Wandering Eyes

With leading Sydney jockey Tyler Schiller in the saddle, the Peter Robl-trained Hadouken edges clear of the Gary Clarke-trained Wolfburn (Jarrod Todd) to win the $200,000 Darwin Cup at Fannie Bay on Monday. Picture: Darwin Turf Club Despite jumping from the outside gate, the Peter Robl-trained Hadouken from the Gold Coast secured an outstanding win in the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) at Fannie Bay on Monday. With leading Sydney jockey Tyler Schiller aboard, the six-year-old gelding was forced wide leaving the home straight and was at times three or four deep for the first 1400m before sharing lead with the Gary Clarke-trained Wolfburn (Jarrod Todd) exiting the back straight. Hadouken ($3.40) sat outside Wolfburn ($3.40) and with 600m to go they skipped clear. They held a two-length advantage over Neil Dyer’s $2.30 favourite Bear Story (Noel Callow), who jumped from the inside gate in the 12-horse field and had settled in fourth place passing the 1500m. Bear Story (61kg), who broke the 1600m track record with victory in the weight-for-age Chief Minister’s Cup on July 13, couldn’t bridge the gap as Hadouken (54kg) and Wolfburn (56.5kg) – third in last year’s Cup – slogged it out in the home straight. Hadouken edged clear with 100m to go before overcoming a gallant Wolfburn, the leader passing the winning post the first time, by 0.4 lengths with Bear Story, who was labouring at the 400m, a further 2.3 lengths adrift in third place. 2024 Darwin Cup Replay – Hadouken Hadouken, the son of Japanese sire Real Impact, won first up in the Top End over 1600m (BM66) on July 6 before qualifying for the Cup with success in the Buntine Handicap (2050m) on July 20. Robl, who missed a start in the 2021 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) when All Cylinders went amiss after two thirds at Fannie Bay, only decided to take Hadouken to Darwin due to persistent wet tracks in south-east Queensland and north-eastern NSW. More than competitive on firm surfaces, the gelding battles on soft and heavy tracks. Robl, a former jockey, was understandably over the moon following the win. “I’m a little bit lost for words, going out of the straight and down the back side there I thought it’s not looking pretty,” he said. “I thought that him doing that amount of work, he’s not going to have the ability to beat Bear Story. “I think it’s testament to the horse how well he’s adapted to the dirt here, how well he’s acclimatised to Darwin and thanks to Tyler for coming and riding him. “Thanks to the owners for entrusting me when I mentioned bringing the horse to Darwin. “It’s not cheap or an easy exercise coming from the Gold Coast, but look, all’s well that ends well and what can you say, it’s outstanding. “It’s just a marvellous, he’s a tough horse. “I think when he won the Buntine, even though people said it was an inferior field he ran a good time and probably buttoned off at the furlong. “Today, he had to be tough in order to be there and the fact that he keeps putting his head out wanting to win is testament to the horse and how brave he is. “He probably lacks little a bit ability wise, but he has that mental toughness. “It’s an amazing result.” For Clarke, the Top End’s leading trainer for the past 12 years, he had to once again settle for second prize after Lumber Punk finished behind Early Crow in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint on Saturday. Horse racing news View the full article

Melbourne Cup & Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight.(Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The battle to be crowned the 2024 Victorian Racehorse of the Year has come down to five elite equines, with Imperatriz, Mr Brightside, Pride Of Jenni, Romantic Warrior and Without A Fight all in the running to take out the prestigious title at the Victorian Racing Awards this coming Saturday, 10 August. In one of the most hotly-contested categories for many years, any one of the quintet – who between them registered 14 wins at Group 1 level in the state last season – could justifiably claim to be the pre-eminent racehorse on Victorian tracks across the 2023-24 campaign. The winner will be revealed on Saturday night, when the annual ceremony is held in Melbourne. Purely in terms of victories at racing’s highest level, Imperatriz led the way last season as Mark Walker’s speed machine won five of the six Group 1s she contested in Victoria. Her only defeat in her adopted home state last season came when finishing a courageous second carrying the topweight of 58kg in the time-honoured William Reid Stakes (1200m). The head-to-head battle between Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni was one of the defining rivalries of the season, and it was Ciaron Maher’s mighty mare who ultimately edged their private duel. Having given her rivals a galloping lesson in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Pride Of Jenni pitched up at Flemington seven days later and promptly produced another devastating display of sustained speed and stamina to take out the Champions Mile (1600m) at the expense of runner-up Mr Brightside. Lindsay Park’s banner horse gained a measure of revenge in the autumn when he defeated Pride Of Jenni in the C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, before adding the Futurity Stakes (1400m) title two weeks later to take his tally of Group 1 wins for the season to four. But Pride Of Jenni turned the tables in the All-Star Mile (1600m), denying Mr Brightside a second successive win in the $4 million showpiece with another stunning performance under her regular rider Declan Bates. The two remaining contenders for the Victorian Racehorse of the Year prize both wrote their names into the record books last season, with Romantic Warrior becoming the first Hong Kong-trained horse to win the Cox Plate (2040m) and Without A Fight becoming only the 12th horse in history – and the first since Ethereal in 2001 – to claim the coveted Cups double. Romantic Warrior succeeded Anamoe, the 2023 Victorian Racehorse of the Year, as the winner of the Cox Plate after coming out on top in a titanic tussle with Australia’s middle-distance stars at The Valley. Under a masterful ride by James McDonald, Danny Shum’s stable star showed huge determination to capture Australasia’s weight-for-age championship by the narrowest of margins from gallant runner-up Mr Brightside, with Alligator Blood a further neck away in third. Either side of the Cox Plate, Without A Fight stamped his status as the country’s leading stayer with valiant victories in both the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the Melbourne Cup (3200m). Having just pipped his former stablemate West Wind Blows to the prize in Caulfield’s marquee contest, Without A Fight defied the weight of history – and the burden of carrying 56.5kg – to add his name to the illustrious roll call of winners of Australia’s most iconic race. Despite finding himself 15th at the 800-metre mark, Mark Zahra navigated a passage through the field at Flemington before Without A Fight unleashed his trademark late surge to deliver a sixth Melbourne Cup for Anthony Freedman and a first for his son and co-trainer, Sam. The Victorian Racehorse of the Year is voted on by a panel of industry officials and racing media and takes into account performances on Victorian racetracks only irrespective of where a horse is trained. It will be one of number of awards presented on Saturday night, including the Scobie Breasley and Tommy Corrigan Medals for the premier flat and jumps jockey of the season respectively, and the Most Outstanding Training Performance which acknowledges excellence among Victoria’s training ranks. Horse racing news View the full article

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Star New Zealand Steeplechaser The Cossack has been retired after suffering a suspensory injury. The Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal-trained 11-year-old was set to clash with West Coast in Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 149th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton. The Cossack joined the stable of Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal in 2020, and initially fashioned an enviable record over hurdles with prestige titles at Hawke’s Bay, Waikato and Wellington alongside a Grand National and two Great Northerns. The son of Mastercraftsman finished a narrow second in the Australian Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) in 2022 and remained in the steeplechase format with success in last year’s Waikato Steeplechase and the Pakuranga Hunt Cup, with fellow star West Coast coming out on top in their Great Northern and Wellington battles. The winner of 19 races and $690,000 in prizemoney, The Cossack won both the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) and the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) in his two starts over fences this term. View the full article

Ben Allen returns to the mounting yard aboard Pinstriped after winning the 2023 Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Group 2 winner Pinstriped is set to have one more trial before aiming to improve on his runner-up finish in last year’s Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m). Trainer Enver Jusofovic is confident that last season’s Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) winner is in peak condition after a standout performance in a recent Cranbourne jump-out. “He’s progressing really well, he’s in a good frame of mind and his body’s good at the moment,” Jusofovic told Racing.com. “He came back into work weighing 610 kilograms, which is massive – he’s finally filled out. “He’s had one interruption, with a foot abscess that lingered for a week and a half. But I brought him back nice and early, and his appetite’s great. “He’s had two jump-outs, he’ll have another one next Monday, and then two weeks into the PB Lawrence.” Horse racing news View the full article

Lyle Hewitson begins Australia stint as Vincent Ho finishes third in the German Oaks and Harry Bentley bags a Newmarket doubleView the full article

Three-year-old filly Erle became the fourth individual Group One winner for Reliable Man when streaking clear to bag Sunday’s Gr.1 Preis Der Diana (2200m) at Dusseldorf. Having landed the Gr.3 Diana Trial (Gr 3, 2000m) at Hoppegarten on her previous outing, the Maxim Pecheur-trained filly took out the feature after she cleared away from her rivals inside the final furlong to beat the fast-finishing Spanish Eyes by a length. Erle is bred and raced by prominent German breeders Gestut Rottgen and prepared by Maxim Pecheur. Five years after winning the Preis Der Diana as a jockey, Maxim Pecheur achieved a classic victory in his first year as a trainer, and thus his first Group One win in his new profession. “It’s hard to describe. We’ve had a great season, but to win a Diana is indescribable. A big compliment to the whole team,” said Maxim Pecheur after the race. “She was the highest rated German horse in the race. I really hoped that she would win, she is physically superior to most of the other horses,” said Gestut Rottgen’s Frank Dorff. Reliable Man, a son of Dalakhani, won the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) and Gr.2 Prix Niel (2400m) in 2011, as well as finishing third in the Gr.1 Grand Prix de Paris (2400m). The following year he was third in the Gr.1 Prix Ganay (2400m) and fourth behind Danedream in the Gr.1 King George (2400m) for Alain du Royer-Dupre and his breeder Sven Hanson, who owned him in various partnerships during his racing career. The grey was switched to Australia and the stable of Chris Waller and won the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, defeating Dundeel, before retiring to stud, having sustained a career-ending injury in victory. He stands at Westbury Stud in New Zealand and shuttled to Gestut Rottgen for four seasons, then to France for three years, before another two-year stints at Rottgen but he has remained a permanent resident in New Zealand over the past few years. Erle is one of 27 individual Stakes winners for Reliable Man, who is also the sire of Group One winners Miami Bound, Sentimental Miss and Inspirational Girl. Reliable Man will stand at a service fee of $12,500 + GST at Westbury Stud this season. View the full article

Broodmare gem Opulence is the gift that keeps on giving for breeder Don Goodwin, with the mare producing another topliner in Australia over the weekend, but this time over jumps. Opulence is the dam of ill-fated 11-time Group One winner and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) heroine Verry Elleegant and Group Three performer Verry Flash, with the latter also having won on three occasions over hurdles. Their younger full-brother Affluential has shown the same affinity for jumping in Australia, culminating with victory in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown on Sunday. Bred by Goodwin, Affluential was offered through Grangewilliam Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by John Chalmers Bloodstock on behalf of well-known Australian owner Bob Peters for $140,000. The son of Zed failed to flatter on the flat and it wasn’t until his 13th start, and first over hurdles, that he scored his maiden victory. Jumping gave the gelding a new lease on life and he has gone onto win six of his next seven starts, including Sunday’s Grand National. Goodwin watched the action from home back in New Zealand and said it was an incredibly proud moment to watch a horse he bred take out one of the biggest jumps races in Australia. “I got a real thrill out of that,” he said. “He did a bit of Verry Elleegant in the way he raced – he was pushing and shoving with his head up and down, but when that horse (The Good Fight) came up alongside him near the finish he just put another bit in and won a by a length.” Affluential led home a Kiwi trifecta, beating home the former Shaune Ritchie-trained Kiwi-bred The Good Fight, while the Mark Walker-trained Leaderboard ran third in the colours of New Zealand syndicator Fortuna. While pleased to breed the winner, Goodwin was just as rapt for Peters. “I got a thrill for Bob Peters as well because he has been so patient and it’s all the big fella needed,” he said. While experiencing most of his success on the flat with the likes of Verry Elleegant and Verry Flash, Goodwin said he does have a soft spot for jumps racing. “I am a big fan of jumps racing, I would have loved to have won the Great Northern over the Ellerslie hill,” he said. “I have had a bit of success in jumps racing with Verry Flash, but also with a mare called Verry Royal. She is with Kevin Myers and her sixth race was over hurdles and she dug in and won by the smallest nose you have seen in your life, but she did win. I got a real thrill out of that.” Opulence has been an outstanding producer for Goodwin but was sadly lost when foaling a Zed filly two years ago. That filly is now with leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller, and Goodwin said she is leaving quite the impression on Verry Elleegant’s former trainer. “I have got a full-sister to Verry Elleegant with Chris Waller who has just turned two and they are very pleased with her, so we will see where she goes,” Goodwin said. “She is the only (female) member of the family I have now as the mother died the day that filly was born. Horse breeding is a tough game.” Verry Flash is the only other member of the family Goodwin is still racing himself, but he said retirement is looming for the now 10-year-old, who has posted 13 career victories, with 10 wins on the flat, including the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m). “He is a 10-year-old now and I will look to retire him, and he will go to his original jockey (Rowena Smyth). She has got a little farm a bit out of Auckland and she will keep him there. He is a neat horse.” View the full article

New Zealand’s jockey ranks have been bolstered this week with the welcome addition of expat Australian hoop Matthew Cartwright. The 21-year-old jockey recorded 233 wins in Victoria, but found opportunities began to dry up after coming out of his apprenticeship, and he has elected to chance his arm across the Tasman to help revitalise his riding career. “I was struggling with opportunities in Australia, so I thought I would make a change and New Zealand is what that change is going to be,” Cartwright said. Cartwright had a successful apprenticeship and partnered a number of top-level horses in Australia, including riding subsequent A$15 The Everest (1200m) and multiple Group One winner Giga Kick to victory at just his second start. “I had a very successful apprenticeship,” he said. “I was a leading apprentice in Victoria and out rode my claim with six months to go, so I had to leave my apprenticeship early and become a senior. “I rode multiple Group One horses with a claim, the likes of Giga Kick and Lighthouse. “One of my biggest highlights would have been riding Flash Feeling on Champions Day at Flemington. That was probably my biggest win, it was massive.” Cartwright flew to New Zealand on Sunday and said he has been helped a lot with his move by a couple of Kiwis he met in Australia. “I have had a lot of help from Mason Stevens and Wiremu Pinn, they have helped me out a lot in getting over here,” he said. Cartwright will base himself in the Waikato and said he has already started networking and is receiving plenty of support from local trainers. “I am going to base myself out of Cambridge and I will be doing a fair bit of work at Cambridge and Matamata, so that will keep me busy,” he said. “I am going to branch out and help different trainers. I have already got a few trainers that are happy to support me, everyone has been very welcoming. “I just want to be out there riding, and riding winners. I am going to be working hard and hopefully I can get the support, and I can get on the right horses and show my ability. “I am looking forward to giving New Zealand a crack. It is exciting and challenging at the same time.” View the full article

Progressive stayer Lombardi flew under the radar heading into his fresh-up run on Saturday at Riccarton and indicated there is plenty more to come this spring with a decisive win over 1400m. Prepared by Bruce Smith, Lombardi had been a model of consistency in competitive races from 1600 to 2600m last season, including finishing a close-up third behind talented performers Noble Knight and Good Oil during New Zealand Cup Week. The six-year-old didn’t run a bad race all autumn and was sent for a deserved spell in mid-April, with his resuming run on Saturday seemingly perceived by punters to be a kick-off point for the preparation, closing him at $15.30 with Zacat on top of the market at $4.60. Lombardi proved he was more than just a handy stayer, travelling comfortably throughout the contest under Craig Grylls and when asked for an effort at the 300m, he went to the lead and held off the challenge of Zacat to score by 1-1/2 lengths. Smith was thrilled to see the son of Verdi add his third win from 21 starts, and said he expects further improvement as the distances rise. “You can’t complain on a run like that, he’s a nice horse in the making,” Smith said. “He’s definitely better over ground, but he just puts himself in the race so easily which is possibly his downfall at times. He bounces out and tends to be a bit handier than I’d like him to be. “He won’t go around until the end of the month now, there isn’t really anything suitable for him until then so as long as things go to plan, he’ll run on the 31st of August. “He’ll step straight up to 1800m which I haven’t got a problem with, if there had been a mile last Saturday he would’ve run in that instead but the 1400 was the only option. “We’ve got a bit of a long-term plan with him, but we’ll just keep working on that along the line.” Lombardi was bred by co-owner Angela Hutchinson, being the first foal out of her Kingmaker mare Queen’s Pal, who was a full-sister to Kings Pal, a Listed performer and six-race winner. “Angela Hutchinson has been with me for all of my career, I had a nice horse for her a few years ago called Kings Pal that she also bred and I’m very grateful to have her on board,” Smith said. “Her son and daughter both have a share in Lombardi alongside a couple of others and myself. She’s been in the game her whole life and she trusts me to do the job, so I’m very lucky. “They’re lovely people and are passionate about racing whether it be win, lose or draw. “They’ve got a half-sister by War Decree to Lombardi in the paddock who has just turned two, so we’ll bring her in shortly and see how we go. The family is very consistent, especially on the dam’s side. She (Pipkin, granddam) had never been to a top stallion, but every horse has been able to run.” Smith trains his small team out of close friend Danny Frye’s Balcairn property, a relationship that spans back to his time as a jockey in the mid-eighties, where he rode more than 100 winners. “I did my apprenticeship with Danny and he’s the closest thing I have to a brother. We’ve been buddies for all of our lives and he’s got his operation here so I’m lucky enough to work out of it,” Smith said. “We just work together and help each other, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without him. “He’s got a ride in the amateur race on Wednesday, everyone thinks Scotty (Macnab) is the oldest amateur rider going around but there’s one older, and that’s Danny. “His daughter (Ashley Frye) is riding as well. You don’t often get to see a father and daughter riding together and she works out of Danny’s place as well. “We have a private track here and then go into the Rangiora track for gallops. We’ve just come back from the beach with a couple that are racing on Wednesday as well. “They’re trying to get rid of the Rangiora course which is sad, it’s a good training centre and we can work on the grass and sand, there are plenty of options there.” Smith’s contingent also includes Impending filly Conflict, who he and Frye purchased via gavelhouse.com after she had two starts as a juvenile for Wexford Stables. “She’s coming along well, she’ll kick off at the trials next week. There is a race for her on the 31st as well, but we’ll just get the trials out of the way and see where we are at,” Smith said. “I have another little filly for a local syndicate of boys who is not too far away from trialling too, I just play around with three so I can keep my head above water.” View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has today (August 5) released a consultation document to aid in deciding the future of jumps racing in New Zealand. The consultation, which will run through to September 6, presents two main options for the future of jumps racing: continuation with a dedicated strategy and additional investment, or a managed wind-down leading to eventual closure. Bruce Sharrock, NZTR Chief Executive Officer, has asked those involved in jumps racing to carefully consider the document and provide feedback with their preferred option. “Jumps racing in New Zealand is at a crossroads and as an industry we now need to decide what path we should take. Unfortunately, the economic reality means doing nothing is not an option,” said Sharrock. “We are asking participants to carefully read the document, understand the situation we’re currently facing, and ultimately provide feedback on their preferred option. ”The consultation document outlines the work that has been done to arrest the decline in the participation of jumps racing as well as the broader contribution jumps racing makes to the thoroughbred racing industry. A number of reasons for the need to consult are laid out, supported by statistical analysis. These include; Decline in Jumps Racing Participation and Races: ● The number of jumps races in New Zealand has decreased from 122 in FY10 to just 61 in FY24. This decline mirrors a reduction in the participant base. Wagering Statistics: ● In the 2022/2023 season, the average turnover for flat races was $162k, significantly higher than the $91k average for jumps races. This disparity highlights a major challenge in the sustainability of jumps racing. Decline in Community Participation: ● The number of trainers participating in jumps racing has dropped from 146 in FY10 to just 54 in FY23. Similarly, the number of jockeys has halved over the same period. Only 22 jockeys were involved in FY23. Challenges in Jumps Racing Infrastructure: ● An audit revealed that the infrastructure supporting jumps racing is, at best, average. Riccarton Park remains the only South Island venue for jumps races. Sharrock emphasised that no decision will be made until 31 October 2024 and called for those responding to the consultation to give feedback on whether there were aspects of jumps racing that the document had not considered. “We encourage all participants and stakeholders to have their say. In particular, we would like to understand if their level of investment or participation is likely to change over the next 12 – 24 months and whether those participants would consider involvement with a dedicated investment strategy,” said Sharrock. “At this stage this is purely a consultation, and no decision has been made. Once the consultation closes, NZTR will spend some time analysing the responses and further working groups will take place before a final decision is made by 31 October 2024.” Those interested in responding to the consultation can download and review the consultation document here. Feedback needs to be submitted by September 6, 2024. View the full article

A well-performed Pencarrow Stud family came up trumps with a memorable winning double at Riccarton and looks set to continue to add to its roll of honour into the future. The Adrian Bull-trained and raced Jay Bee Gee triumphed in Saturday’s Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) in a thrilling finish and stablemate and half-sister Harmonious, owned by farm principal Sir Peter Vela, claimed the closing event on the card. They are out of the Pins mare Huluava, who was a three-time winner from 10 appearances before going on to star as a broodmare. All nine of her foals to race have been winners and includes William Wallace, a son of Darci Brahma who posted Listed victories in the Spring Classic (2000m) and Timaru Cup (1600m) for Bull. Huluava is also the granddam of the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Pignan. “It’s a really, really under-rated family and it just keeps on keeping on,” Pencarrow manager Leon Casey said. “Huluava was very lightly raced and talented, we did take her to Brisbane as a three-year-old but she pulled up sore. “She was trained by Mark Walker and came back to win another race before she was retired. She’s still on the farm as a nanny.” Her last foal is the Pencarrow-bred and raced Branciforti, a daughter of Belardo, who has won four of her 13 starts from David Greene’s stable. “Branciforti and Harmonious can hopefully go on with it and there might be a decent race in one or the other of them,” Casey said. Turn Me Loose six-year-old Harmonious is now the winner of two of her 13 starts. “She’s been given plenty of time and Adrian has been really patient, she’s a lot stronger now and has been very unlucky not to win a few more races,” Casey said. The current headline member of the family Jay Bee Gee is a son of Complacent and was purchased by Bull for $26,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale where he was offered on behalf of Pencarrow by Bradbury Park. “Adrian has bought a few off us so we always try to support people who support us, we’ve sent him a few in the past and obviously Harmonious has that family link so it all fitted in well,” Casey said. Huluava is also a half-sister to the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) winner Hasselhoof and the Listed Wairarapa Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) winner Vercors, whose daughter Vichy won of four occasions and placed in the Tauherenikau black type feature. “Hasselhoof is here on the farm and he’s looking after a paddock full of colts, Vercors is retired but we’re still breeding from Vichy so we’ve got a few members of the family,” Casey said. View the full article

What Ballarat Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Tuesday, August 6, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble The synthetic track at Ballarat is the destination for a quickfire six-race meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Clear skies are forecast for raceday, meaning there should be zero excuses in terms of kickback for any of the fancied runners. The action from Ballarat will commence at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Ballarat: Signal Signal hardly runs a poor race first-up from a spell (4: 1-2-1), while he already has two wins at this track. The six-year-old gelding is without a doubt the best horse in the field, and despite needing to lug 61.5kg, he should be winning. Barrier one is offset by the fact he is a natural leader, and with a relatively uncontested lead expected, Signal will prove too hard to gun down. Best Bet Race 5 – #1 Signal (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Matt Laurie | J: Ethan Brown (61.5kg) +200 with Bet365 Next Best at Ballarat: Miss Xtravaganza Miss Xtravaganza was beaten by the barest of margins at the Ballarat synthetic 1500m on July 16. The Xtravagant mare simply couldn’t get past the winner, but the near three-length gap back to the third horse suggests a win is coming. She stays at the track and trip, and with Jarrod Fry likely to land outside the lead from barrier five, Miss Xtravaganza will just need a bit of luck to go one better this time. Next Best Race 3 – #7 Miss Xtravaganza (5) 4yo Mare | T: Mitchell Freedman | J: Jarrod Fry (57.5kg) +200 with Picklebet Next Best Again at Ballarat: Attaboom Although Attaboom is a 16-start maiden, he has been racing in fine form on the Ballarat synthetic. The four-year-old gelding has six seconds and a third from 12 starts on the all-weather surface. Neil Farley will likely have him settled outside the speed over the 1200m, and as long as he doesn’t over-race, Attaboom should finally be breaking his maiden status. Next Best Again Race 2 – #1 Attaboom (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Anthony Cosgriff | J: Neil Farley (59.5kg) +400 with Neds Ballarat Tuesday quaddie tips Ballarat quadrella selections Tuesday, August 6, 2024 3-7 1-3-5-6-8 1-5 4-5-6-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

It was anyone's race as four horses entered the stretch together, but a rail-skimming move by jockey Florent Geroux guided Hit Show to victory in the $200,000 West Virginia Governor's Stakes (G3) at Mountaineer Casino & Racetrack Resort.View the full article

Lazzat took apart the best field assembled for the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) in some time with a performance of real authority under Antonio Orani at DeauvilleView the full article

Qatar Racing's Waves of Mischief surged in the final strides, narrowly defeating Pin Up Betty by a head after a thrilling stretch duel in the $400,000 Pucker Up Stakes (G3T), the highlight of Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend at Ellis Park Aug. 4.View the full article

The annual renewal of Mountaineer's biggest race, the GIII West Virginia Derby, went to Dragoon Guard (Arrogate–Filimbi, by Mizzen Mast) who carried the Juddmonte colors for the win in gate to wire fashion. The homebred was last seen winning the GIII Indiana Derby July 6 and off that effort he was slammed at the windows as the heavy 3-5 favorite. The gray powered away at the break and took the field into the first turn. With little pressure behind him, the 3-year-old kept to the task and sailed down the lane to a three-length score over the late-running Dimatic (Gun Runner). The final running time was 1:49.96. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0. O/B-Juddmonte Farms; T-Brad Cox. The West Virginia Derby goes to Dragoon Guard. pic.twitter.com/Tt4ZGSEQ0F — Horse Racing Community (Lucien LaCroix) (@BobBaffart) August 5, 2024 The post Dragoon Guard Marches To The Wire In GIII West Virginia Derby 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. — If you believed the tote board before the seventh race at Saratoga Race Course Sunday afternoon, it was best to move right on by the No. 8 horse in the $100,000 Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-old fillies. May Day Ready (Tapit) had no chance to win her debut, a 1 1/16-mile race on the inner turf. At least that's what the betting public thought. She was dead on the board at odds of 25-1; second longest shot in the field of 10. “The horse didn't know that,” owner Larry Doyle of KatieRich Stables LLC said with a big grin. Indeed, May Day Ready did not. She showed grit, determination, courage … take your pick … and found her way to the winner's circle, much to the delight of Doyle and trainer Joe Lee. Doyle, who owns KatieRich Farms in Midway, Ky with his wife, Karen, was celebrating his first-ever win at Saratoga after May Day Ready and jockey Frankie Dettori powered to the finish line to edge the fast-closing Love Tempo (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). The margin of victory was the slimmest of noses. It was also the first Spa victory for Lee, a former assistant to former trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who is now the jockey agent for Luis Saez and Hall of Famer John Velazquez. Jojo Lee, Joseph Lee, Larry Doyle, and Patrick Usas | Sarah Andrew Doyle, from Long Island, bought May Day Ready with an eye towards a breeding career for her. She is by the More Than Ready mare Nemoralia and Doyle bought her for $325,000 at the Ocala Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training. “The breeding,” Doyle said about why he bought her. “We think that down the road she will be a broodmare. Tapit. More Than Ready. We are commercial breeders, and we really liked the bloodlines. We just thought we would take a shot and thought the residual value was there.” Getting a win the first time out certainly won't hurt the breeding possibilities. Who knows what might come next? Doyle estimates he has run maybe a dozen horses at Saratoga. Before Sunday, his best finish was a second in the then GII Schuylerville in 2002 with Miss Mary Apples, a filly he owned with Christopher Connors. Lee, 62, began his career working for future Hall of Famer D Wayne Lukas with McLaughlin when he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1989. In 1993, he went to Dubai with McLaughlin and worked there for seven years. From there, he went to Japan for 11 years. He worked with plenty of champion horses. Now, he has a modest stable of five horses, all of them stabled at Belmont Park. Lee has been in the winner's circle, just not as a winning trainer. Until May Day Ready got him there. The result caught him by surprise. “I was hoping she would be laying seventh, eight, maybe eight or nine lengths off,” Lee said. “And we would finish third or fourth, beaten three lengths, to be honest with you. I am really happy.” In the winner's circle, Doyle and Lee got to see first-hand the traditional flying dismount from Dettori. They thought they were dreaming. May Day Ready was timed in 1:46.35 and paid $53.50. Lee said the celebration would probably short-lived. May Day Ready would be on a van back to Belmont Park by 7 p.m. and he would be right behind. He has four other horses he tends to at Belmont; he plans on running some of them in the coming weeks at Saratoga. “I really thought this one had a shot,” Lee said. “She has always showed class in the mornings and today she did what she had to do to do what she did.” MAY DAY READY, the 2YO daughter of @Gainesway stallion Tapit, holds on to break her maiden at 25-1 with @FrankieDettori up for trainer Joseph Lee. pic.twitter.com/OjuArCz7pQ — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 4, 2024 7th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-4, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:46.35, gd, nose. MAY DAY READY (f, 2, Tapit–Nemoralia {GSW & G1SP-Eng, MGISP-USA, $544,633}, by More Than Ready), cold on the board at 25-1 for this unveiling, pulled the shocker in the end as she held off all challengers late to win in a photo. Racing along in ninth just off the fence once the field got on their way, she had to be tipped out five wide for room and was in the clear with seven-sixteenths left to travel before she tucked in along the rail into the far turn. That, in turn, caused a chain reaction which left several horses in tough spots, but May Day Ready was still moving forward and she had taken command by the eighth pole. Shying away from the right hand stick but gamely hanging tough as the favorite Love Tempo (Ire) (Churchill {GB}) loomed the late danger, she just denied that rival by the thinnest of margins on the wire. There was a jockey's objection by one of the riders involved in the traffic trouble, and after a review, the objection was dismissed with the result allowed to stand. Out of multiple Grade I/Group 1-placed Nemoralia, who was also a group winner in England in addition to being placed in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, May Day Ready is her most recent to the races. Her elder brother Bosque Redondo (War Front) is a course record setter at Tampa Bay Downs. Their dam's last registered offspring thus far is a yearling by Munnings. Sales history: $60,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $325,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-KatieRich Stables LLC; B-White Birch Farm, Inc. (KY); T-Joseph R. Lee. The post May Day Ready Surprises Everyone When Breaking Maiden By A Nose appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Once a $3,500 yearling purchase, The Queens M G is now a graded stakes winner, taking the $200,000 Adirondack Stakes (G3) by nine lengths at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 4.View the full article

Since being established in 1899, Murray Bridge Racing Club (MBRC) has been considered one of the biggest country horse racing circuits across South Australia. Located an hour from the major city of Adeliade, Murray Bridge Racecourse is utilized consistently throughout the yearly horse racing calendar, with more than 25 meetings listed throughout the season. Murray Bridge Racecourse also hosts plenty of trackwork and jump-outs throughout the year, with pristine facilities on offer – including grass tracks, new & old sand tracks, uphill sand tracks, an equine pool and schooling lanes available to use for all MBRC trainers. Murray Bridge Cup Day in early October is usually the major target for local trainers, with the likes of Paul Seater, Stuart Padman and Karen Byrnes a few of the names working out of Murray Bridge. With Morphettville Racecourse located approximately 80km west of Murray Bridge, the South Australian horse racing landscape continues to thrive, with many metro trainers willing to send some of their equine talent to Murray Bridge in search for weaker company, but terrific prizemoney. Being located approximately 5km from the Murray River, MBRC isn’t only an outstanding location for racing, but the Bridges Event Centre offers a scenic location for functions both formal and informal, with three interchangeable spaces to suit your needs. Check out the Murray Bridge racecourse website for more details on the hospitality packages on offer. Murray Bridge horse racing news HorseBetting.com.au will always try to keep readers up-to-date with all the latest and breaking news from Murray Bridge and horse racing across the country. Here is the latest Murray Bridge racing news: Kelsey Hannan set for Adelaide riding stint Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Leading apprentice jockey Kelsey Hannan is heading across the Tasman this week to test the waters in Australia when based … Read More SA trainer Nicole Irwin in Alice, Highly Decorated set for Darwin Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 1 year ago First stop Alice Springs, then it’s back home before heading to Darwin. That’s the plan for Murray Bridge trainer Nicole … Read More Hidden gems at Morphettville ready to win soon | The Follow Files Australia horse racing news 2 years ago This week, the team at The Follow Files have found you a couple of runners from the Morphettville meeting that … Read More Alice Lindsay back on track after tough two years Australia horse racing news 2 years ago South Australia-based jockey Alice Lindsay is gradually getting her career back in shape after a whirlwind two years following a … Read More Rockstar Meggsy ready for Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic assault Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Short, stocky and “barrel-chested”, SA filly Rockstar Meggsy stands ready to take on some high-priced interstate raiders in Saturday’s $202,250 … Read More Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | July 3, 2021 Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Horse racing around the country sees 13 meetings being held around the country on this Saturday afternoon. Our racing analysts … Read More Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | June 19, 2021 Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you a couple of best bets and plenty of quaddie numbers at … Read More Murray Bridge tips & form for Wednesday, January 10 Australia horse racing news 7 years ago MURRAY Bridge is hosting the South Australian gallops this Wednesday and we cannot wait. The SA city has an entertaining … Read More Murray Bridge horse racing tips Our expert racing tipsters will provide all the analysis you need to find a winner at Murray Bridge and most horse racing meeting around Australia. Check out all the latest Murray Bridge horse racing tips here: Saturday free horse racing tips & top odds | March 9, 2024 Horse Racing Tips 5 months ago Explore free top tips and quaddie selections for Australian horse racing meetings on March 9, 2024. Don’t miss the action! … Read More Murray Bridge racing preview & quaddie tips | March 9, 2024 Horse Racing Tips 5 months ago Metropolitan racing in South Australia heads to Murray Bridge on Saturday. Check out HorseBetting’s free preview for the nine-race meeting … Read More Saturday free horse racing tips & top odds | December 23, 2023 Horse Racing Tips 8 months ago Explore free top tips and quaddie selections for Australian horse racing meetings on December 23. Don’t miss the action! … Read More Murray Bridge betting tips & quaddie | Saturday, December 23 Horse Racing Tips 8 months ago Racing heads to Murray Bridge racecourse on Saturday afternoon. Check out HorseBetting’s free preview and quaddie tips here … Read More Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | October 7, 2023 Horse Racing Tips 10 months ago 12 horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips and quaddie selections for free here at … Read More Murray Bridge Cup Day betting tips & top odds | October 7, 2023 Horse Racing Tips 10 months ago The Listed Murray Bridge Cup (1600m) headlines the stacked 10-race card at Murray Bridge on Saturday. Check out HorseBetting’s free … Read More Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | August 5, 2023 Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago 12 horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips and quaddie selections for free here at … Read More Murray Bridge racing tips & quaddie | Saturday, August 5 Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Racing returns to Murray Bridge on Saturday afternoon for a nine-race card. Check out HorseBetting’s best bets and quaddie tips … Read More Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | July 1, 2023 Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago 14 horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips and quaddie selections for free here at … Read More Murray Bridge best bets, top odds & quaddie | July 1, 2023 Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Racing returns to Murray Bridge on Saturday afternoon for a nine-race card. Check out HorseBetting’s best bets and quaddie tips … Read More Murray Bridge racecourse address & how to travel there Murray Bridge Racecourse is located at 342 Brinkley Rd, Murray Bridge South SA 5253 and is approximately a one-hour drive from the Adeliade CBD. The MBRC is to the south-east of Adelaide, so if you’re heading to the horse racing track from the major city, then here’s how to get there via car. Take the Glen Osmond Rd to National Highway M1, following along the M1 before exiting towards the B55/Murray Brg/Mannum. Continue onto Adeliade Rd before turning right onto Old Swanport Rd, from there, simply follow the signs and make another right onto Brinkley Rd. There is plenty of parking on course for travellers and locals alike, so feel free to drive to your location, or perhaps elect to get a taxi or uber to the course proper. Local bus routes are also available to take you to the track, so be sure to check the schedule so you don’t miss the opening race. Murray Bridge racecourse dimensions and starting points Murray Bridge Racecourse is run in an anti-clockwise direction, with a circumference of 1850m and a home straight of 420m, making it considered one of the fairest country tracks across the state. Races at Murray Bridge are held between distances of 900m to 2400m. Murray Bridge racecourse’s 900m starting point is from a chute located to the north-west of the winning post, while the 1000m starting point is located slightly further to the east, with only a short run to the course proper. The 1400m and 1600m starting points also disengaged from a chute located to the north-east of the winning post, while the 2400m start is located directly west of the winning post, with runners needing to make a sustained run down the home straight. All other starting positions at the Murray Bridge track disengaged from the course proper, including the 1200m and 2000m. Major races held at Murray Bridge racecourse There are many great races held at Murray Bridge racecourse, which is located in South Australia. The Listed Murray Bridge Gold Cup (1600m) is considered the biggest prize on offer at Murray Bridge Racecourse, with $100,000 up for grabs for connections. The Murray Bridge Gold Cup has been contested since 1999, with an honour role consisting of some of South Australia’s leading trainers — including Phillip Stokes, Tony & Calvin McEvoy and Will Clarken to name a few. The Chris Bieg-trained Excites Zelady holds the record for most wins in the Murray Bridge Gold Cup, taking it out on three occasions (2014, 2015, 2017). How to bet on the Murray Bridge races Australian horse betting sites provide the best options for punters placing their wagers on Murray Bridge races and horse racing across the nation. Online bookmakers, in contrast to the TAB, give punters some great promotional offers, form analysis, and best available prices for any given runner, including those at Murray Bridge races. Dabble (Dabble racing review), Neds (Neds racing review), and Playup (Playup racing review) are just some of the best available options, with most betting apps by these companies available on Android and iOS smartphones. If you’d rather bet on-course, then make sure you check out the betting ring at Hobart Racecourse, with all your local bookies likely to be represented, along with regular TAB facilities. View the full article

If the weather in Saratoga Springs of late is any indication of what's to come at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion Monday and Tuesday evenings, the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale is poised for a volcanic renewal. In 2023, a total of 154 yearlings sold for $75,055,000, averaging $487,370 with a median of 375,000. The gross jumped from $66,955,000 generated for 143 sold in 2022. “The vibe feels good here,” confirmed Taylor Made's Frank Taylor. “Everybody you would want to see in the courtyard, you would have seen walk in. The horses have been showing well and the weather hasn't been too hot and they're doing pretty well.” Taylor continued, “Like always, we try to bring horses up here that are really good physicals, have good walks, vet well and have pedigrees.” A total of 240 yearlings have been cataloged this season, up from the 235 enlisted one year ago. According to Fasig-Tipton's Boyd Browning Jr., the quality remains on par with seasons' past, highlighted by a pair of its poster boys and Classic division alums–GI Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey (Arrogate), a $300,000 Saratoga buy, and GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), also runner-up in the GI Kentucky Derby and third in the GI Belmont Stakes. The latter topped last year's sale with a $2.3 million final bid from White Birch Farm and M.V. Magnier. Also gracing this year's catalog, 2023 Preakness hero National Treasure (Quality Road), who returned at four to annex the GI Pegasus World Cup and the GI Met Mile. Rounding out the quartet, GI Del Mar Futurity scorer Prince of Monaco (Speightstown), runner-up in the June 8 GI Woody Stephens Stakes at Saratoga, realized $950,000 in Saratoga in 2022. “The success of our sales graduates has certainly made the sale,” said Browning. “It's even increased its prominence when you have horses like we've got on the front cover this year. These are some of the best stallions prospects in North America.” Browning points out that Saratoga shoppers have become accustomed to the quality that they find at the venue in upstate New York. “The buyers have high expectations when they come to Saratoga,” he explained. “Fortunately, our consignors continue to bring us horses that meet those expectations and that perform on the racetrack.” Taylor echoed that sentiment. “You really have to bring a horse up here that really vets well, looks good, walks good, has a good mind and shows well,” he said. “If you bring a horse that jumps through all the hoops, you'll get paid really well.” Commenting on the group of yearlings amassed for this summer's renewal, Browning said, “It's a fantastic group of yearlings on the sales grounds, and you know, that doesn't just happen. It's not magic on our part. The consignors had to show us quality yearlings and feel confident in bringing them here and they brought us the best. I'm very enthusiastic. I'm very excited and I can't wait to kick it off.” The annual boutique sale has become a well-established source of million-dollar babies. Case in point, the 2023 renewal of the auction saw 10 yearlings surpass the seven-figure mark, headed by the $4 million paid by Zedan Racing for a son of Curlin out of champion Beholder. While it is true the sale routinely unearths the fancy pedigrees and physicals that go for big money every year, the venue has developed a reputation of offering prospects to those not shopping at the top level of the market as well. “Our graduates are a testament to the fact that the sale can cater to different segments of the market,” Browning said. “You have Sierra Leone running in the Classics, a top caliber horse. He was a topper here. Then you have Seize the Grey, a horse that wins the Preakness and he brought $300,000 here. So that tells me a bit about the diversity of the horses that you have here.” He continued, “Honestly, I think it's a bit of a misconception about the Saratoga sale among some of the buyers. But I can tell you we've got 240 horses in this catalog and there are no fillers. They may not all be million-dollar horses, but every horse has been selected by their owners, consignors and lastly, by us. We start with 2500 yearlings in our process and we end up with 240 in the catalog. That's literally less than 10% of the horses we started with in the process and that actually ended up on the sale's grounds.” Underscoring that quality doesn't have to cost millions, Mill Ridge's Price Bell pointed toward a pair of the consignment's graduates who have exited the sale and gone on to excel. “We sold Seize the Grey and [MGSW & GISP] Red Carpet Ready (Oscar Performance–$180,000 purchase in 2021) here,” he said. “Both were sold for well below the average of the sale. But both were sold for very good prices for our owners and breeders. So we always nominated a lot of horses to the Fasig sales in March and their team comes out to inspect them and we talk through each one. They might not be the most expensive yearlings, but we feel like we can bring athletes here.” After kicking off the yearling market at the July sale last month, Browning expects to see more of the same in Saratoga. “I think that was an indication that there was interest and enthusiastic participation from a broad spectrum of buyers,” he affirmed. “Of course, business is alive and well. You're always a bit concerned when you kick off a new sales cycle, yearlings, 2-year-old and broodmares, etc. But July reaffirmed that, hey people still want good horses. They want racehorses.” Bell concurred that the catalog offers many opportunities to buy a top-rung prospect and that can fit into almost any program. “If the past is any indication, there are going to be four or five Grade I winners on the grounds,” said Bell. “So that's a great compliment to the Fasig recruitment team. It really is indicative of the quality that's here, that the owners, breeders and Fasig have worked to recruit and agree is the best place to showcase them. It's not for every horse, because it can be a long time to be here. It can give people an opportunity to fall out of love with them. But we hope that we do bring horses that people fall more in love with each time they see them.” Browning hopes the romance will start to flow in earnest come Monday at 6:30 p.m., affirming that many of the right players are already in place to produce fireworks over the next two evenings. “We've got the right buyers here,” he said. “I think we've got the right horses for those men and women who, hopefully, will pursue them aggressively and hopefully will achieve great results with them down the road.” The post Summer Heats Up at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While Cogburn will have to wait an additional week to run in the $300,000 Troy Stakes (G2T), in one sense the task will be easier due to a defection. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Observations features Heavens Gate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). 16.50 Naas, Cond, €300,000, 2yo, 5f 205yT HEAVENS GATE (IRE) (Churchill {Ire}) takes some time out from hardcore pattern-race battle to headline the cast for this Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes which is one of the most valuable median auction races in Europe. Ballydoyle's G2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and G3 Albany Stakes third is the class act in this renewal, where Teme Valley Racing's G3 Marble Hill Stakes third Midnight Strike (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) looks the most likely threat on paper. The post Heavens Gate Takes Aim At The Ballyhane appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Safe to say you won't be seeing long odds on The Queens M G (Thousand Words) any more. Off her shocking win at odds of 44-1 in the Schuylerville Stakes July 11, the Saffie Joseph, Jr. runner took serious money Sunday and rewarded her backers again at 5-2 with an impressive victory in the GIII Adirondack Stakes to become her freshman sire's (by Pioneerof the Nile) first graded winner. An unlikely debut winner at Keeneland Apr. 7, The Queens M G outlasted next out Kentucky Juvenile Fillies Stakes winner West Memorial (Caracaro) to bring the 45-1 upset for then-trainer Israel Acevedo before joining the Saffie Joseph, Jr. barn. Favored in the Astoria Stakes on Belmont weekend at Saratoga June 6, she faded badly to seventh and bettors responded to that effort with those long odds again in the Schuylerville. And so, coming into Sunday's Adirondack, The Queens M G needed to prove she could run at short odds and safe to say, the message was delivered. Breaking from the outside under Dylan Davis, who was also aboard for her Schuylerville win, 5-2 second choice was able to sit a nice trip in fourth as a trio of rivals pushed each other up front led by 'TDN Rising Star' Anakarina (Vekoma). Close to the speed of a :21.42 opening quarter, she began to inch up, taking third into the far turn while still outside in the clear and, under only a shake of the reins from Davis, it was game on. As the pacesetters wilted along the fence, The Queens M G tipped down to the inside and came home in style with only race favorite Italian Soiree (Uncle Mo) doing any running late to fill the exacta. “I think she improved a lot from her last start,” said Davis. “She got a little more aggressive and she knew what she had to do again today. She showed more. Outside post again, and I could really sit off it and let her do what she wants. She was more aggressive coming out of there on a hot pace. She's able to settle and she's really versatile. She just waits for my cue and responds. She's really nice to ride and the team did a good job with her again today.” Saffie Joseph, Jr. added: “She wasn't 40-1, so the pressure was on. I thought today we would see if we had a legit horse, or not. We were hoping to get back-to-back wins and get through it. The way she ran–she had a pace scenario–this was the first time she wasn't really pressing, she had to sit a little bit. We worked her the other day inside of a horse in case she drew inside. Thankfully, we got a good post again. She's drawn outside all three times, so that's been to her advantage. She showed a new dimension because she sat off a couple horses and she quickened. Today, was her best by far. Last time, she won but today was a different level.” Pedigree Note: The Queens M G is the first graded stakes winner, one of 10 individual winners and 2 stakes winners from the first crop of Spendthrift stallion Thousand Words. Just a $3,500 Fasig-Tipton October yearling buy and a private purchase after her debut win, she is the second foal and winner out of an unplaced Grindstone dam. This is the family of GSW/GISP and $5m FTKNOV Coolmore broodmare buy Untouched Talent (Storm Cat), GISW Bodemeister (Empire Maker) and MGSW Under the Stars (Pioneerof the Nile) along with MGISP Fascinating (Smart Strike). Also under the third dam is MGISW She's A Julie (Elusive Quality) who sold to Spendthrift for $3m at FKTNOV in 2020. Her only sibling is the 4-year-old winning Connect filly Miss Addie Lynn who produced her first foal, a Maximus Mischief filly this year. Sunday, Saratoga ADIRONDACK S.-GIII, $200,000, Saratoga, 8-4, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:17.83, ft. 1–THE QUEENS M G, 122, f, 2, by Thousand Words 1st Dam: Show Queen, by Grindstone 2nd Dam: Talent Queen, by Elusive Quality 3rd Dam: Parade Queen, by A.P. Indy 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($3,500 Ylg '23 FTKOCT). O-C Two Racing Stable and Mathis Stable LLC; B-T.F. VanMeter, Samuel Hernandez, Jesus Torres, Justin Vinalay (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.; J-Dylan Davis. $110,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, $254,380. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Italian Soiree, 120, f, 2, Uncle Mo–Social Call, by Smart Strike. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($290,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $600,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Hit The Bid Racing Stable, Morplay Racing LLC and Randall Hartley; B-Repole Stable, Inc. (KY); T-John P. Terranova, II. $40,000. 3–Atomic City, 120, f, 2, Twirling Candy–Knit One Purr Too, by Tale of the Cat. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($360,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Castleton Lyons; B-Jamm, Ltd (KY); T-Eddie Kenneally. $24,000. Margins: 9, 3, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.60, 1.70, 5.60. Also Ran: Dare to Breeze, Aguas de Cristal, Anakarina, Whatintheliteral. Scratched: Social Fortress, White Sands. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #9 The Queens M G backs up her Schuylerville win by dominating in the G3 Adirondack S. at Saratoga! @davisjockey was up for trainer Saffie Joseph. pic.twitter.com/vqjIfMMXUI — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 4, 2024 The post A Royal Procession For The Queens M G In Adirondack Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Honor Marie was the lone hopeful for the Aug. 24 Travers Stakes (G1) on the Saratoga Race Course work tab Aug. 4, as he breezed five furlongs in 1:00.85 over the Oklahoma Training Track. Thorpedo Anna later schooled in the paddock.View the full article