Wandering Eyes

Twelve older horses led by defending race winner Five Star General and 2022 victor Slew's Tiz Whiz square off in 89th running of the $150,000 Longacres Mile Aug. 11 at Emerald Downs.View the full article

To understand how well jockey Frankie Dettori has embraced racing and riding in the United States, it only takes one sentence. "I should have done this 10 years ago," Dettori said.View the full article

Star Fortress, a winner in 2022 in England and in 2023 in the United States, will look to add a third country to her successful stops when she races in the CA$200,000 Canadian Stakes (G2T) Aug. 10 at Woodbine.View the full article

By Jonny Turner Max Hill has starred on the rugby field this winter and will attempt to do the same at Ascot Park on Thursday. The junior driver was part of Wyndham’s Division One rugby competition win late last month. The victory was nice reward for Hill who had to sit out part of the rugby and harness racing seasons with a leg injury recently. The reinsman is safer than other Southland junior drivers under the high ball, but he isn’t one to talk up his rugby skill. “I scored a try in the final, it was a cross kick and I was lucky that it came off my knee but I was able to get it down.” Hill will be out to score a win on the track at Ascot Park on Thursday when he links up with two key drives. Deny Everything gets into race 6 with Hill’s junior claim and he looks a genuine winning threat. “He is coming back in grade from the Bluff Cup so you would think he would be a pretty good chance.” “I drove him at the workouts recently, we had a bit of a mishap on the home turn but he ran on quite well after that.” Hill will also link up with Robyns Playboy who returns following a winter freshen up. The pacer hasn’t been seen at the trials, but he’s known to run some of his best races fresh up. “The team has told me he has been working well, he hasn’t been anywhere but he does go well fresh.” “If he can bring his best he would have to be a good chance.” Hill also drives Raging Native who looks an outsider in race 1. Putere Boy good chance at Invercargill today By Jonny Turner The Macca Lodge team hopes their winning momentum can continue at Ascot Park on Thursday. The family operation only recently signed rookie trotting sire Six Pack to their roster, with the stallion going on to produce one of the feature winners at last weekend’s Hambletonian meeting at The Meadowlands just a matter of days later. Trainer Brent McIntyre is hoping for a similar performance from Putere Boy at Ascot Park, though the chances of him running a 1.53.3 mile rate look slim. The pacer comes into race 3 on the back of an excellent debut third at Winton last week. Following the scratching of the favourite Ill Be Back, punters will be lining up to put their faith in Putere Boy. McIntyre knows the horse can repay that faith, if he races up to his potential. “We were pleased with his run at Winton, he was just a bit green on the bend but he ran on quite well.” “He is still green and inexperienced, but the motor is definitely there.” “If he ran up to his ability he would run a cracker.” “But he is still not there with his ringcraft yet, we have worked on his steering so hopefully he will be better that way.” Craig Ferguson takes the reins behind Putere Boy, who his trainer races with good friend Ginger Timms. McIntyre, wife Sheree and son Caine are gearing up for another stud season at Macca Lodge, which is only a matter of weeks away. The family gained the services of Six Pack through Deo Volente Farms, the New Jersey stud farm that stands Lazarus. The McIntyres are thrilled to have recruited such a high-class trotting stallion. “Six Pack is at Deo Volente and they recently took over Perfect Sting who we also stand.” “Caine just happened to ask what they were doing with Six Pack and we were lucky enough to do a deal and get him.” “He was an incredible racehorse, he won nearly $2 million and he still holds the mile record for a three-year-old in America.” “Ake Svanstedt trained him and he spoke very highly of him.” “He is the man up there with trotters and he trained the two-year-old that won on Hambo day.” Perfect Sting will return to Macca Lodge for his second stud season, this spring. The stallion’s first crop of New Zealand foals are due to hit the ground soon. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the HIWU “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 08/06/2024 Licensee: Saul Morales, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Condemnation. Date: 08/05/2024 Licensee: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on August 6, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone- Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Return Fire, who won at Delaware Park on 6/20/24. Date: 08/05/2024 Licensee: Eric Foster, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Publius. Date: 08/05/2024 Licensee: John Servis, trainer Penalty: 5-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on August 6, 2024; a fine of $4,000. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7-days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Chance Occurrence. Date: 08/02/2024 Licensee: Christopher Davis, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Flunixin-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Papa Yo, who finished fifth at Hawthorne on 5/18/24. Date: 08/02/2024 Licensee: Dewight Wadams, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol and Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medications (Class C)-in a sample taken from All About Kathern on 6/3/24. Date: 08/01/2024 Licensee: Emmanuel Tzortzakis, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on August 2, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)- Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from The Gatekeeper, who won at Parx Racing on 6/26/24. Date: 08/01/2024 Licensee: Michael Tomlinson, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7-days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Beaver State. Date: 08/01/2024 Licensee: Neil Drysdale, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7-days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Love Alive. Date: 07/31/2024 Licensee: Jose Gallegos, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Sofster, who finished fourth at Monmouth Park on 6/15/24. Pending ADMC Violations 08/07/2024, Karen Godsey, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Will I Play on 6/29/24. 08/07/2024, Rob Atras, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Smile Mon, who finished fourth at Churchill Downs on 6/8/24. 08/07/2024, Rob Atras, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Margoinabubblebath, who won at Churchill Downs on 6/6/24. 08/07/2024, Rob Atras, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Condiment Girl, who finished fourth at Churchill Downs on 5/25/24. 08/07/2024, Rob Atras, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Harrodsburg, who won at Churchill Downs on 5/24/24. 08/05/2024, Monty Meier, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Icy Mischief, who won at Pleasanton on 7/5/24. 08/05/2024, Joe Offolter, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Chojo, who finished second at Prairie Meadows on 6/24/24. 08/01/2024, Thomas Drury, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Wildcat Dancer on 6/28/24. 08/01/2024, Billy Christian, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Abraaj Mirage, who won at Emerald Downs on 6/28/24. 08/01/2024, Shawna Christian, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Rhodium Runner, who won at Emerald Downs on 6/2/24. 08/01/2024, Billy Christian, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Olivian, who won at Emerald Downs on 6/9/24. Violations of Crop Rule One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Colonial Downs Michael Jones – violation date August 1; $500 fine, no other information available Thistledown Jan Baez – violation date August 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension Ricardo Feliciano – violation date August 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension Victor Severino – violation date August 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. New York Saratoga Irad Ortiz – violation date August 6; three-day suspension for interference down the stretch Read more on the story here. Javier Castellano – violation date August 1; five-day suspension for interference The post Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Aug. 1 – Aug. 7 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Bob Baffert brings a pair of his students who have made easy work of the competition in their debuts. Zedan Racing's Nooni, a Florida-bred daughter of Win Win Win, broke her maiden June 13 at Santa Anita Park with a 9 1/2-length romp.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Back at his office on the Oklahoma Training Track Wednesday morning, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott was trying to describe the four-furlong work he had just seen from his 3-year-old colt Batten Down (Tapit). “Wooosh,” was one of the sounds he made. “Phhhffftt,” was another. The cartoon melodies made by Mott were, supposedly, offered to show how impressive the grey/roan Batten Down looked to him. Batten Down was timed in :48 (2/13) in the move on the Oklahoma Training Track. It was his first work since finishing third in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 27. Fierceness (City of Light) won the Jim Dandy by a length over Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who was 5 3/4 lengths in front of Batten Down. Mott is pointing Batten Down to the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 24. “Well, the Travers will be tougher than the Jim Dandy,” Mott said. “I am not making any predictions. I mean, he would have had to move up to win the Jim Dandy. He sure has to move up to win the Travers.” After breaking his maiden in his fourth try, Batten Down won the GIII Ohio Derby at Thistledown on June 22 by 1 3/4 lengths over Gould's Gold (Goldencents), who then was fifth in the six-horse Jim Dandy. The Wednesday work was scheduled, Mott said, but only because of an ominous forecast for the weekend that is not looking favorable for training racehorses. Remnants from Tropical Storm Debby are expected to make a mess of things in the Saratoga Springs region this weekend. “I scheduled (Wednesday work) because of the weather,” Mott said. “I am trying to get some works (Thursday). After (Thursday) we may have three or four wet days.” Batten Downs is a full-brother to multiple graded winner Tacitus and 4-year-old filly Scylla. Scylla just finished second to the highly regarded 5-year-old mare Adare Manor (Uncle Mo), winner of 10 of 18 career starts, in the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar last Saturday. “Turning for home, I thought we were going to win it,” Mott said. “That other mare is pretty good.” Scylla is back at Mott's Saratoga barn; she had been training at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. “I don't have a plan for her,” Mott said. “The reason I brought her here was I want to get her in some cooler weather. It gets hot (in Kentucky). It gets hot here, but it cools off at night.” Mott also trained Tacitus as well as Close Hatches, the dam of all three. Lukas Still Has The Faith As Seize The Grey Continues Training For Travers The effort in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes wasn't a great one. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas will be first to admit that. But in no way shape or form has the Hall of Famer's confidence dimmed in Seize the Grey (Arrogate). The upset winner of the GI Preakness Stakes in May has finished off the board in last two, both at Saratoga Race Course. Seize the Grey | Sarah Andrew He was seventh in the GI Belmont Stakes on June 8 and then was a dull fourth in the GII Jim Dandy on July 27. “There is no give up in me and training these things,” Lukas said at his office on the Oklahoma Training Track Wednesday morning. “I learned over the years that if you can't run off tackle, run around the end. If you can't do that, throw the ball.” Seize the Grey has continued to work towards an expected start in the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes on Aug. 24. On Tuesday, he went five furlongs in :59.60 (1/4) on the Oklahoma Training Track. It was his first work since the Jim Dandy. “That was very, very impressive again,” Lukas said. “He is such a professional horse. You don't have to do anything special. He just turns around and does it and he's like, 'what's next?” Lukas waves off the notion that Seize the Grey does not like the Saratoga track. In the Jim Dandy, he said he was thinking about scratching the colt when he was saddling Seize the Grey. He said the horse seemed agitated before being saddled. Lukas noticed Seize the Grey pawing at the ground and he was a little wet in his flanks. “I've never seen that before with him,” Lukas said. “He was pawing like he was in discomfort. I thought, 'what the hell, maybe I am overreacting.' He has been fine since then. Excellent.” Englehart Says Mo Plex Likely To Run Next In Funny Cide The next start for GIII Sanford Stakes winner Mo Plex (Complexity) looks like it will be in the $200,000 Funny Cide Stakes against New York-breds on Aug. 25. “That's the way I'm leaning,” trainer Jeremiah Englehart said at his barn at the Oklahoma Annex. “Right now, I would say it's 80 percent.” Mo Plex wins the Sanford | Sarah Andrew Mo Plex won the six-furlong Sanford by a length on July 13. The other option would have been to wait for the GI Hopeful Stakes on Labor Day. The Funny Cide is six furlongs. “If he runs well there, then maybe we can stretch him out,” Englehart said. “The ultimate goal that everyone has is, 'hey, let's see if we can get to the Breeders' Cup. We are just going to go race by race.” Mo Plex had his first work since winning the Sanford on Saturday, going four furlongs in :49.90 (104/149) on the main track. Englehart expects two more works before the Funny Cide. “He showed good energy, it seems like he is on the right track,” Englehart said. “He absolutely loves what he is doing. That makes it a little easier for me.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Batten Down Continues To Prep For Date In Travers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maccabee Farm's accomplished Ohio-bred Who Dey leads a field of seven 3-year-olds entered in the $275,000 Ellis Park Derby on a six-stakes program Aug. 11 at Ellis Park.View the full article

Former WinStar stallion Good Samaritan (Harlan's Holiday–Pull Dancer, by Pulpit), who has previously shuttled to Chile, has been sold to interests in that country and will stand at Haras Mocito Guapo. The deal was brokered by Matt Bowling of Bowling Bloodstock and J.P. Sullivan of Sullivan Bloodstock. Winner of the 2017 GII Jim Dandy Stakes and 2018 GII New Orleans Handicap, Good Samaritan's placings included the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and the GI Clark Handicap. The millionaire retired to WinStar for the 2019 season and has sired six graded winners from his nine black-type winners. His graded winners in the U.S. include 2023 GII Bourbon Stakes winner Can Group and 2023 GIII Music City Stakes winner Secret Money, while his best runners in Chile include G1SW Yahshua (Chi). The post Good Samaritan Sold to Chilean Interests appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features an expensive auction purchase. 18.45 Sandown, Mdn,, £10,000, 2yo, 8fT DUNAMASE (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) debuts in the Wathnan silks in this maiden won in recent times by Too Darn Hot (GB) and Westover (GB), having cost the operation 500,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1. Introduced by Too Darn Hot's Clarehaven stable, the colt is out of the G2 May Hill Stakes winner and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Turret Rocks (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) who is previously responsible for Kingman's G3 Jersey Stakes winner Age Of Kings (Ire). The post Wathnan’s 500k Kingman Colt Debuts At Sandown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association elected David O'Farrell as chairman and new Board of Trustees members who will be serving three-year terms are Jake Ballis, Ben Bernhard, Tina Marie Bond and Brook Smith, the organization said in a release Wednesday. Also, re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Carrie Brogden and Tim Cohen. Following its annual members meeting, the TOBA Board of Trustees met to elect officers for the association. Officers named for 2024-2025 are: O'Farrell, chairman, Everett Dobson, vice-chairman, Dan Metzger, president; Chief Stipe Cauthen, secretary; and Garrett O'Rourke, treasurer. In American Graded Stakes Committee news, Brant Laue was elected chair. He will succeed Dobson who reached his term limit. Billy Koch's appointment to the committee was also approved. The 2024-2025 roster is comprised of members Laue (chair), Barbara Banke, Walker Hancock, Koch, O'Farrell, and Alex Solis II and racing officials Gatewood Bell (Keeneland), Dan Bork (Churchill Downs and Ellis Park), Martin Panza (NYRA), Rick Hammerle (Kentucky Downs), and Tora Yamaguchi (Del Mar). The post O’Farrell Chairman As TOBA Names Officers And Four New Trustees To Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nations Pride, Ancient Rome, and Highland Chief add some long-missing international flavor to the Aug. 11 Arlington Million Stakes (G1T) at Colonial Downs.View the full article

Following a pair of consecutive defeats to kick off her 6-year-old campaign, Fev Rover attempts to get back in the win column by defending her title in the $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G2T) at Colonial Downs Aug. 11.View the full article

Colonial Downs announced Aug. 7 that the Festival of Racing, originally scheduled for Aug. 10, has been rescheduled for Aug. 11.View the full article

Should weather force races off the turf Aug. 10, the New York Racing Association will aim to run the Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) and Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) as the final two races Aug. 11. View the full article

Irad Ortiz Jr., currently North America's leading jockey based on victories and purse earnings, and first and second in those same categories at the current Saratoga Race Course meet, will serve a three-day suspension Aug. 14-16 stemming from the disqualification of his mount from a win in the seventh race there Aug. 1. Ortiz waived his right to an appeal, according to an Aug. 6 stewards' ruling posted on the New York State Gaming Commission website. The race in which Ortiz got disqualified was a 1 3/16-mile $25,000 starter-allowance. He was aboard the 7-5 favorite On a Spree (Speightstown), a gelding who crossed the finish wire first for the third straight race before the stewards placed him second for interference to the eventual runner-up outside the quarter pole. The Equibase chart stated that from the far turn to the wire, On a Spree “dropped to the rail while asked inside the five-sixteenths pole, beat the runner-up to an inside opening while moving in front of that foe at that juncture, rallied to the lead into upper stretch then kicked clear before being put to a left-handed crop, remained well clear under a drive into the final sixteenth and held while put to lighter encouragement late.” The post Irad Ortiz, Jr. To Serve Three-Day Suspension For SPA DQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owners Karl and Cathi Glassman, this week's Green Group Guests of the Week on the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland, bought their first horse in 2015 and initially didn't have much to show for it. But they understood patience and that good fortune would eventually come their way. Did it ever. The Glassmans have their first star, the GI Whitney winner Arthur's Ride (Tapit). Making his stakes debut at age 4, he was a 2 1/4-length winner on a rainy day in Saratoga. The win gave Bill Mott his first victory in the Whitney. “It's horse racing,” Karl said. “We count our blessings every day, as Cathi said, to even have a horse run in Saratoga to run in the Whitney is still mind-boggling. And to win that race, I think we're both still on cloud nine. Where does it go from here? A lot of it depends on where Arthur takes us. Since he's come back from his challenges, he's never missed a work. He's healthy as he could be. And we just count our blessings where we are, and hopefully, he'll stay healthy and run in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Breeders' Cup. To run him there would be quite the honor.” Arthur's Ride didn't run between Feb. 11, 2023 and March 16, 2024. “It was a Wednesday morning, Bill called me and said that we had a problem,” Karl said. “He had tendon problems and we shipped him back to Barry (Eisaman). Barry did his magic, but he was still off for about a year. We've taken our time with him. Then we shipped him from Gulfstream to run at Churchill on a really tough, bottomless track and he didn't run well. Bill never lost the faith in him. We shipped him up to Saratoga on Belmont weekend and he won that allowance race impressively. After the race, I called Bill and I said, 'what's next?' He said, 'Jockey Gold Club. It's the right distance, a mile and a quarter.' But we are going to put him in a prep first. And I thought, 'I wonder what that means?' I said, 'Bill, what's the prep?'And he said that it was going to be in the Whitney.” Making the story all that more sweet, Karl named the horse after his late father, Arthur. “I try to not get emotional when I talk about this,” he said. “My dad was a special guy. My grandpa taught me how to read the Racing Form. I went to the track with my grandpa and my uncle. My dad raised five kids in a very middle-class background in California. So while he loved sports, loved racing, he didn't have time to go to the races. So I kind of had a misspent youth with my grandpa and my uncle and my friends. My dad was just such a great guy. And right before the pandemic, Cathi and I were able to take him to Santa Anita, take him through the paddock and watch a race from the winner's circle. He was so excited. He loved that so much. In January of 2022, we were at Gulfstream together, and he watched a horse that we owned break his maiden. I took my dad to the winner's circle, and he looked like we had just won the Kentucky Derby. It meant so much to him. In the days before that conversation, we had spent a lot of time together. As he got older he would say, 'I've had such a great ride.' And I told him that we had named a horse after him.” In our breeding spotlight section we cast an eye over WinStar stallion Constitution (Tapit). Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar, XBTV.com and Stonestreet Farm, the team of Zoe Cadman and Bill Finley looked back at the Whitney, the GI Test S. and the GI Clement Hirsch S.–won by the star filly Adare Manor (Uncle Mo). Randy Moss was not available because of NBC Olympic broadcast commitments. Finally, the disqualification of Maximum Security (New Year's Day) from his win in the inaugural Saudi Cup was discussed as was marathon superstar Next (Not This Time). Finley wants to see the distance specialist tested in the big money races, which are contested at a mile-and-a-half or less. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here. The post Karl And Cathi Glassman Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Colonial Downs announced Aug. 7 that the Festival of Racing, originally scheduled for Aug. 10, has been rescheduled for Aug. 11.View the full article

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. was selected as the 2024 Mike Venezia Memorial Award recipient, the New York Racing Association said in a press release on Wednesday. The Louisiana native was chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Venezia family, representatives of The Jockeys' Guild and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore. Hernandez Jr. will be recognized at Saratoga Race Course on Friday, Aug. 23. The Mike Venezia Memorial Award is presented annually to a jockey who displays the extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship that personified Venezia, who died as the result of injuries suffered in a spill in 1988. Since the inaugural award was given in 1989, other winners include Bill Shoemaker, Chris McCarron, Gary Stevens and last year's recipient Junior Alvarado. The post Brian Hernandez Jr. Wins 2024 Mike Venezia Memorial Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thursday's G3 Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown sees the return of Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) following her disappointing effort in the Oaks, but this will be no soft reintroduction for Ballydoyle's G1 Fillies' Mile winner with fellow TDN Rising Star Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) lying in wait. Back at a mile for her comeback, having been injured at Epsom, Ylang Ylang was previously fifth in the 1,000 Guineas and that would normally be a standard-setting performance in this type of race but Galen has caught up quick and looked a class act with successes at The Curragh and Killarney by a cumulative margin of 20 lengths. Trainer Joseph O'Brien said, “He's stepping up, but he has earned that and he is coming off the back of two very good wins. Even for a group race, it looks a very hot race, but we're looking forward to the step up in class with him.” The post Fascinating Clash In The Desmond appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With heavy rain associated with Tropical Storm Debby forecast to impact Saratoga Springs on Friday and Saturday, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will add the GI FanDuel Fourstardave Handicap and GI Saratoga Derby Invitational as contingency races for Sunday, Aug. 11, the track said in a Wednesday press release. Should weather force races off the turf on Saturday, Aug. 10, then NYRA will aim to run the Fourstardave and Saratoga Derby as the final two races on Sunday, Aug. 11. To allow for increased flexibility, those races will fall outside of all horizontal wagers. NYRA is monitoring weather forecasts closely and will provide updates as necessary. The post If Saturday’s Saratoga Derby and Fourstardave Are Off The Turf, Races Will Move To Sunday Says NYRA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Colonial Downs Racetrack has pushed its Festival of Racing, which includes the GI Arlington Million, back a day after it was originally scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 10, the track said in a Wednesday release. The decision to switch the card to Sunday, Aug. 11 was made after confirmation from weather experts that heavy rain caused by Tropical Storm Debby would hit the Tidewater by the end of the week. While most of the conditions are expected to clear the area by Saturday, safety is the highest priority. Gates will open for the Festival of Racing on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET with the first post set for 1 p.m. ET. General admission and parking are free and all previously purchased tickets will be honored. The post Colonial Downs Shifts Festival Of Racing Back A Day To Sunday, Aug. 11 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just last week, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority released its latest safety figures, showing a four-quarter consecutive decline in equine fatalities. Indeed, in the second quarter of this year, tracks operating under HISA reported 0.76 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts–significantly lower than the perennial national average. But on the flip side of these statistics is an ongoing concern among stakeholders that the enforcement arm of the national program is in certain areas proving too onerous, and that the penalties aren't always an appropriate response to the violation. To discuss these concerns, the TDN recently spoke with Alan Foreman, chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and national ombudsman on behalf of HISA and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU). In this role, Foreman serves as an impartial resource and advocate for the nation's horsemen and women. The following is the first part of a long, discursive conversation. It has been edited for clarity and brevity. Part two will be published tomorrow. TDN: The Mike Puype case has caused a lot of consternation in California. On the-one hand, the rules are the rules, and HISA officials have made clear that stakeholders shouldn't be in possession of a whole list of items and medications. But on the other hand, here you have a trainer with a pretty spotless track record–just two minor medication positives over the last 18 years according to thoroughbredrulings.com–and he's facing a potentially significant ban not for administration but for the possession of banned substances, Levothyroxine and Isoxsuprine. This has the potential to effectively end his career. (Note: Levothyroxine was permitted in California pre-HISA, but isoxsuprine lost FDA approval in 2020, making it prohibited under CHRB regulations) Though the case is still being adjudicated, what it points to more broadly are misgivings among stakeholders that sometimes, the punishments being meted out just don't fit the crime. Do you share these concerns? AF: I do share the concerns about the issue of penalties fitting the crime. But you have to separate out the controlled therapeutic substances from the banned substances because they're treated differently. I'm not involved in the Puype case, so I want to be careful in my response. But there have been previous cases since the new rules went into effect a year ago involving trainers who had in their possession a banned substance. And there has been an extensive educational process to warn trainers to go through their barns to ensure that they are not in possession of–or have in their tack rooms or in their personal belongings–banned substances. These previous cases have also involved trainers with spotless records. The penalties, however, are mandated by the rules and are difficult to mitigate. But not impossible. There will be an extensive investigation in this case. There will be a determination made as to why the trainer was in possession of those substances. Possession cases are treated the same as if the drug was in the horse under the rules. He will have an opportunity to explain why he's in possession of those substances, and there will be an opportunity through the process to mitigate the violation if in fact it is determined that there is a violation. My concern is that, to the extent that we have commented upon or expressed concerns about the application of these rules in these instances, there doesn't seem to have been an outcry from the industry about trying to fix the problem until now–certainly with the California interests, who feel that this may be unfair. TDN: As you point out, there is the opportunity for these penalties to be mitigated. Should HISA/HIWU deploy this approach more extensively than they have so far? AF: They have the opportunity to do so, but it's limited. Since we're not dealing with a drug that's in the horse, we're dealing with possession. Why is the trainer in possession of these substances? What is the explanation? And once that explanation is made, is there an analysis of no significant fault or negligence? If there is a finding of no fault, then the penalty is completely mitigated. If there is no significant fault, there is the ability to mitigate as with negligence. But under the rules, the reduction in a penalty for a violation is very limited. Instead of a two-year suspension, it is an 18-month suspension. And either way you look at it, it's potentially career ending. Which begs the question: Is this an appropriate penalty for the violation? It's very fact specific. If you're in possession of a gene and a blood doping agent then yes, probably the mandatory penalty applies. But if you're in possession of other substances for which there is an explanation, or they don't go to the integrity or safety and welfare of the horse, then they should be viewed differently. I think what the industry is wrestling with now is what is an appropriate penalty for certain violations. To the extent that the rules do not permit discretion, or HIWU feels it does not have discretion under the rules, that should be changed. There should always be room for discretion and the exercise of common sense. TDN: Just to be clear, what you're saying is that these penalties aren't always appropriate, especially when it comes to certain substances currently banned under HISA, correct? AF: Pre-HISA, the industry's principal concern with banned substances was gene and blood doping agents, snake venom, along with the kinds of substances that are difficult to detect–the EPOs, for example–that go to the heart of the integrity of the sport and the safety and welfare of the horse. You don't see those cases very often. And in those situations, there should be summary suspensions and there should be a very aggressive prosecution and a very aggressive penalty. But as we've seen with the banned substances over the past year, we've been dealing with substances of human abuse–your methamphetamines, which we know can be transferred from human to horse. If HISA had not been willing to make changes to those rules, you had trainers who were facing the loss of their livelihood through no fault of their own, notwithstanding whatever measures they could have taken to prevent it. You also have other substances like metformin for example, where it's being suggested that it's showing up in horses because of contamination. And metformin isn't the only drug on the prohibited substance list for which that might happen. Controlled medication with syringe | Sarah Andrew We have been advocating for HISA to take a fresh look at the banned substances list and see if it isn't possible to categorize those substances similar to the way the controlled therapeutic substances have been categorized: A, B, and C, based on the severity or potential to affect the horse and adjust the penalties accordingly depending upon the category. If it was a category “A” banned substance, there's your mandatory two years, $25,000 fine, and so on. You can see what HISA is doing now with the drugs of human substance abuse–a maximum suspension of 60 days, but which can be mitigated to zero based on the facts and circumstances and the likelihood that the drug was in the horse because of contamination as opposed to an intentional administration. I think the [same approach with some other banned substances] would go a long way towards reducing some of the angst that pervades the backstretch. TDN: You brought up the issue of provisional suspensions. HISA and HIWU have repeatedly argued they're necessary to maintain the integrity of the game and issued only in cases of higher import. But on the other hand, they're issued before a party has had a chance to formally argue their case. Are these provisional suspensions a fair exercise of judicial authority? AF: The provisional suspensions come from the international rules. But I would argue that the statute that enables HISA says that with respect to enforcement, HIWU should take into consideration the unique aspects of horse racing. As we have articulated to HISA, we believe that provisional suspensions should be limited to the most serious cases involving threats to the integrity of the sport or the health and welfare of the horse, and that provisional suspensions not be issued in cases that do not fit into that category. We're only dealing again with banned substances here. We're not dealing with controlled therapeutic substances. But again, unless you're dealing with the most serious threats to the industry, I think that a trainer should be given the opportunity to defend himself, to have and enjoy all of the privileges of due process that is provided. These cases are being handled relatively quickly, and in my opinion, there is no harm to the integrity of the sport or the system by letting these trainers defend themselves without putting them under provisional suspension. TDN: When you say, 'the most serious threats to the industry,' I'm assuming you are talking about things like EPO, gene doping? AF: Yes. Not every one of the substances that's on the banned list would fit into that category. But I'm not a scientist, and I would hope that HISA, as it is doing right now with metformin, would take advantage of the RMTCs scientific advisory committee–which is an independent arm of the industry and comprised of the industry's best scientists–to undertake a review of the banned substances list to see if it would be possible to categorize them and then adjust the penalties accordingly. TDN: Have you seen any cases so far that have warranted a provisional suspension? AF: I don't want to discuss any particular cases, but I've seen instances where I feel that a provisional suspension would not have been appropriate. For example, with respect to the drugs of human substance abuse, all the early cases resulted in provisional suspensions, and that was unfair. But in response to industry concerns and criticism, the rules have been changed. We're still waiting for the FTC to approve them, but HISA's not applying provisional suspensions in those cases. Dirt hooves | Sarah Andrew I think there were other cases where contamination clearly was evident, as opposed to an intentional administration, where a provisional suspension, in my opinion, was not necessary. But you have to understand also that there is a wall between HISA and HIWU. HIWU is an independent enforcement agency whose responsibility is to enforce the rules that have been handed to them by HISA. So, when we get into situations where we find rules to be problematic, we have to advocate to HISA and to HIWU for change. And that's what we do. TDN: The wall that exists between HISA and HIWU leads to another key concern repeatedly raised by stakeholders: The perception that certain parties charged with an offense are being treated more leniently than others by virtue of their reputation and their connections. Do you share these concerns? AF: I have seen no evidence of that whatsoever. First of all, the system is transparent. If you peruse the rulings for controlled therapeutic substances, you'll see that they've been uniformly applied across the board. The system works very similarly to the pre-HISA enforcement mechanism. I have not seen any examples in the controlled area of favoritism of any kind. And that's one of the things the system was set up to avoid. A trainer might get favorable treatment in one jurisdiction as opposed to a trainer in another jurisdiction. It was supposed to be uniform. And I think that if you look at the rulings, they've been uniform. I think where that notion has arisen relates to the current review of metformin by HISA and the scientific community. But all they've done is pause enforcement of metformin cases. They've decided to take a step back and ask for a thorough scientific review. The RMTC scientific advisory committee will advise HISA of its conclusions. If the rules need to be adjusted, or that the enforcement process needs to be adjusted, it will be adjusted. But that's not an indication of favoritism. TDN: Just to be clear, it strongly appears that it took a metformin case against a George Weaver–someone very well respected in the industry–to prompt the sort of change we've seen in the modified enforcement approach to metformin. AF: I can't dispute that. Although my understanding is that recent scientific information was the reason why HISA determined to ask assistance from the scientific advisory committee. I can tell you as an advocate for horsemen and as ombudsman, when we hear or we see concerns about the rules themselves, or the application of the rules, it would be helpful, rather than us being the lone advocates, to get help from other stakeholders in the industry, many of whom were responsible for the creation of HISA and these rules, because they're the ones who react. When you have situations like the George Weaver case or the Mike Puype case in California, it's when it hits home that then they say, 'oh well, this isn't what we intended, or this isn't fair.' But where were they in these other cases for which we've been advocating, and where we've seen these concerns? To me, the industry needs to step forward. And if it feels that these cases are not being handled fairly, they need to step to the plate and say so. The post Alan Foreman Q And A Part 1: “I Share Concerns About Penalties Fitting The Crime” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Guy Lavender has been appointed the new chief executive officer of Cheltenham Racecourse, The Jockey Club announced on Wednesday. He will begin his new role early next year, working alongside Cheltenham managing director Ian Renton. The duo will coordinate the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, and Renton, who has served in his role since 2012, will remain involved at the racecourse in an advisory capacity at least through the event. Lavender was previously the CEO and secretary of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) since 2017 and since 2022 has been a committee member at Exeter Racecourse. Lavender said, “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the next CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse and very much look forward to playing my part in the long-term success of the Racecourse and The Festival. “There is an excellent platform to build upon and whilst there will be much to learn I have a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities in racing through my tenure on the Committee at Exeter Racecourse. “Cheltenham is a great British sporting institution, and I am determined to ensure it goes from strength to strength.” Nevin Truesdale, group chief executive, The Jockey Club, added, “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to announce Guy Lavender as the new CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse. “Guy's deep and wide-ranging experience in sports events and administration will prove invaluable in his new role and should also ensure the continued advancement of the Home of Jump Racing and the Cheltenham Festival. “Ian Renton has overseen a period of huge change at Cheltenham Racecourse following the 2014-15 redevelopment, which he led, and we look forward to his continued contribution as he and Guy manage a smooth leadership transition at the beginning of 2025.” The post Guy Lavender Appointed New CEO Of Cheltenham Racecourse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There can't be many tracks that that deviate further from the standard American model than Goodwood. Even in Britain nobody today would dream of laying out a racecourse along a twisting ridge of downland, and we remain duly indebted to the militia officers who first eked out a little sport here 223 years ago. Not that the horses themselves share our appreciation for a gorgeous panorama of cornfields and woodland, focused as they are on keeping their balance over the swaying terrain and round sharp right-hand bends. Yet last week “dirt” blood once again proved far more potent than its marginal representation in Europe should allow. Thursday's card alone featured Group scores for Justify and Complexity, while lesser prizes fell to American Pharoah, Tamarkuz's half-brother Without Parole and a son of Scat Daddy. The Group winners each exemplified one the two principal conduits for a recent renewal of transatlantic exchange after an era of deplorable insularity. G2 Richmond Stakes scorer Black Forza (Complexity) had crossed the water thanks to the willingness of breeze-up pinhookers to roll the dice at American yearling sales; while the G1 Nassau S. success of Opera Singer (Justify) confirmed the European industry's debt to John Magnier for once again introducing some extraneous invigoration. Justify has quickly established that the prowess which proved equal to the iconic challenge of dirt racing can be adapted to the demands of Europe. But Complexity is another story again. Black Forza | Goodwood Racecourse As a GI Champagne Stakes/GII Kelso Handicap winner by Maclean's Music out of a Yes It's True mare, the Airdrie sensation could hardly be expected to extend his flying start to the European theater. But it's remarkable how readily Europeans shed their distrust of dirt brands once a horse has been introduced to their domestic market by a local pinhooker. That's presumably because the stopwatch is now so decisive at 2-year-old sales (“Oh, no, that's unfair–times are just one of the many factors we agents take into account yadda yadda yadda….”) that pedigrees have in that marketplace almost been neutralized. Breeze-up consignors know that if only they can demonstrate functionality, then European end-users will pay well for horses that would have made them run away screaming as yearlings. Black Forza was actually born the same day that his dam (with her ex utero bonus) changed hands for $50,000 at Fasig-Tipton in February 2022, and was sold as a weanling at Keeneland that November for $27,000. Tom Whitehead of Powerstown Stud then risked $65,000 for him at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale last year, and received due reward when Michael O'Callaghan paid £220,000 at the Goffs U.K. Breeze-Up Sale in April. In other words, starting literally at birth, he had been a “commodity” four times before he ever entered a starting gate. As colleague Brian Sheerin has told us, his emergence has meanwhile transformed the value of his dam Harlee Honey (Harlan's Holiday), picked out of a Fasig Digital Sale for just $11,000 last summer by Ashley Hillyard. The mare's half-sister California Nectar (Stormy Atlantic) won the GII Santa Ynez Stakes, while another sibling by Blame won an Ohio-bred stakes; and maybe some chlorophyll has percolated from her granddam, who was by that flexible influence Dixieland Band out of a half-sister to 1984 Epsom Derby winner Secreto. Complexity | Sarah Andrew But whatever her contribution, it's astounding for a $12,500 rookie like Complexity to have produced the winners of a keynote midsummer race for juveniles either side of the ocean, with Black Forza reciprocating Mo Plex in the GIII Sanford Stakes. This time last year, remember, Mo Plex was a $27,000 RNA in the New York catalogue at Saratoga, before selling for $45,000 at OBS in April. Setting the pace across all indices in the freshman table, it does look as though Complexity must be moving up his mares. His unraced dam is half-sister to a Grade II winner and has otherwise produced graded stakes winner Valadorna (Curlin) to run second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies; and the next dams were respectively Grade II-placed and an unraced half-sister to a dual Grade II winner. That's pretty solid for a family that has not been seeded too glamorously through recent generations. In a phrase I like borrowing from John Sikura, when a horse goes to stud “the genetic switch is either off or on.” But it's pretty rare that we find out as soon as this. Wouldn't it be something if that surreal race for the GI Forego Stakes in 2020 turned out to be the key stallion signpost of that miserable year? It was run through mud and torrential rain, before empty stands, and Complexity absorbed such brutal fractions that Win Win Win could pounce from the other side of Albany to get virtually his first call on the line. In the ring and in his first skirmishes on the track, Win Win Win has himself been doing things that should be beyond a $5,000 cover. There were plenty of horses putting themselves in line for much bigger fees that year, but Thoroughbreds will always keep us guessing. And long may that continue. High and Low Points in Grace's Journey Into Mischief has been a lock to retain his title ever since Laurel River loaded up his saddlebags early in the year, but the Spendthrift phenomenon would by now top the standings even without that help. Of course, he does have quantity to match his quality. That's increasingly less true of deposed champion Tapit, who must be duly saluted for producing his 32nd elite winner in Arthur's Ride. At 23, Tapit is being managed by the Gainesway team with all the veneration he has earned. Already last year he was restricted to precisely 100 mares and so far in 2024 he has fielded barely a third of the cavalry started by Into Mischief. Arthur's Ride | Sarah Andrew Arthur's Ride is out Points of Grace (Point Given), who won the GII Dance Smartly Stakes for Live Oak, also breeder of her first few foals. But she was sold for just $30,000 as a 10-year-old, signed for by Mersad Metanovic at the 2015 Keeneland November Sale, in foal to none other than the emerging Into Mischief. At least Live Oak had retained her 2014 daughter by Exchange Rate, who proceeded to renew her dam's value with a big Canadian success of her own in the GI Natalma Stakes. An interval of a couple of years in her production record suggests that the new owners of Points of Grace may have endured one or two misfortunes, but Helen and Joseph Barbazon then managed to breed a stakes-placed filly by Treasure Beach (GB), which rare distinction appears to have warranted some more ambitious covers down the line. Her next foal, an Arrogate filly foaled in 2019, ignited her sire's posthumous success as his first stakes winner (actually on turf, emulating her dam) at Gulfstream on the first day of 2020. That earned Points of Grace the first of two consecutive appointments with Tapit, respectively producing a colt and a filly. Both have ended up in the Glassman Racing Stable. Donato Lanni signed a $250,000 docket for the colt at the 2021 September Sale. Named for Karl Glassman's late father, he has required plenty of patience but Arthur's Ride has finally put it all together round a second turn at the Spa this summer, winning no less a race than the GI Whitney on his stakes debut. His sophomore sister, again co-bred by the Barbazons with the Tapit Syndicate, cost Glassman Racing twice as much ($525,000) when taking her turn through the September Sale. She broke her maiden at the seventh attempt at Horseshoe Indianapolis last month, but turns out to have been aptly named as Genetics. Even as it was, Points of Grace is a half-sister to Fatefully (Private Account), a dual Listed winner in England whose stakes performers/producers are headed by G1 Nassau S. winner Favourable Terms (GB) (Selkirk). And now Genetics has a second Grade I-winning sibling to boost her residual value. Now 19, Points of Grace this spring dignified the debut book of Verifying, Midnight Bisou's half-brother by Justify, new to the roster at her owners' Pleasant Acres Farm. Incentive Strengthens Blue Hen Credentials As lately illustrated by the dams of Nakatomi (Firing Line) and Black Forza, respectively discarded for $2,000 and $11,000, the breeding stock market can yield some pretty anguished remorse. But sometimes everyone can be a winner. It would be hard, for instance, to complain of banking “only” $2.15 million for the dam of Highly Motivated (Into Mischief) at Fasig-Tipton last fall–especially as she appears to have been nearly culled a few years previously, and before that even broke her maiden under a tag. Yet purchaser Alpha Delta Stable has meanwhile celebrated the elevation of Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward) as already–at just 12–one of the most significant broodmares in the Bluegrass. Ways and Means | Tod Marks Within a month of her sale, Strong Incentive's son Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}) made a Grade I breakout in Matriarch Stakes. And now her next foal, Ways and Means (Practical Joke), already runner-up in the Spinaway Stakes last year, has achieved an elite success of her own in the Test Stakes. The Kentucky Derby was the only Grade I race ever contested by Highly Motivated himself. But he ran champion Essential Quality to a neck in the GII Blue Grass Stakes, and may well be playing the Dansili (GB) role here. (That horse was probably the most talented foal out of Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) despite never emulating the elite scores of four siblings.) Regardless, her record with four named foals leaves the Alpha Delta team an enviable commercial dilemma over the Good Magic filly delivered by Strong Incentive a few weeks after her arrival. I'm always intrigued by how many of the most expensive mares at breeding stock sales are by stallions that would never be remotely entertained by the big programs at the yearling sales. Strong Incentive's sire, nowadays standing at $3,500 in Pennsylvania, is a case in point. But other daughters of Warrior's Reward have produced GI Champagne Stakes winner Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) and Super Chow (Lord Nelson). (Incidentally the latter, a triple graded stakes scorer this year, has a remarkable pedigree: his second dam is a full sister of his sire's granddam.) Though never favored by high-class mares, perhaps Warrior's Reward as a distaff influence is filtering some of the blood that nourished an ocean of black type under third dam Quilloquick (Graustark). Of course, it's not just Strong Incentive whose value has increased since her sale. Highly Motivated is now looking a pretty outsized genetic package at just $7,500 and, as his neighbor Complexity is showing, he could not be in better hands to seize his opportunity. The post Breeding Digest: Overcoming the Dirt Complex appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article