century Mile Aug. 25. View the full article

The GIII Sanford Stakes winner MO PLEX (c, 2, Complexity–Mo Joy, by Uncle Mo) gutted out a win in Sunday's Funny Cide Stakes to keep his perfect record in tact. Dropping into New York-bred company for the first time since breaking his maiden in a 10-length romp at Aqueduct June 20, the even-money favorite had to run down 12-1 longshot and fifth-place Sanford finisher Soontobeking (King for a Day), just getting by in the final strides for the win. 20-1 longshot The Toner (Maclean's Music) filled out the trifecta. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0. O-R and H Stable; B-Everything's Cricket Racing; T-Jeremiah Englehart. Sales History: $27,000 RNA ylg '23 SARAUG, $45,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Mo Plex (even) runs his record to 3-for-3 with a gutty win by a nose in the Funny Cide for ⁦@jceracingstable⁩ and ⁦@iradortiz⁩ . Mo Plex won the Sanford here earlier in the meet. 10-9-2-8 pic.twitter.com/rUrvwov2y9 — Tim Wilkin (@tjwilkin) August 25, 2024 The post Mo Plex Stays Perfect With Gutsy Funny Cide Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-When it became perfectly clear that the finish of Saturday's $1.25-million, GI DraftKings Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course was going to be desperately close, trainer Todd Pletcher went to work. Sitting up in his clubhouse box, the normally composed Pletcher rose to his feet and screamed and yelled for his 3-year-old colt Fierceness (City of Light) to get the job done in the Midsummer Derby. “I knew it was getting close,” the Hall of Fame trainer said outside his office at his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track Sunday morning. “I had to help [jockey] Johnny [Velazquez] out a little bit in the last 100 yards.” Pletcher showed the proof when he opened a photo on his phone that showed him up on his toes, imploring Fierceness to get all the way home. “Someone sent me this this morning,” Pletcher said. When asked if he was yelling, he didn't take the fifth. “A little bit,” he said. “It was exciting.” Fierceness won the Travers by a head over the filly, Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) and made his claim as the best 3-year-old colt in the country. His resume now boasts three wins in five starts with the GI Curlin Florida Derby, Travers and GII Jim Dandy his victories. “Johnny said when he made the lead, he idled a little bit,” Pletcher said. “But when he felt the filly coming, he re-engaged and felt like he fought back. He ran hard. That was a tough race.” Pletcher spent the night celebrating with owner Mike Repole's crew at Saratoga Prime, a local high-end restaurant. Pletcher said he left at 11:30 p.m.–a very late night for him–and said Repole didn't show up until 10:30. The Travers was also the first time in his career that Fierceness won two consecutive races. The knock on him heading into the Midsummer Derby was that he could not string two good races in a row. “You can officially say he can win back-to-back races,” Pletcher said. “That appears to be in the books.” Fierceness will remain in Saratoga, probably through the end of September, Pletcher said. Last year, he trained at Keeneland before going out to Santa Anita where he won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He said he will consider doing that again. Regardless, Fierceness will head to California again where he will make his next start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic for owner Mike Repole. Before starting the Sunday program at Saratoga, the new Travers Canoe, which is painted every year in the colors of the winning owner, was given its maiden voyage in the infield pond adorned in Repole's blue and orange colors. The skipper in the canoe was none other than Pletcher. He admitted that he had to do a doubletake on Saturday when he walked into the paddock to saddle Fierceness. “He was 6-1 when we showed up in the paddock and that surprised me,” Pletcher said. “I thought I was reading the board wrong. I think everyone was caught up in the every-other-race thing.” By the time they got to the starting gate, Fierceness was the 7-2 third choice. McPeek Still Gushing Over The Effort He Got From Thorpedo Anna Of course, trainer Kenny McPeek wanted his 3-year-old filly to be on the other side of the result of Saturday's 155th running of the Travers Stakes. But it was not to be. Thorpedo Anna, bidding to become the first filly since 1915 to win the Midsummer Derby, lost by a head to Fierceness. Early Sunday morning, Thorpedo Anna was out of her stall and was walked, washed and got some quality time grazing. Several of her fans made their way over to snap pictures of the filly, who looked bright and steady the day after tasting defeat for just the second time in her eight-race career. “Really proud of her effort,” McPeek said by phone Sunday morning from home, where he said he still had a house full of guests. “It was hard not to be. She ran a winning race; there was just one horse she couldn't get to.” After having a night to digest the gut-wrenching loss, McPeek said there wasn't much that could have been done to reverse the decision. Maybe in the middle of the race if jockey Brian Hernandez and Thorpedo Anna could have found her way inside of early pacesetter Batten Down (Tapit) it could have been a different result. Then they would not have had to go wide into the stretch. But there was no use trying to be a Monday morning quarterback on Sunday. “There's a couple of woulda-coulda-shouldas,” McPeek said. “But there are no do-overs. The fact that she had to go around like she did compromised her chances. Fierceness had a wide trip the whole race, so he probably covered more ground than us, so he may very well have been the better horse. Regardless, he ran fantastic.” McPeek is adamant that Thorpedo Anna will stay with the fillies the rest of the way. The path to the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff will have one pitstop, that being in the GI Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 21. Thorpedo Anna will stay in Saratoga to do all her training for the Cotillion and then the Breeders' Cup. McPeek had no doubts about running Thorpedo Anna against the boys. And she backed up his confidence with a solid showing. “I have always been one to try and help promote the sport,” he said. “I thought it was a great chance to show her off and show how good she is. I hope people enjoyed it; that is what racing is all about. I have never been fearful of doing it. We went into it trying to win and we thought we could win.” Dornoch Will Take Aim For a Rebound in Breeders' Cup Classic Trainer Danny Gargan admitted Sunday morning that he was more than a little nervous going into Saturday's Travers Stakes. That feeling was real as Dornoch (Good Magic), the GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes winner, could not pull off the Grade I repeat. He finished fourth. “He didn't run bad, he was just a little flat,” Gargan said at his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Sunday morning. “He didn't have his usual kick. After his last work, I was a little nervous; he just didn't look as good as he normally does. Yesterday, it was their [Fierceness and Thorpedo Anna] day. We got outrun. You can't win every time, boys.” Dornoch will remain in Saratoga and train up to the $7-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. After that, he could run in the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup in what would be his final race. “He's worth too much money,” Gargan said about the possibility of running a full 4-year-old season. “He is the best bred 3-year-old in the country, a multiple Grade I winner and he's beautiful. He will stand for $40,000 or $50,000 at Spendthrift. We have been blessed that we got to do this ride and blessed that Spendthrift bought him.” Gargan said that the 3-year-old colt championship is a “gridlock” right now. Fierceness, the Travers winner, and Dornoch are the horses wrestling for the title, according to Gargan. And it will come down to the Breeders' Cup Classic. “We won the Haskell and the Belmont, he has the Florida Derby and the Travers,” Gargan said. “It's whoever beats who in the Classic. If I beat him, I'll get it. If he beats me, he gets it. I think the 3-year-old division is awesome.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Pletcher Did His Best to Get Fierceness Home in Travers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As valuable and important as the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) may be, there should be a highly intriguing race-within-the race during the Nov. 2 showdown at Del Mar.View the full article

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Rider Penalties T Melvin | Taupo 21 August; medical clearance required. J Fawcett | Waikato 24 August; use of whip; suspended 25 August – 4 September inclusive. R Goyaram | Waikato 24 August; use of whip; suspended 1-13 September inclusive. C Butler | Waikato 24 August; use of whip; suspended 1-14 September inclusive. S Spratt | Waikato 24 August; careless riding; suspended 25 August – 4 September inclusive. N Downs | Waikato 24 August; use of whip; fined $250. H McNeill | Waikato 24 August; celebratory gesture prior to winning post; fined $500. N Hailey | Waikato 24 August; medical clearance required. T Moki | Egmont 25 August; failed to make weight; fined $100. A Lawson-Carroll | Egmont 25 August; medical clearance required. L Kauri | Egmont 25 August; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalties T MacDonald | Taupo 21 August; late rider declaration; fined $50. L Latta | Feilding 23 August; late rider declaration; fined $100. Horse Penalties MAGGIES CHOICE | Feilding 23 August; tendon injury; veterinary clearance required. KINDRED SPIRIT | Canterbury 24 August; reared at start; must complete trial. KEYBOARD WARRIOR | Egmont 25 August; lame; veterinary clearance required. MADAMKIPYEGON | Egmont 25 August; late scratching after escaping pre-race; must complete trial. ICONIC LASS | Egmont 25 August; lame; veterinary clearance required. Protest KEEPZ OCCURRING | Egmont 25 August; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 19-25 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article