Wandering Eyes

In a race that lived up to the hype, Fierceness, the reigning champion 2-year-old male of 2023, outlasted the brilliant 3-year-old filly Thorpedo Anna to win the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Aug. 24 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

In one of the most anticipated races of the weekend, Domestic Product delivered the finest performance of his career, outfinishing Prince of Monaco and Book'em Danno to win the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) Aug. 24 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Saturday's 14-race DraftKings Travers Day card generated a record-setting all-sources wagering handle of $63,023,405, according to a press release from NYRA on Saturday. The 2024 figure represents a 13.4 percent increase over the prior record of $55,559,317, which was established in 2022. Paid attendance on Saturday was 47,844 with on-track handle of $11,267,864. THE CHAMP IS BACK! Fierceness, son of @LanesEndFarms stallion City of Light, wins the G1 @DraftKings Travers Stakes, leaving no doubt that he's back on top! The legendary @ljlmvel was aboard for @PletcherRacing and @RepoleStable. pic.twitter.com/M8KY6h4sQr — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 24, 2024 The post DraftKings Travers Day Wagering A Record With Over $63 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a race that lived up to the hype, Fierceness, the reigning champion 2-year-old male of 2023, outlasted the brilliant 3-year-old filly Thorpedo Anna to win the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Aug. 24 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

After winning the King's Plate Aug. 23 at Woodbine with Caitlinhergrtness, Siena Farm and WinStar Farm teamed up to take down another major race Aug. 24, this time on United States soil with Mullikin in the $500,000 Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.View the full article

Repole Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' FIERCENESS (c, 3, City of Light–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty) opened as a 6-1 chance for Saturday's GI Draft Kings Travers Stakes, the highlight of the summer meeting at Saratoga, and was a dime shy of 4-1 when they threw the latch at the mile-and-a-quarter start. Last to load, the homebred was off well and took up a forward position as Batten Down (Tapit) was intent on heading off his rivals and galloped his seven rivals along through an opening quarter-mile that was sharp enough in :23. while pursued by GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes hero Dornoch (Good Magic). The connections of certain 3-year-old filly champion and 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) would have done some contingency planning, as she has shown speed enough to lead in her races, but also an ability to settle and make a run. The latter tactics were employed, as the filly took back to third and followed the rail to the backstretch. Fierceness settled in midfield, but in the clear passing the six-furlong marker before improving a spot prior to the half-mile pole. They slowed the pace down and went the half in :48.62. They picked up the pace around the turn and John Velazquez had Fierceness poised to strike three wide, as Thorpedo Anna and 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone prepared to deliver their challenges deeper out at the quarter pole. Fierceness claimed Batten Down with ease at the three-sixteenths and carried what appeared to be a winning lead into the final furlong. Thorpedo Anna called on all her quality and was gaining on Fierceness as the wire loomed, but the reigning 2-year-old champ was home about a half-head best. Sierra Leone was third as the 8-5 favorite. It was a second win for owner Mike Repole, whose Stay Thirsty–the dam sire of Fierceness–won it back in 2011. Lifetime Record: 8-5-0-1. O/B-Repole Stable (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. THE CHAMP IS BACK! Fierceness, son of @LanesEndFarms stallion City of Light, wins the G1 @DraftKings Travers Stakes, leaving no doubt that he's back on top! The legendary @ljlmvel was aboard for @PletcherRacing and @RepoleStable. pic.twitter.com/M8KY6h4sQr — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 24, 2024 The post Fierceness Holds Off Thorpedo Anna In A Thrilling Travers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In one of the most anticipated races of the weekend, Domestic Product delivered the finest performance of his career, out-finishing Prince of Monaco and Book 'em Danno to win the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) Aug. 24 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds' homebred Society tracked pacesetter Munnys Gold and took over at the quarter pole to post a 3 1/4-length victory Aug. 24 in the $500,000 Ballerina Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Following in the hoofprints of his Klaravich-owned sire, who won it in 2017, DOMESTIC PRODUCT (c, 3, Practical Joke–Goods and Services, by Paynter) came with a wide rally into the Saratoga stretch and outfinished favored 'TDN Rising Star' Prince of Monaco (Speightstown) and GI Woody Stephens Stakes hero Book'em Danno (Bucchero) to land Saturday's GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes. Drawn low in gate three, the homebred colt, a last-out winner of the one-mile GIII Dwyer Stakes, found himself near the back of the field as World Record (Gun Runner) speared through at the fence to take up the running. The GII Amsterdam Stakes winner had some pressure through a half-mile in a sharp :44.28 and the come-from-behinders would have been licking their chops as the field raced into the final couple of furlongs. Woody Stephens runner-up Prince of Monaco, fourth or fifth through the early stages, got first run on World Record, but Domestic Product had gradually worked his way into contention for Flavien Prat and drew on even terms a furlong out. Book'em Danno, also in a rearward position behind the hot pace, also weaved his way into contention, and Javier Castellano might otherwise have tried to take a gap between Prince of Monaco and Domestic Product only to have that hole disappear when Prince of Monaco came out slightly. Instead he dove down towards the inside and looked a final-sixteenth danger, but Domestic Product did the better work widest of all and was home about a half-length to the good. Book'em Danno was a gallant third. Lifetime Record: 9-4-2-0. O/B-Klaravich Stables (KY); T-Chad Brown. What a finish by DOMESTIC PRODUCT! The 3YO son of @coolmoreamerica stallion Practical Joke wins the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes with Flavien Prat aboard for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/EwC0CgOpgQ — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 24, 2024 The post Like Father, Like Son: Domestic Product Takes High-Class Renewal of the H. Allen Jerkens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Trainer Paul Nairn produced an impressive winner at Addington Raceway on Friday night and will looking for more of the same with two strongly-supported runners at Rangiora today. The “Master” will slip on the silks to drive Wypout ($3.30FF) in Race 4, the Remembering John Russell – A Veteran Member Trot and High Noon ($3.50FF) in Race 10, the Rangiora HRC Thanks Country Feasts Trot. Both are currently second favourites. Nairn was successful at Addington with Forgiveness, driven by Bob Butt. Despite doing all of the donkey work, Forgiveness went on to win stylishly in what was the best possible start to her new campaign. “I’m really happy with her. She went very well. The tough run didn’t worry her.” “We will now aim for the good mares race at Oamaru (September 15) – the Jasmyn’s Gift – that will possibly be her next start,” said Nairn. Like Forgiveness, Wypout is fresh up today – the three-year-old Father Patrick filly lining up without any public appearances since last being seen at listed level in November last year. “I just felt like she needed to strengthen up a bit which is why she’s had a bit of time off.” “Her manners are generally good and she’s a good gaited filly. She should compete well enough.” “Hopefully there’s a bit of natural improvement with her with a bit of racing going forward.” At the other end of the spectrum in Race 10 High Noon is well into his campaign and looking for career win number two at start 32. Recent performances suggest that the four-year-old Majestic Son gelding is not far from posting that win. “He seems good. He has come through last week’s race well with no problems. I’d like to think he will go another good race.” Nairn currently trains a team 14 from his Leeston base and has trained 415 winners to date, while driving 135. View the full article

After winning the King's Plate Aug. 23 at Woodbine with Caitlinhergrtness, Siena Farm and WinStar Farm teamed up to take down another major race Aug. 24, this time on United States soil with Mullikin in the $500,000 Forego (G1) at Saratoga.View the full article

Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds' homebred Society tracked pace-setter Munnys Gold and took over at the quarter pole to post a 2 1/2-length victory Aug. 24 in the $500,000 Ballerina Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

WinStar Farm and Siena Farm's MULLIKIN (c, 4, Violence–Tulira's Star, by Congrats) cemented his status as the best older sprinter east of the Mississippi with a comprehensive, front-running victory in Saturday's GI Forego Stakes at Saratoga. Looking for his fourth straight victory and exiting a smooth success in the GII John Nerud Stakes downstate July 8, Mullikin jumped right at his morning-line quote of 8-5 and took control of the Forego right from the opening bell, cruising through the opening quarter-mile in a manageable :22.46. Continuing to boss his rivals from the front after a half in :44.88, the $500,000 Keeneland September yearling was asked to win his race in upper stretch, pinched a winning break and had a good five to six lengths on Grade I winner Gun Pilot (Gun Runner) on the wire. Angkor (Anchor Down) pressed the early pace and held for third, while Caligostro (Upstart) went to his knees at the break and caboosed the field before making belated progress to be an unlucky fourth. Sales history: $500,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. O-WinStar Farm & Siena Farm; B-Fred Hertrich III & John D Fielding (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. First Grade 1 win for MULLIKIN, son of @HillnDaleFarm stallion Violence! He wins the Grade 1 Forego Stakes under Flavien Prat for trainer @BrissetRodolphe. pic.twitter.com/ic5Nywavoq — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 24, 2024 The post A ‘Forego’-ne Conclusion: Mullikin Miles Best in the Forego 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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SARATOGA SPRINGS–Travers Weekend has been good to Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. And not just because he has won the GI Travers Stakes twice–with Flower Alley in 2005 and Stay Thirsty in 2011. The annual blockbuster weekend on the Saratoga Race Course schedule is also known for the 2-year-olds. And Pletcher has had some good ones that have debuted at Midsummer Derby time. On Saturday, it was Tip Top Thomas (Volatile) that emerged as a horse to watch in the future when he won the day's seventh race, a $100,000 Maiden Special Weight event. The way he won the six-furlong race was encouraging enough for Pletcher, who saw Uncle Mo break his maiden on Travers Day in 2010. Last year, it was Fierceness (City of Light) who broke his maiden, that one coming on the Friday before. “It's never a bad thing,” Pletcher said of getting a juvenile to the winner's circle on Travers weekend. “Historically, a maiden race on Travers Day is always a good one.” Pletcher has always maintained that any success he has had at the Saratoga meet depends on how his young horses perform. Tip Top Thomas is the third Pletcher juvenile to break his maiden at the meet. He joins Tenacious Leader (Not This Time), who got it done in his second Spa start Aug. 10 and Uncaged (Curlin), who did it at first asking on the same day. “I think we have picked it up recently,” Pletcher said. “We have had some solid winners and that is always encouraging.” A couple of his 2 year-olds are already on their way to bigger and, hopefully for Pletcher, better things. Mentee (City of Light), who broke his maiden at Aqueduct June 15, missed the GIII Sanford Stakes here earlier in the meet when he came down with a fever. He is being pointed to the GI Hopeful Stakes on Labor Day. After breaking his maiden on the inner turf going a mile, Pletcher now has Tenacious Leader pointed to the GIII With Anticipation Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the grass Thursday. What might be next for Tip Top Thomas remains to be seen. The colt, owned by James Bakke, was a $160,000 purchase at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Tip Top Thomas and the well-meant Rookie Card (Adios Charlie), who was ridden by Dylan Davis, engaged in a battle that lasted the entire race. In the stretch, Tip Top Thomas would never allow Rookie Card to get by and prevailed by a head as the 2-1 favorite. “I thought it was a good, determined effort,” Pletcher said. “He broke alertly and they were moving right along. He settled into second and rated kindly from there. It looked like he stayed on and galloped out pretty well.” When asked what this effort could mean moving forward, Pletcher said: “It can mean a lot of different things. He is obviously precocious and has some natural speed. I really was encouraged by the way he finished and the way he galloped out afterwards.” Heading into the race, Pletcher got an indication that he might see a big effort. Tip Tom Thomas showed him things in the morning. “The way he trained, the way he breezed from the gate,” Pletcher said. “A good effort.” Tip Top Thomas was timed in 1:10.46 and paid $6.80. The post Tip Top Thomas’ Gritty Performance May Be A Sign Of Things To Come appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Via Sistina powers home up the inside to snatch her second elite-level victory in three Australian starts in the 1,400-meter Winx Stakes (G1) Aug. 24.View the full article

When Peter Blum homebred SOCIETY (m, 5, Gun Runner–Etiquette, by Tapit) is good, she's scary good, and the very best version showed up Saturday at Saratoga, as she came away late to defeat market leaders Scylla (Tapit) and favored Vahva (Gun Runner) in decisive fashion in the GI Ballerina Stakes. With the victory, Society receives a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar Nov. 2. Off as the contrarian pick to the top two at odds of 7-2 while having just her second start of the season, the chestnut showed speed enough to track the pace to the outside of 'TDN Rising Star' Munny's Gold (Munnings) through a first quarter in :22.65. The pace battle intensified from there, as Society continued to hound the front-runner past a half-mile in :44.82, as Vahva raced to the inside of the cutting-back Scylla a few lengths in arrears. Society was aggressively sent after Munny's Gold outside the quarter pole and went for home in the three path. Scylla tried her best on the outside and Vahva plugged away at the rail, but neither could make any inroads late and Society proved a much-the-best winner. Lifetime Record: 14-8-0-2. O/B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. SOCIETY is @BreedersCup-bound! The 5YO daughter of @Three_Chimneys stallion Gun Runner wins the Grade 1 Ballerina Handicap with @Tyler_Gaff aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen. pic.twitter.com/RS8y5PeRIA — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 24, 2024 The post Gun Runner’s Society Fires Her Best Shot in the Ballerina appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LSU Stables' 'TDN Rising Star' FAR BRIDGE (c, 4, English Channel–Fitpitcher, by Kitten's Joy) was left to his own devices on the front end and was the recipient of a perfectly judged ride from Joel Rosario to upset Saturday's GI Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes by about a length and in so doing, locking up a spot in the gate for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar on the first weekend of November. The 8-1 distant third choice in the wagering behind Godolphin's GI Manhattan Stakes hero Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the longer-winded Silver Knott (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), Far Bridge was sent straight into the lead, and although the clocking for the opening half-mile was comfortable enough, the real damage was done over the course of the next two furlongs, where Far Bridge–who was pressed all the while by the GII Bowling Green Stakes winner Silver Knott–was allowed to amble through that stretch in a pedestrian :26.29. The 4-year-old continued to have things very much his own way, but Measured Time, who was a bit keen in this first attempt at the 12-furlong distance, pushed away from the inside and was produced three wide at the head of the lane. But, as he did in the Manhattan–where he was good enough to overcome it at the shorter trip–Measured Time drifted out a bit and with a final sprint home in :23.21, Far Bridge repelled the challenged and proved a comfortable one-length winner in the finish. Saturday, Saratoga RESORTS WORLD CASINO SWORD DANCER S.-GI, $727,500, Saratoga, 8-24, 3yo/up, 1 1/2mT, 2:29.51, fm. 1–FAR BRIDGE, 120, c, 4, by English Channel 1st Dam: Fitpitcher, by Kitten's Joy 2nd Dam: Teenage Temper, by A.P. Indy 3rd Dam: Pleasant Temper, by Storm Cat O-LSU Stables; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Christophe Clement; J-Joel Rosario. $412,500. 'TDN Rising Star'. Lifetime Record: 12-5-3-2, $1,477,700. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Measured Time (GB), 126, c, 4, Frankel (GB)–Minidress (GB), by Street Cry (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charles Appleby. $150,000. 3–Silver Knott (GB), 124, g, 4, Lope de Vega (Ire)–God Given (GB), by Nathaniel (Ire). (725,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Godolphin, LLC; B-St Albans Bloodstock LLP (GB); T-Charles Appleby. $90,000. Margins: 1, 3 1/4, NK. Odds: 8.20, 0.85, 1.30. Also Ran: Pioneering Spirit, Grand Sonata. Scratched: Soldier Rising (GB). Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. All heart from FAR BRIDGE with an upset in the Grade 1 @ResortsWorldNYC Sword Dancer Stakes! Hall of Famer @JRosarioJockey was aboard for trainer @clementstable. pic.twitter.com/GIKmSXe8BS — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 24, 2024 The post ‘Rising Star’ Far Bridge Turns Back ‘Time’ In the Sword Dancer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Del Rosario became the first winner for first-crop sire Gunnevera in rallying from last to win a maiden claiming race over a mile and 70 yards Aug. 24 on Tapeta at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Via Sistina powers home up the inside to snatch her second elite-level victory in three Australian starts in the 1,400-meter Winx Stakes (G1) Aug. 24.View the full article

Replicating if not somewhat surpassing his victory in the 2023 Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2), Daniel Alonso's Skippylongstocking took charge in the $1 million, 1 1/8-mile race Aug. 23 and scored a blowout victory over Velocitor.View the full article

EAST AVENUE (c, 2, Medaglia d'Oro–Dance Music, by Ghostzapper) became a new 'TDN Rising Star' Saturday at Ellis Park. The Godolphin homebred, out of a half-sister to Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), was favored at 6-5 and led every step of the running under Luan Machado, spurting clear off the turn to come home eight lengths ahead. While Poppa Echo (Echo Town) came home second at 31-1 odds, he was subsequently disqualified and placed fifth for interference at the start. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O/B-Godolphin. T-Brendan Walsh. The royally bred EAST AVENUE lived up to the hype in his debut @EllisParkRacing! Jockey: @luanmachado85 Trainer: @brenpwalsh #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/bIsxsPwlFp — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 24, 2024 The post East Avenue A New ‘Rising Star’ For Godolphin And Medaglia d’Oro appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Favored at 12-5 in the Travers Day dirt maiden that more times than not produces horses to watch down the road, Jim Bakke's TIP TOP THOMAS (c, 2, Volatile–Attempt To Name, by Consolidator) narrowly outlasted a couple of well-meant rivals to become the first 'TDN Rising Star' and eighth winner overall for his freshman sire (by Medaglia d'Oro). A $160,000 purchase out of last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Sale, the Apr. 17 foal was quickest into stride and led through the opening exchanges, but he was soon joined and passed to his inside by Rookie Card (Adios Charlie)–bet from a 9-2 morning line to be off as a 5-2 chance–and he covered the first couple of furlongs in :21.95 with Tip Top Thomas content to do the chasing from second. Tracking the front-runner's every move for the run around the turn, Tip Top Thomas–who came into this off a pair of bullet works in which he outworked a total of 232 horses–was asked to come after Rookie Card once heads were turned for home and the battle was joined in earnest. Stride for stride with neither giving an inch into the final furlong, Tip Top Thomas finally gained the upper hand approaching the sixteenth pole and bravely went on to score narrowly. Keewaydin (Instagrand), who took some nibbles at 7-1 on his career debut, tracked the top two from third and was getting to them late, just missing the place spot. Sovereignty (Into Mischief), drawn widest in the field of 10, was last to make the far turn, but steamed home to finish fourth, then blew past the top three on the gallop out. Sales history: $160,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-James Bakke; B-Wynnstay Inc, Donna Moore & Jim Richardson (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. TIP TOP THOMAS, the 2YO son of @Three_Chimneys stallion Volatile, breaks his maiden in the seventh race with @iradortiz up for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/5GCePwCdfU — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 24, 2024 The post Tip Top Thomas A First ‘Rising Star’ For Volatile In Key Spa Maiden 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. – Before summer at Saratoga began, eternally young Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas was confident his young horses would make him proud before the 40-day meet ended on Labor Day. The clock is ticking. Lukas has had one disappointment after another with his 2-year-olds. “I thought that a couple of them that I liked would have broken their maidens by now,” Lukas said, sitting in his office at his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. “I was looking for one of them to jump up and maybe run in the Hopeful.” Lukas, who will turn 89 on Sept. 2, isn't one to give up. He plans on running several of his youngsters before the meet ends on Labor Day. Among them are Trading Secrets (Authentic), who was sixth in a maiden on July 21 and ninth on Aug. 15. The filly was an $800,000 purchase at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale; colt American Promise (Justify), sixth on July 27, and a $750,000 buy at the 2023 Keeneland; colt Innovator (Authentic), who was second on July 14 and Aug. 11 and went for $900,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale; filly Going Steady (Constitution), eighth on July 14 and second on Aug. 11 and a home bred. Lukas also said he has colt Code of Justice (Into Mischief), who went for $850,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, who he hopes will debut before the meet ends. Lukas sat the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes out with his GI Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey (Arrogate) after it was announced by the ownership group MyRacehorse that the colt would make his next start in the $1-million GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx. Lukas had said that it would have been his preference to run Seize the Grey in both of them. “I am comfortable with where he is going,” Lukas said about the Pennsylvania Derby. “That is a nice race, equal price, or damn near. That is a good spot.” Lukas said that he will leave Seize the Grey in Saratoga until shipping to Parx about a week before the Sept. 21 Pennsylvania Derby. Trainer Walden Has Had a Strong Saratoga, Hoping For a Few More Elliott & Will Walden (far right) | Sarah Andrew In another week, trainer Will Walden will pack up his Saratoga barn and point his car toward Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. Walden will be leaving fulfilled because he had a solid rookie season with the horses at the Spa. With Travers Day completed, Walden has four wins in 10 starts, not bad for a guy who is in the middle of his third year as a trainer. “We have been very fortunate,” Walden said Saturday morning by phone. “We brought up horses that we thought would be competitive at the meet. We have a great team in place. And we have gotten some great rides and had some good racing luck.” Walden said he started the meet with nine horses and currently has six. Before packing up the Saratoga barn, he plans on running a couple first-time starters next week. “Just winning one race at Saratoga is tough,” Walden said. “Everyone likes their horse at Saratoga. My team has worked very hard to earn every single one of those wins.” Walden, the son of former trainer Elliott Walden, the President and CEO of WinStar Farm, grew up with the horses. Now 33, Walden had a much-publicized battle with addiction, one that started when he was 18 and lasted for a dozen years. Now sober, Will Walden is grateful that he was able to come out on the right side after being addicted to heroin and cocaine as well as alcohol. “I thought I was going to die a drug addicted felon,” Walden said. “Honestly, that is a sad thing to say. I had a lot of people that fought for me until I was ready to fight for me.” Walden is married to Tessa, who has been an assistant to trainer Brad Cox for about eight years. They have a 16-month-old son, Wade, and a baby girl on the way. He is still learning this game from the training side and does not hesitate to call on well-established names in the game. Hall of Famers Bill Mott (who Walden worked for) and Todd Pletcher as well as Cox have been more than willing to share knowledge when Walden calls on them. He listens. He soaks in all they say. Moving forward, he used a horse racing term to sum it all up. “We try to focus, with the blinkers on, with what is in front of us,” he said. Sanford Winner Mo Plex Ready to Go in Funny Cide On Sunday Mo Plex | Sarah Andrew When last seen, Mo Plex (Complexity), a New York-bred, was winning the GIII Sanford Stakes for 2-year-old colts on July 13. Jeremiah Englehart, his trainer, thought long and hard about what might be next for his budding star. Well, not that hard. Englehart has been pointing Mo Plex to the $200,000 Funny Cide on Sunday, part of the New York Racing Association's New York Showcase Day. Mo Plex, who will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., just as he had in his first two starts. “He seems like he is coming into this race well,” Englehart said outside his barn at the Annex across from the Oklahoma Training Track. “Actually, he is doing great.” Mo Plex won the Sanford by a length after dominating his maiden by 10 lengths. After the Sanford, Englehart thought about waiting for the GI Hopeful Stakes on Labor Day, but thought the Funny Cide would be the better spot at this point of Mo Plex's career. “It might be a little bit easier, thinking he might have lighter competition in the New York-bred race,” Englehart said. “This race is tough. The (Mike) Maker horses (Under Who's Radar (Violence); Smilensaycheese (Solomini) look tough. Some of the horses that will be in the Hopeful look very tough. The timing of the race and the fact he ran a really strong race in the Sanford … this was the right move.” If Mo Plex, who is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the 10-horse Funny Cide, wins the six-furlong race, Englehart will start entertaining ways to get him to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar in November. “One more race would be the plan,” Englehart said. “We would like to stretch him out and go two turns and get that question answered. It all depends on what happens Sunday.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Lukas Hoping For a Big Saratoga Finish for His 2-Year-Olds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article