Wandering Eyes

A three-race stakes card at Ellis Park Aug. 3 was marred by tragedy when the popular, 15-time-winning mare Ova Charged broke down in the stretch when racing in the Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes. View the full article

In his first stakes appearance, Glassman Racing's Arthur's Ride handled the class jump with ease as he dominated the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) in front-running fashion at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–There is a good reason why White Sands (Into Mischief), the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Sunday's $200,000, GIII Adirondack for 2-year-old fillies at Saratoga Race Course, isn't going to run. She's not here. Trainer Wesley Ward said Saturday morning on the Saratoga backstretch that White Sands is at Keeneland and likely waiting for one of two races at Del Mar next weekend: the $150,000 GIII Sorrento for 2-year-old fillies on Aug. 10 or the $150,000 GIII Best Pal Stakes for 2-year-olds on Aug. 11. White Sands, owned by Mrs. John Magnier and Linda Shanahan, has won both of her career starts at places you don't normally see Ward youngsters run. She broke her maiden at Belterra Park in Cincinnati on May 25, winning by 9 1/2 lengths. She then went to Prairie Meadows in Iowa and beat colts in the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes on July 6. That seemed even easier as she romped by 13 3/4 lengths. Wesley Ward | Keeneland The impressive victories are not what you would first notice about White Sands. She only has one eye. Ward said the right eye is missing on the filly, who is a half-sister to 2021 champion sprinter Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music). “We took it so carefully with her,” Ward said. “We always trained her with a friend.” Ward decided not to have White Sands run in baby races at Keeneland or Churchill Downs or Belmont (at Aqueduct) because of her handicap. “I just thought I would wait and let her come and try to get her maiden broke at Belterra where you would not expect, with the purse structure there, to be anything of consequence like there would be at Churchill or Keeneland or Belmont,” Ward said. “She got in there and was a heavy favorite and won convincingly which is what we wanted.” After dominating the competition in her first two starts, that handicap has become a distant memory. “She bounced out to the front (in the race against colts) and off she went,” Ward said. “Now, she just trains like any other horse.” Ward said there is some talk of maybe bringing White Sands to Saratoga for the $150,000 Bolton Landing, a 5 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies on the grass on Aug. 18. However, Ward said that where he trains in Lexington, there is no turf breezing available. If the Bolton Landing were to be an option, White Sands would come to Saratoga to train. “That would take us away from going to California, so we are kind of stuck,” Ward said. “We have to make a decision in the next few days.” Trainer Beckman Not Worried No One Is Talking About Honor Marie As the Saratoga meet barrels towards the $1.25 million GI Travers Stakes, all–or most of–the attention is on horses named Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) and Dornoch (Good Magic), Fierceness (City of Light), Seize the Grey (Arrogate) and Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and, most recently, Muth (Good Magic). Honor Marie | Sarah Andrew It seems like Honor Marie (Honor Code) has been the forgotten horse. He hasn't gone anywhere. He's still over at trainer Whit Beckman's barn and he's working just as hard as the others to get ready for the Midsummer Derby. It's just that no one is talking about him. Maybe it's because Honor Marie hasn't won a big one yet. He is 0-4 this year with a second in the GII Louisiana Derby being his best finish. He was eighth in the GI Kentucky Derby and fourth in the GI Belmont Stakes with less-than-ideal trips. “That's ok,” Beckman said outside his barn Saturday morning when asked about the lack of attention his horse has gotten. “Some people have lost interest a little bit. He has been out of sight, out of mind. You have a lot of high-profile horses coming in here, like those that ran in the (GII) Jim Dandy or a horse like Muth that is super flashy and super strong.” Beckman is confident that his horse fits with these. And he'll get his chance to prove it. He is scheduled to have a five-furlong work Sunday morning on the Oklahoma. Beckman said that Tyler Gaffalione will be on board for the work. Gaffalione has worked the horse twice at Saratoga and he has also been teamed with Irad Ortiz Jr. and Manny Franco in the mornings. Beckman is still waiting to see who will ride Honor Marie in the Travers. “We will have someone lined up soon,” he said. “I want to get the best fit for the horse.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: One-Eyed White Sands, Favored In Adirondack, Won’t Run appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A 12 3/4-length winner of a rare 10-furlong allowance June 7, Glassman Racing's ARTHUR'S RIDE (c, 4, Tapit–Points of Grace, by Point Given) was bet down from a morning line of 8-1 into 6-1, owing to the 111 Beyer Speed Figure and despite the presence of GI Met Mile winner National Treasure (Quality Road) and other, proven handicap horses. Making his stakes debut on top of everything else in Saturday's Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, Arthur's Ride was intent on the lead, set a searching gallop and proved not for catching. Hustled away from gate nine by Junior Alvarado, the $250,000 Keeneland September graduate had to do a bit of work, but got there all the same through enervating splits of :23.26 and :46.63 prompted along by Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) as odds-on National Treasure was forced to do his running from off the pace, though he was well-spotted in the box seat. Moving right along through three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.29, Arthur's Ride began to get away at the top of the lane, pinched an insurmountable advantage into the final furlong and held sway as Crupi (Curlin) and Post Time (Frosted) made belated progress. National Treasure was sixth. Remarkably, Hall of Famer Bill Mott was celebrating his first win in the Whitney. Sales history: $250,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 7-4-2-0. O-Glassman Racing; B-Helen & Joseph Barbazon (FL); T-Bill Mott. ARTHUR'S RIDE, son of @Gainesway stallion Tapit, dominates in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes under @JuniorandKellyA for Bill Mott! pic.twitter.com/BUlSskkElf — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 3, 2024 The post Tapit’s Arthur’s Ride Takes Them All The Way In the Whitney appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2020 Saudi Cup winner Midnight Bisou is now a broodmare in Japan, having been purchased for $5.5 million by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm in the fall of 2022. But one of her foals can carry on the family name domestically and is in training.View the full article

Sent of as the 27-10 second choice in the Saturday opener from Del Mar, JACK'S MAGIC GIRL (f, 2, Good Magic–Stargirl, by Medaglia d'Oro) turned in an exceptionally strong and professional debut, kicking on smartly through the final furlong to win by a space and become the afternoon's second 'TDN Rising Star.' Away without incident from gate six, the $100,000 OBS April purchase took up a ground-saving position three back on the fence in midfield and switched off nicely when the pace dropped away through the middle furlongs. Patiently handled into the turn, she continued to scrape paint on the turn, came off the fence into the three-wide line, punched through and sprinted away to score by the better part of five lengths. Sales history: $100,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $100,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Drager, Johnson & Parga; B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY); T-O J Jauregui. JACK'S MAGIC GIRL ($7.40) practically teleported down the lane in @DelMarRacing race 1. @ojjauregui trained the 2-year-old daughter of Good Magic (@HillnDaleFarm), @HIBerrios up! Early Pick 4 time: https://t.co/kxLtjbx3tn pic.twitter.com/ojwmmxwNct — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 3, 2024 The post Good Magic’s Jack’s Magic Girl Does Everything Right On Del Mar Debut, Earns ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Sunday, August 4. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Forbes, Sandown & Sunshine Coast. Sunday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – August 4, 2024 Forbes Racing Tips Sandown Racing Tips Sunshine Coast Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on August 4, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

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Ways and Means, unlucky in top company a year ago when second in the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course after being shut off down the backstretch, triumphed Aug. 3 in the $500,000 Test Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies.View the full article

Khaadem looked the winner from a long way out in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Ascot in fast conditions, but was unable to back up that performance when only 10th behind Mill Stream in the July Cup.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–With his romp through mud in the opener at Saratoga Race Course Saturday, Reach for the Rose (Audible) hit the target that owner-breeder Ken Ramsey and trainer Saffie Joseph were aiming at. The 5 1/2-length victory in a $100,000 maiden special for 2-year-olds that had been taken off the turf gave colt his first career win and earnings of $55,000. Far more important for Ramsey and Joseph, the win in the one-mile race against three foes is a stepping stone to the $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sept. 8 at Kentucky Downs. Heavy rain overnight in upstate New York decimated the Whitney Day program. Turf racing was moved to the main track, leading to an avalanche of scratches, and two graded turf stakes (the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational and the GII Troy) were cancelled and re-scheduled for next Saturday, Aug. 10. Race 1, carded for 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf course was moved to the dirt, forcing Ramsey and Joseph to make what they said was an easy decision. “When Saffie and I talked this morning, it was a no-brainer,” Ramsey said. “We both agreed that if we could win the race, great, then we'll put him in the stakes race at Kentucky Downs. If we don't win, we'll put him in the maiden race at Kentucky Downs. The next goal for him is to win the big stakes race at Kentucky Downs. The purses are insane down there.” Reach for the Rose stalked the early pace set by Dew (Frosted) of :23.92 and :47.20 before taking over the stretch and winning as he pleased under Jose Ortiz. They hit the wire well ahead of Insubordination in 1:39.80 and paid $3.70. Assertiveness (Into Mischief) brushed the gate, was never really a factor in the going over the sloppy sealed track and was eased by jockey Flavien Prat. “I thought that the horse showed enough on the dirt to stay on the dirt,” Joseph said. “In these scenarios, you never know. They have to do it. You can show it in a morning, then come off the bridle and it's different. We're thankful to get the win.” Ramsey and his late wife Sarah bred the colt and he said Reach for the Rose is even more special to him now. He was prepared for his debut May 11 in the five-furlong Royal Palm Juvenile–an automatic qualifier for the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot–but ended up second by 1 1/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park. He was closing well but could not reel in Gabaldon. Then there was a plot twist when Royal Ascot officials reached out to Ramsey. “Since the race at Royal Ascot was farther than the one down there,” Ramsey said, “they told me if I bring the horse over, they would pay half of everything for ours and pay everything for the other horse because the other horse won it and we ran second.” Ramsey said he did not spend much time considering the offer. “I thought that was a hell of a deal to get a half-paid expense trip to Royal Ascot since that's on my bucket list to try to win a stakes race over there,” he said. “I told them, 'absolutely, mark it down, make the arrangements' and we would be there. We started training on the horse to get him all honed up for Royal Ascot and honed him a little too much, I guess, because he bucked his shins. That was the end of the trip to Royal Ascot, so I called them to tell them, 'sorry, but the horse has bucked his shins and we're going to have to back off of him for a few weeks.” Gabaldon finished second in the Windsor Castle, further flattering Reach for the Rose. Joseph said that even though the Royal Palm's conditions didn't suit Reach for the Roses, he performed well. “We knew we were asking him for a tall task, running five eighths, but he's doing it on talent” Joseph said. “He broke on top, dropped back, then ran on really well that day. It took them a while to post the Beyers, but for a 2-year-old on the turf, a 78 that's up there among the best turf Beyers for 2-year-olds.” Ramsey, 88, underwent a kidney transplant on June 20 and is spending the summer recuperating at his home in Saratoga Springs that overlooks the Oklahoma training track. He watched Reach for the Rose prevail and said he is looking forward to the start next month. “This should set this horse up nicely for that. It will be the third time in his form cycle, which I believe is a horse's best race,” Ramsey said. “The timing is perfect for the race. We're all set.” Reach for the Rose (4-5) wins Saratoga Saturday opener (originally scheduled for turf) for ⁦@SaffieJosephJr⁩ and ⁦@jose93_ortiz⁩. 4-3-2-8 pic.twitter.com/HrWAXqDR3a — Tim Wilkin (@tjwilkin) August 3, 2024 1st-Saratoga, $93,000, Msw, 8-3, 2yo, 1m (off turf), 1:39.80, sy, 5 1/2 lengths. REACH FOR THE ROSE (c, 2, Audible–Divine Mission, by Twirling Candy), runner up to next-out Windsor Castle Stakes second Gabaldon (Gone Astray) in the five-furlong Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes at Gulfstream on debut May 11, came back favored Saturday at 4-5 odds in this rained-off one-mile contest. A comfortable second while keeping pressure on Dew (Frosted) in this scratched-down field, he came outside that rival off the far turn and took full command late, building up a safe margin despite racing greenly to the line to win by 5 1/2 lengths. Assertiveness (Into Mischief), the only insighted runner to remain in the race, came home eased to be fourth as the 7-5 second choice. Reach for the Rose is her dam's first and only reported foal though Divine Mission was bred to Mandaloun for 2025. Lifetime Record: SP, 2-1-1-0, $75,900. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Kenneth L. Ramsey; B-Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. The post Mission Accomplished For Ramsey’s Reach For The Rose appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Klaravich Stables' 'TDN Rising Star' WAYS AND MEANS (f, 3, Practical Joke–Strong Incentive, by Warrior's Reward) became the third North American Grade I winner for her sire and 10th worldwide with a comfortable victory as the 7-10 favorite in Saturday's GI Test Stakes at Saratoga. First to break the line for Flavien Prat, the homebred filly led through the opening exchanges, but was ultimately content to allow the rail-skimming Emery (More Than Ready) to come through and take up the running through fractions of :22.43 and :44.43 over the muddy main track. Held together into the final 2 1/2 furlongs, Ways and Means claimed Emery with consummate ease in upper stretch and kept on nicely to score by about 2 1/2 lengths in the finish. Emery was a clear second ahead of My Mane Squeeze (Audible) in third. Brightwork (Outwork), who defeated Ways and Means in last year's GI Spinaway Stakes over the same course and distance, was scratched from what would have been her first start as a 3-year-old. Ways and Means is the third graded winner from her dam, who is also responsible for Klaravich's Grade II winner Highly Motivated (Into Mischief) and Grade I victress Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}). Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0. O/B-Klaravich Stables Inc (KY); T-Chad Brown. WAYS AND MEANS, 3YO daughter of @coolmorestud stallion Practical Joke, wins the Grade 1 Test pres. by @Ticketmaster for Flavien Prat and Chad Brown! pic.twitter.com/Bf8KEE6WE5 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 3, 2024 Saturday, Saratoga TEST S. PRESENTED BY TICKETMASTER-GI, $485,000, Saratoga, 8-3, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:22.28, my. 1–WAYS AND MEANS, 118, f, 3, by Practical Joke 1st Dam: Strong Incentive (SW, $123,568), by Warrior's Reward 2nd Dam: G G's Dolly, by Comic Strip 3rd Dam: Parfait, by Kingmambo 'TDN Rising Star'. 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Klaravich Stables (KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, $569,500. *1/2 to Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}), GISW, $547,100 and Highly Motivated (Into Mischief), GSW, $667,375. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Emery, 120, f, 3, by More Than Ready 1st Dam: Athena (MSW, $459,222), by Street Sense 2nd Dam: Race Rocks (Ire), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) 3rd Dam: Artful Pleasure, by Nasty and Bold 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($235,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV). O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Mary K. Grum (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $100,000. 3–My Mane Squeeze, 122, f, 3, by Audible 1st Dam: In Spite of Mama, by Speightstown 2nd Dam: Mama Theresa, by Carson City 3rd Dam: Nothing Special, by Tejabo 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-William J. Butler and WinStar Farm LLC; B-William Butler (NY); T-Michael J. Maker. $60,000. Margins: 2HF, 2, HF. Odds: 0.70, 4.00, 4.60. Also Ran: Denim and Pearls, Belle's Blue Bell. Scratched: Brightwork. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Ways and Means Easily Passes The Test appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is offering special savings on select ticket packages for each remaining Sunday of the Saratoga summer meet–Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Sept. 1.–the track said in a Saturday release. Fans can choose from packages which include: the $25 Sunday Saver Pass, which is valid for general admission for each of the five remaining Sundays; the $99 Sunday Saver Family 4-Pack, which includes four grandstand reserved seats; and the $44 Surfside Sunday 4-Pack or the $84 Surfside Sunday 4-Pack–the Surfside is only available to fans 21 years of age and older. “Sundays are a great day to enjoy the track, especially for families,” said Kevin Quinn, NYRA Vice President of Sales and Hospitality. “We're happy to offer special discounts and value deals during the second half of the summer meet to encourage fans to experience and enjoy the excitement of Saratoga.” Click here for more information. The post NYRA To Offer Sunday Ticket Packages For Remainder Of The Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The money came late for FEROCIOUS (c, 2, Flatter–Napier, by Midnight Lute), who was available at 4-1 for a good deal of the betting, and when all was said and done, was the 3.45-1 favorite making his career debut Saturday afternoon at Saratoga. And the money proved smart, as the colt exploded through the final eighth of a mile to become a no-brainer 'TDN Rising Star'. Things did not go especially well at the break for the $1.3-million OBS March purchase, as he reared slightly, costing him a length or two, but he quickly made up for lost time, scooting through at the fence to be all the way up into third as the well-bet El Prestigio (Practical Joke) took the field through an opening quarter in :22.02. Ferocious continued to travel strongly on the turn, but El Prestigio was still going great guns, opening an imposing advantage nearing the stretch. But, put to a drive by Javier Castellano, whose history with this trainer includes the 2023 GI Kentucky Derby aboard Mage (Good Magic), Ferocious quickly went to the front-runner to his outside and showed a brilliant turn of foot in the final furlong to score by about eight lengths. El Prestigio held for second ahead of Praetor (Into Mischief) in third. The final time over a rain-affected strip was a slick 1:09.65. Sales history: $1,300,0000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. O-JR Ranch, Restrepo, Ramiro, High Step Racing and OGMA Investments, LLC; B-Gentry Stable LLC (KY); T-Gustavo Delgado. First-timer Ferocious (3-1), a $1.3 million Flatter colt, romps to a 7 3/4 length win in Saratoga 6th for ⁦@jjcjockey⁩, ⁦@GDS_Racing. 1-5-4-2 pic.twitter.com/lPiJTAUYyJ — Tim Wilkin (@tjwilkin) August 3, 2024 The post $1.3M OBSMAR Grad Ferocious Runs To His Name, Becomes a ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sixth but beaten just three lengths in the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes on debut at Gulfstream May 11, Governor Sam returned to the races at Saratoga to break his maiden going gate to wire over 5 1/2 furlongs July 19. Jumping into stakes company again at five furlongs Saturday, he became the first stakes winner for his freshman sire (by City Zip) with a narrow victory in the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth. Up close to the early speed of Johnny Come Lately (Hootenanny), the 1-5 favorite and the only runner in the field with any turf experience stayed prominent into the stretch, tipped outside of Jet Sweep Joe late and dueled that runner to the line to just narrowly prevail. “I did not really like the trip,” admitted winning rider Paco Lopez. “He was hanging out a little bit and I just let him go. It was a good thing it was just the [longshot Jet Sweep Joe] with no one else really close. We needed a good trip. I had to get out from behind a couple horses. I just needed to get out. We had a late push. He's a fighting horse and [Jet Sweep Joe] made us fight. Anything can happen in racing. Sometimes a horse just races unbelievable.” A half-sister to GSW Pin Up Betty (Constitution), Governor Sam was a $275,000 OBS April buy for his current connections. I'm Betty G, herself a stakes winner, has a yearling City of Light filly and is due to Constitution this year after losing her 2024 Jackie's Warrior foal. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. TYRO S., $100,000, Monmouth, 8-3, 2yo, 5fT, :56.15, fm. 1–GOVERNOR SAM, 118, c, 2, by Improbable 1st Dam: I'm Betty G (MSW & MGSP, $353,100), by Into Mischief 2nd Dam: Lady in Ermine, by Honour and Glory 3rd Dam: Lucky Lady Sarah, by Polish Numbers ($50,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $275,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR) 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Bregman Family Racing LLC and Swinbank Stables, LLC; B-Stoneriggs Farm (KY); T-George Weaver; J-Paco Lopez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $117,850. *1/2 to Pin Up Betty (Constitution), GSW, $349,365. 2–Jet Sweep Joe, 118, c, 2, Frosted–Sister Blues, by Pioneerof the Nile. O/B-Hall Stables LLC (KY); T-Paul McEntee. $20,000. 3–Kirin, 118, c, 2, Lord Nelson–Wealth Effect, by Curlin. ($7,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $95,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSMAR; $190,000 2yo '24 OBSOPN). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Moreplay LLC and Adela Munoz; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo. $10,000. Margins: NK, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 0.30, 30.70, 6.80. Also Ran: Crazy Frazy, Ghostly Rose, Johnny Come Lately. Scratched: Noble Force. The post Improbable Gets First Stakes Winner With Governor Sam In Tyro appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Heavy rains forced the rescheduling of the Aug. 3 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) and Troy Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course to Aug. 10.View the full article

Mick Appleby said he "never dreamed" of sending out four winners at Glorious Goodwood after beating Aidan O'Brien to be crowned leading trainer.View the full article

A 53-10 chance making his first trip to the races Saturday at Saratoga, WinStar Farm and Repole Stable's UNCAGED (c, 2, Curlin–Dark Nile, by Pioneerof the Nile) found his best stride in the final furlong and came away to post a comfortable success. Under a hustling ride from Irad Ortiz, Jr. from the opening bell, the $450,000 Keeneland September acquisition was kept busy and took up a forward position from fourth just in behind a trio of pacesetters. Pulled out into the center of the track to deliver his challenge in upper stretch, Uncaged descended on the leading group approaching the furlong grounds and did his best work through the line to score. Sea Vista (Street Sense) just outfinished the winner's stablemate Classicist (Curlin) to round out the exacta. Sales history: $450,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. O-WinStar Farm & Repole Stable; B-WinStar Farm LLC (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. UNCAGED, the 2YO son of @HillnDaleFarm stallion Curlin, breaks his maiden in the fifth race with @iradortiz up for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/sLbgpmgZVK — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 3, 2024 The post Curlin Colt Uncaged A Debut Winner At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10 p.m. ET. FIRST CLASS LADY (Uncle Mo) debuts for Chief Stipelas Scharbauer and Stonestreet. Made a $900,000 purchase at last year's Keeneland September Sale, the Steve Asmussen trainee is the second registered foal, but first to the races for Stonestreet homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' Lady Pauline (Munnings). This dam, who is herself out of Puerto Rican champion D' Wildcat Speed (Forest Wildcat), is a half-sister to G1 King's Stand Stakes heroine Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy)–the dam of SW American Rascal (Curlin)–both of whom were 'Rising Stars' in their own right. TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insights: Classy Daughter Of Uncle Mo Ready For Spa Unveiling appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Having beaten the best sprinters around in the G1 July Cup, Peter Harris's Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) returns to familiar territory as he bids for a prestigious double in Sunday's G1 ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest. Starting to bloosom into the top-flight performer he now is at Deauville last summer, Jane Chapple-Hyam's project thrived in this Normandy air to record a brace of black-type successes in the Listed Prix Moonlight Cloud and G3 Prix de Meautry prior to his coming-of-age campaign this term. There is a danger that his July Cup form could be criticised, with the 3-year-olds failing to make a serious impact, but the fact was that he was the fastest on the day at Newmarket and he has a rock-solid profile heading here. Unbeaten so far and another who has performed to a high standard over this straight course, Nurlan Bizakov's Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) drops in trip from the seven furlongs over which he dominated the G3 Prix Djebel here in April and the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac at ParisLongchamp in June. Second on the latter occasion was White Birch Farm's TDN Rising Star Havana Cigar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who went on to fill the same spot behind another of the Jean-Claude Rouget stable's TDN Rising Stars in Puchkine (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in last month's G1 Prix Jean Prat here. Set free by the change in tactics in that contest, Puchkine dominated from start to finish but he may struggle to do the same to a host of hardened sprinters. The third TDN Rising Star to fill the frame in the Jean Prat was Philippe Allaire and Haras d'Etreham's Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who may finally be granted the pace scenario he has been crying out for. Others to note are last year's winner King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}), who beat the re-opposing Exxtra (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot. Darnation Bids For Classic Double… Sunday also sees the G1 Henkel-Preis der Diana take place at Dusseldorf, where Newtown Anner Stud's homebred Darnation (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) bids to become the latest filly to complete the G2 German 1000 Guineas-German Oaks double in the 11-furlong Classic. Again partnered by Adrie de Vries, the Karl Burke trainee who has subsequently been second in Newcastle's G3 Hoppings Stakes is part of an overseas contingent which includes Australian Bloodstock's acquisition Bubble Gum (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}) who was sixth for the Fabrice Chappet stable in the G1 Prix de Diane. Germany's best chance of keeping the prize at home may come from Gestut Rottgen's G3 Diana-Trial winner Erle (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}) from a favourable draw against the rail, while Sarah Steinberg has two live prospects in Gestut Brummerhof's Diya (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}), a daughter of the 2019 Diana heroine Diamanta (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) who captured Mulheim's Listed Diana Trial last month, and Gestut Ebbesloh's New York City (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) who was beaten less than a length when fourth behind Erle at Hoppegarten in June before running third in the G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis over this trip last month. The post Mill Stream Bids For Summer Double in the Maurice de Gheest appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Darwin Cup favourite Bear Story. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer is eyeing his fourth Darwin Cup (2050m) on Monday with former Irish gelding Bear Story, but champion Top End trainer Gary Clarke stands in his way. Bear Story is the $2.30 favourite with online bookmakers following his slashing first up win at Fannie Bay in the weight-for-age Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) on July 13 when he not only won by 4.3 lengths, but also broke the track record (1.33.95). The Chief Minister’s Cup has always been a good guide when assessing the Darwin Cup with 10 horses achieving the double since 2000. Clarke’s Wolfburn, the Cup’s $3.80 second-elect, has impressed since returning from Phillip Stokes’ Morphettville stable for a third Cup Carnival with the former Darwin Guineas winner saluting four times from five starts. He won the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) before a last start win in the Metric Mile (1600m) – he was second in the Chief Minister’s. Wolfburn, a six-year-old gelding, and Bear Story, a seven-year-old gelding, carried 59kg when they first met, but Clarke’s horse has 56.5kg and Dyer’s horse has 61kg come Monday. That perhaps gives Clarke hope as Wolfburn boasts eight wins and four minor placings from 14 Fannie Bay starts – the son of Snitzel was second in the 2022 NT Derby (2050m) and third in last year’s Darwin Cup. However, Dyer has every right to be optimistic as Bear Story – the son of Kodiac – managed three wins (synthetic surface) and nine minor placings from 18 starts in Ireland. After winning the Group 3 Dubai Diamond Stakes (2149m) at Dundalk in 2022, Bear Story repeated the dose a year later – it was a Listed race in 2023 – in his final Irish start. In eight Victorian starts for Cranbourne trainer Clinton McDonald, Bear Story’s best result was a fourth over 1800m (BM100) at Sandown in May. He was 11th in the Blamey Stakes (1600m) and 14th in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March 2023 before coming 11th in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last September. Understandably, Dyer was extremely happy with Bear Story’s debut on Fannie Bay’s dirt surface – following a 900m trial – adding that it was clear he was looking for more ground. Dyer, who made his first trip to the Top End in 2008 and only missed the 2020 Carnival because of Covid, has celebrated Darwin Cup success with Hawks Bay (2011 and 2012) and Royal Request. Clarke, the winning Darwin Cup jockey in 2000 aboard Steve Paynter’s Star Bullet, has won the race as a trainer with Lightinthenite, Zahspeed and Playoffs. After winning the Top End and Country’s trainers’ premiership for a 12th straight year, Clarke will also start Playoffs and NT Derby winner Masatora on Monday. Bear Story and Wolfburn have good gates and will be partnered by Group 1 winning jockey Noel Callow and the Top End and Country’s five-time premiership winner jockey Jarrod Todd. 2024 Darwin Cup Tips David White (horsebetting.com.au) 1 BEAR STORY 3 WOLFBURN 10 HETTINGER 11 HADOUKEN Greg Aldam (Thoroughbred Racing NT) 1 BEAR STORY 3 WOLFBURN 4 PLAYOFFS 11 HADOUKEN Andrew O’Toole (Sky Racing) 1 BEAR STORY 3 WOLFBURN 11 HADOUKEN 4 PLAYOFFS Horse racing news View the full article

Heavy rains forced the rescheduling of the Aug. 3 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) and the Troy Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course to Aug. 10.View the full article

Juddmonte Farms' progressive Dragoon Guard (Arrogate), a neck away from being unbeaten in his young career, carries a three-race winning streak and should jump a slight favorite in Sunday's $500,000 GIII West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park. The homebred son of the talented turf mare Filimbi (Mizzen Mast) was beaten a neck by future stakes winner Otto the Conqueror (Street Sense) on his seven-furlong debut at Churchill last September, but is perfect since, including an all-the-way victory over GI Santa Anita Derby hero Stronghold (Ghostzapper) in the GIII Indiana Derby July 6. Henro (Collected) was runner-up to the aforementioned Otto the Conqueror in a June 5 sprint allowance in Louisville, but made the most of his first two-turn assignment last time with a head defeat of Just a Touch (Justify) in the July 6 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows. A repeat of the 96 Beyer Speed Figure earned on that occasion makes him a very tough customer right back. Two other graded winners are among Sunday's field of eight. Society Man (Good Magic) is the lesser-known stablemate of MGISW Dornoch (Good Magic) who earned his own berth in the GI Kentucky Derby with a runner-up effort–at 106-1–in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes in April. Down the field at Churchill, he rebounded with a 6-1 upset of the GIII Matt Winn Stakes June 9. 'TDN Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road) earned his graded success on the turf in last year's GII Pilgrim Stakes, but was also runner-up in this year's GIII Sam F. Davis Stakes on the dirt. He exits an even fifth in the grassy American Derby June 29. No Longshot Price This Time For The Queens M G Having returned a fat $91 to her backers when skipping home a 2 3/4-length winner of the opening-day Schuylerville Stakes July 11, The Queens M G (Thousand Words) will start at a fraction of that price when she leaves from the outside gate in a field of nine juvenile fillies in Sunday's GIII Adirondack Stakes at the Spa. Having lit the Keeneland tote to the tune of 45-1 on debut Apr. 7, the dark bay filly was the 21-10 choice for the June 6 Astoria Stakes at this venue, but she backed out of it abruptly to finish a distant last of seven. Then she blew up the board in the Schuylerville. “Going into that race, I didn't know what to expect,” said trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. “I was just hoping to run a decent race and have something to build on, but she exceeded expectations. That was a big improvement. The race before was disappointing because she had trained decent into the race, and we thought she was a good filly.” The Queens M G should get the right race flow, as the field includes several fillies exiting wire-to-wire victories in maiden company. White Sands (Into Mischief) galloped at Belterra to break her maiden at first asking May 25 and, pitched in against the boys in the Prairie Gold Juvenile July 6, took them all the way to score by 13 3/4 lengths. Whatintheliteral (Lord Nelson) belied 13-1 odds in the Astoria after setting a pressured pace throughout, but tossed Javier Castellano at the start of the Schuylerville. Dare to Breeze (Daredevil) earned a good figure when taking out a local auction maiden by better than six lengths July 13, while Italian Soiree (Uncle Mo), a $600,000 OBS March breezer, exits a 5 1/4-length graduation from just off the pace downstate July 4 and will hope the speed comes back to the field as well. Sunday's other graded action features the GIII Pucker Up Stakes at Ellis Park, where GIII Regret Stakes winner Pin Up Betty (Constitution) looks to bounce back from a fourth in the GI Belmont Oaks against the likes of Mo Fox Givin (Mo Town), while in the GIII West Virginia Governor's Cup, Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) squares off with 'TDN Rising Star' Extra Anejo (Into Mischief). The post Dragoon Guard Looks For Four Straight In West Virginia Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As September arrives every year, we get excited about our homebred yearlings and future purchases that might come along, all for hopefully finding the Derby winner. But October is also something to look forward to with the Retired Racehorse Project, which we have been involved in since 2017. This year is a unique one; our former veterinarian Dr. Brittland Hughes has our homebred Town Of Gold in the Hunter-Jumper and Competitive Trail divisions; Am Prepared, a homebred out of the GI mare Tannery; and In the Loop, a $150,000 Keeneland purchase who won first time out for Colts Neck Stables. As I joined Mr Santulli's operation back in 2014 from my return from Saudi Arabia, I learned the importance of proper re-homing for all of our horses once retired, from monitoring horses we lost in claiming races and talking to connections when their forms are tailing off, inquiring for future re-homing plans, to being a big supporter of Second Call in New Jersey. In all my years at Colts Neck, I think RRP is one of my favorite events to watch, with my former horses growing and developing in new disciplines off the track. This year I am excited to be attending for the first time–both participating in two days of volunteering and obviously cheering on my three old trainees. Horse racing is in a crucial transition with HISA where we are seeing lots of positive stats but the general public should also understand that the reason we get up every day, 365 days a year, is for the love of the horse. Being able to watch these horses compete, whether it's on the track, in the field, or in the ring, is a treat every horse lover should appreciate. –Jorge Duarte Jr, private trainer, Colts Neck Stables Every year, there is excitement about the new two-year olds starting training in a racing yard. Who will be the next big stakes horse, Derby contender, Breeders' Cup candidate? But when I saw Town of Gold, aka Townley, I thought, gosh, he could be a really great show horse. With a flashy heart on his head, compact but correct conformation, and a curious but smart mentality, I thought this horse has potential to be an athlete–whether on the track or in the show ring. I loved his name, Town of Gold, which his Colombian trainer Jorge Duarte named after the Colombian mythical gold city 'El Dorado.' I quickly gave him the nickname Townley after my dad's middle name. As a two-year-old, he showed promise as a turf sprinter. Bred out of Speightstown, a multiple graded stakes dirt sire and Spunderful, a Medaglio D'oro turf sprint mare, Town of Gold was a well-bred homebred of Colts Neck Stables. He broke his maiden as a two-year old at Laurel Park where he put his nose down and refused to let another horse pass him. He then ran big at Aqueduct, placing in a black type stakes his first time in New York. He traveled to Florida for a winter at Palm Meadows Training Center where I was able to gallop him, enjoying the sunrise view between his pricked ears. He had a confident, safe disposition and a desire to please. After riding him, I knew he'd love the challenge of jumping someday. As I continued to watch his racetrack career progress, he unfortunately developed an intolerance to heat. Heat stroke can be a combination of environment and genetics and his mother had had similar issues with the heat. He did well in the cooler weather, however, turf season is primarily in the heat of the summer. As he got older, he still appeared game, but there was reservation in his drive to win. Many horses learn from experience and his experience with heat stroke had made him conservative compared to his rivals. In July of 2023, he ran his last race at Monmouth. I was crossing my fingers that he did not get claimed. Luck was on my side that day. Following his race, it was decided that he would be retired and I could finally start my project with this 6-year old I had loved since the age of 2. When he came off the trailer to meet me at the farm, he still thought he was a racehorse. He was high-strung, hungry, and almost impossible to catch in the field. I was excited but also worried. I had never had a thoroughbred straight off the track. Initially, I doubted myself–what had I got myself into?! But as I put in the time and patience, we started making baby steps. He would spit out an apple but he loved carrots. He could trot over ground poles, at first hitting one or two then gliding through them like a pro. He learned to pick up both leads at the canter, not just the left like most racehorses prefer. In the barn, he started to recognize me and welcome me with his characteristic nicker. Even after a long day at work, I was still excited to see my boy, my Townley. The day finally came when I decided we were ready to pop over a cross rail. I let him sniff it, and he didn't seem bothered. I gave him a nudge and we picked up a trot to the tiny cross rail. As we got to the base, he picked up his legs, tucked his knees and jumped the neatest little jump. He landed with a look like, “hey, that was kinda different but fun!” After the introduction to jumping, I knew that not only could he do it but even more so that he enjoyed doing it, which made me want to jump the moon. From that day forward, I made a goal–to compete in the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover. When I was in undergraduate studies at The University of Kentucky, I had volunteered when the RRP had first started. There were only about 50 horses competing and no one really knew about the concept of competing in second careers for retired racehorses. The Thoroughbred makeover now has over 400 entries yearly and has incentivized interest in OTTB competitions throughout the country. It has made people realize that just because a horse has retired off the track as a five-, six-, or seven-year old doesn't mean the horse's athletic abilities stop there. So as I prepare for my dream to compete in the Thoroughbred makeover project this October, I have learned so much about the heart of a Thoroughbred and the relationship you can shape with a racehorse to achieve dreams you never thought possible. I hope my story inspires others to adopt racehorses and promote the Thoroughbred for the great breed they are both on and off the track. –Dr. Brittland Hughes, former veterinarian, Colts Neck Stables, current owner/rider of Townley The post Letter to the Editor: The Importance of the Retired Racehorse Project appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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