Wandering Eyes

French jockey committed to extending career in the city as he eyes Class Two triumph on Gummy GummyView the full article

What Swan Hill Cup Day 2024 Where Swan Hill Jockey Club – 17 Gray St, Swan Hill VIC 3585 When Sunday, June 9, 2024 First Race 11:40am AEST Visit Dabble The Swan Hill Cup will headline the final day of the June Carnival, with a massive nine-race card set down for decision this Sunday afternoon. Although the Swan Hill track is rated as a Soft 5 on Friday, there is no rain forecast for the weekend, so it is expected that the meeting will take place on a Good surface. The rail will remain in its true position, with the opening race on Swan Hill Cup Day scheduled to jump at 11:40am AEST. Here are our free Swan Hill tips for June 9. Swan Hill Cup tip: Munhamek As mentioned in The Follow Files earlier this week, Munhamek was very unlucky, recording a fifth-place finish at Caulfield last Saturday as the Nick Ryan-trained gelding was held up for most of the home straight. Given that this son of Dark Angel is on a seven-day backup, staying at 1600m, and finds a slightly weaker race, he looks to have found the right race to finally break his run of outs. From barrier five, Jamie Mott can settle midfield off the fence, and if he gets clear air with 300m to go, Munhamek will prove very hard to hold out. Swan Hill Cup Race 8 – #1 Munhamek (5) 8yo Gelding | T: Nick Ryan | J: Jamie Mott (61kg) +320 with Picklebet Best Bet at Swan Hill: Dashing Duchess Dashing Duchess was very good when the Symon Wilde-trained mare competed at Listed level in the Andrew Ramsden at Flemington last start. The four-year-old mare settled outside the leader, and battled on strongly to finish seventh over 2800m. Out of Tavistock, Dashing Duchess will appreciate a drop in grade and distance as she reaches peak fitness third-up for this preparation. Dean Yendall should be able to lead, and if Dashing Duchess can get a cheap sectional mid-race, she will give her rivals something to chase late. Best Bet Race 6 – #9 Dashing Duchess (4) 4yo Mare | T: Symon Wilde | J: Dean Yendall (54.5kg) +210 with Neds Next Best at Swan Hill: Jewel Bay Following back-to-back runner-up finishes in metropolitan grade, Jewel Bay from the Ben, Will & JD Hayes stable will drop back to country level third-up, where he looks to be very well placed. The son of Cable Bay looked to have the race within his keeping last start at Sandown before he was out bobbed on the line by Kiko and lost by a narrow margin. If Jye McNeil can settle outside the leader or in the one-one position from barrier 10, Jewel Bay’s class should shine through and earn himself a deserving win. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Jewel Bay (10) 3yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Jye McNeil (60kg) +170 with Playup Swan Hill Cup Day quaddie tips – 9/6/2024 Swan Hill quadrella selections Sunday, June 9, 2024 2-4 1-3-9 3-7-8-11 1-3-5-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, June 8, 2024 First Race 1:54pm ACST Visit Dabble A total of 57 horses have accepted for Saturday’s six-event program at Fannie Bay, with the feature being a Benchmark 76 over 1100m for the speedy types who are eyeing the Palmerston Sprint during the Darwin Cup Carnival. With the dry season in full swing, and sunny conditions are forecasted for Saturday with a top temperature of 29C. The rail will be in the true position and it will once again be a good dirt surface. BEST BET: SHECANMIXIT Shecanmixit — the highest-rated horse in the race and the early $1.90 favourite with online bookmakers — returns after a four-month spell. The daughter of Danerich made a huge impact on her NT debut in December, setting a new track record of 56.02 while obliterating her rivals by 9.8 lengths in a 1000m maiden. After a disappointing ninth over 1000m (0-58) before the end of 2023, she bounced back to form with a second over 1000m (BM54) in January and victory over 1200m (BM54) in February. Best Bet Race 6 – #4 Shecanmixit (6) 5yo Mare | T: Chloe Baxter | J: Jade Hampson (a1.5) (59.5kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: BEYOND READY Beyond Ready arrives in Darwin after impressing against his own age group in Alice Springs from February to April. With one win from five starts for Cranbourne trainers Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock, the son of More Than Ready won first-up at Pioneer Park after pipping Don’t Be Dramatic over 1200m (BM56). He then finished third over 1400m (BM68) and was a narrow second behind Better Not Fuss in the NT Guineas (1600m) before winning by six lengths over 1200m (BM68). Next Best Race 4 – #1 Beyond Ready (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Kevin Lamprecht | J: Aaron Sweeney (60.5kg) Bet with PlayUp BEST VALUE: SWEET AS SCANDI In 17 appearances in Alice Springs since 2022, Sweet As Scandi has won five races from 1200-1400m and has also placed on six occasions. The mare debuted at Fannie Bay a year ago, and her best result in five starts for the campaign was a second over 1300m (0-58). Sticking at that trip and grade, she returned to Darwin on May 11 and finished second despite missing the start. In what appears to be a very open race, the six-year-old was an early $8 quote with the top betting sites. Best Value Race 1 – #3 Sweet As Scandi (5) 6yo Mare | T: Kevin Lamprecht | J: Ianish Luximon Bet with Neds Saturday Darwin quaddie tips – 8/6/2024 Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, June 8, 2024 1-3-4-9-11 1-2-3-4 1-2-4-5 3-4-7-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

Race 6 POSITIVE SIGNS + PRINT 2200m COSY NOOK (L Hemi) – Trainer Mr. G Eade reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of gelding, however, COSY NOOK will have a week off and it is his intention to carry on with the gelding’s preparation. Race 10 RAY KEAN PROPERTY BROKERS 1600m THE RED KRACKEN (K Kwo) – Trainer Ms. S McKay reported to Stewards, THE RED KRACKEN has been retired from racing. The post Otago Racing Club @ Wingatui, Sunday 2 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 7 HENRY’S PLUMBING LTD & DESIGN BUILDERS 1200m CALEDONIE (T Mitchell) – Trainer Mr. R Manning reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of CALEDONIE, and it is his intention to carry on with the mare’s current preparation. The post Feilding Jockey Club @ Awapuni Synthetic, Thursday 30 May 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

There was an added bonus for The Grey Wizard's victory in the June 6 Belmont Gold Cup Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course that may or may not go uncollected.View the full article

Darwin trainer Chris Nash, who is assembling a small team for the 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival, will start promising sprinter Mr Have A Chat against high-class opposition at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Trainer Chris Nash will devise a Darwin Cup Carnival program for Mr Have A Chat after he meets quality opposition at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Should the six-year-old gelding push Rising Sphere, Cielo D’Oro and Star Magnum over 1100m (BM76) he will be groomed for the big races come July and August. After five wins from 34 starts in Victoria and SA, which included a win at Morphettville, the son of I’m All The Talk debuted in the Top End in February for a second over 1100m (0-76) before another second over 1100m (0-64) in March. A sixth over 1200m (0-70) on St Patrick’s Cup Day was followed by victory over 1000m (0-64) on April 19 when he lumped 60kg to overcome 1100m track record holder Patriotic King, who carried 58kg. Mr Have A Chat, favourite with online bookies in every Darwin start, drops 5kg with leading jockey Sonja Logan retaining the ride for the clash against potential Palmerston Sprint (1200m) aspirants. “He’s probably better placed in 0-64 grade, but he won so well last start and can have a try against these tougher horses this week. “Fresh suits him and he’s drawn well, so there’s no reason he won’t run a good race. “He’s consistent, he’s fit, he’s fast, and he likes to jump and run — he’s a tough little sound horse. “It’s a good test and if he can hold his own maybe he’ll be able to run in the better races over carnival. “If he finds it a length or two too tough at least we’ll know that the 0-64 grade and the lower class races is where he sits. “Sonja was keen to ride him again, she did everything right last start. “Looking at it, maybe Rising Sphere is the one to beat – he’s drawn one and he’s pretty quick as well.” Nash attempted to secure Mr Have A Chat some 18 months ago, but Goolwa trainer David Jolly, who cared for the horse for owners Grand Syndicates, said the gelding wasn’t for sale. “Once he reached his mark in Adelaide, David recommended to the owners to send him up,” Nash added. “That was the first win for Grand Syndicates here in Darwin, hopefully they may end up running a few more horses up here.” Nash won the 2021 Palmerston Sprint with Mayameen and claimed second place last year with Ideas Man, who returned to work in Adelaide a few months ago and arrives back in the Top End on Friday. Son Of Bielski, who won five straight at Fannie Bay before a foot abscess ruled him out of April’s Alice Springs Cup (2000m), trials on Tuesday in preparation for the Darwin Cup. Horse racing news View the full article

Local trainer Allan Sharrock and apprentice jockey Triston Moodley proved to be an unstoppable force at New Plymouth on Thursday, with the pair combining to win the first five races at the Taranaki meeting. They opened the card in impressive style, with Moodley guiding race favourite Dresse’ Par Joli to a 3-1/2 length victory in The Underbelly Tito Transport LTD Maiden. He quickly followed that up with victories aboard Indian Gold, Lazio, Librarsi and Smartroad in their respective races, and he was duly rapt with his winning haul. “I didn’t expect to get five winners in one day, so I am very happy with that,” Moodley said. “There was a lot of pressure going into the meeting. It is not every day that you sit on five horses that are fancied in the betting. I went into it positive and was hoping for a good day. “It is a day I will never forget.” Moodley was particularly appreciative towards Sharrock for entrusting him on his quintet. “To get rides from Allan Sharrock it makes life so much easier, and it makes days like that possible,” Moodley said. “I am very grateful to him for all the opportunities, he has helped me through my racing career.” Moodley is one of a growing number of expat South African jockeys that now call New Zealand home, and he said the racing bug has been alive and well in his life for many years. “My family has always been involved in racing,” he said. “My parents and uncles always had shares in horses. My brother is a jockey in South Africa and is in the top 10 over there. It has always been in the blood and I decided to carry it on.” Moodley began to follow in his brother’s footsteps when an opportunity arose to move to New Zealand and join the New Zealand Equine Academy two years ago, and he jumped at the opportunity. “Daniel Nakhle opened up his academy and he got in contact with me. I took the opportunity with both hands and decided to come out,” he said. “They helped me to hit the ground running and it was good exposure, and Daniel helped put me on the map. “I am now with Danny Walker and Arron Tata, and I have been with them for eight months. I had a lot of weight issues at the beginning and when I got to Danny and Arron’s, they put me on the right path.” Moodley now sits on 29 wins for the season, placing him third on the national apprentice jockeys’ premiership. “It has been a splendid season for me, and I thank everyone for all the opportunities they have given me and I am looking forward to continue growing,” he said. “I would like to finish in the top five in the apprentice premiership this season and next season I would like to win it.” Moodley is hoping to quickly add to his tally when he heads to Ruakaka on Saturday where he will have five rides, including aboard Sayan in the Marsden Cove Digital (1600m) for his employers. “The boss’s horse has been unlucky lately so hopefully he has a bit of luck in running. He has got a wide draw, but he is working well at home and hopefully he goes well,” he said. Moodley is enjoying his time in New Zealand and is hoping to make the move permanent. “At the moment, I am looking at a permanent shift,” he said. “I have adapted really well to New Zealand, the people are great, I am making a lot of friends, and it is a place I would like to be forever.” View the full article

Moonlight Magic beat all but one of the boys in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm last weekend, and trainer Andrew Forsman is hoping she can go one better against her own sex when she returns to the Brisbane venue on Saturday. The daughter of Almanzor will back-up in the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) for which she currently sits as a $14 winning chance with TAB bookmakers. Forsman was rapt with her performance in the Derby and is looking forward to seeing her line-up this weekend, where she will jump from barrier six with expat Kiwi jockey Michael Dee aboard. “It is always great to have a runner in a Group One, particularly one that is in good form,” Forsman said. “It was a great run (in the Derby). The winner (Warmonger) was obviously in a race of his own, but she was brilliant and had the rest of them well covered. “She has come through it great. She was a tired horse the day after, but she has picked up pretty well. “I think that (barrier six) helps. She hasn’t had all favours with barrier draws this preparation, so that will just help her get that little bit closer, ideally midfield or just beyond, and if that is the case she should get every chance.” Moonlight Magic has been a standout for owner-breeder The Sunlight Trust this season, winning the Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m) and placing in the Queensland Derby and Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m), and Forsman would love to add an elite-level victory to her haul. “Any more black-type we can gain this prep is a big advantage, she is already a stakes winner and Group One placed, so a Group One win would be amazing,” he said. “This will be her last run this preparation and we will have to decide after this what we do with her in the spring.” Forsman’s Queensland contingent has been bolstered by Devastate, who will line-up on the Eagle Farm undercard in the Listed Spear Chief Handicap (1400m). “He has travelled over well,” Forsman said. “We are testing the waters a little bit with him to see whether he is up to that level in Australia and whether he is going to be a progressive horse over there, or better placed back here.” It will be a rare quiet weekend for Forsman, with no runners lining up back home in New Zealand, while he will just have one runner out of his Flemington base on Saturday when Full Of Sincerity tackles the Sally Francis Plate (2520m) “It is a nice quiet weekend at home,” he said. “The racing team is starting to quieten down a little bit. It will be nice to just focus on a few runners in Australia.” View the full article

Garry Edge never won a jockeys’ premiership, but he will be remembered as one of the very best during an era of great New Zealand jockeys. Edge, who passed away last week in his hometown of Cambridge aged 84, rode 740 New Zealand winners during a career that began in the 1954-55 season. He was associated with many of the country’s most notable gallopers through the 1960s and ’70s and will forever be aligned with the mighty front-runner Jan’s Beau. On top of his New Zealand list, Edge’s wins across the Tasman included the Australian Cup on that horse as well as the South Australian St Leger on Vice Regal. Apprenticed to highly respected trainer Wallace Townsend, his first win came on the talented stable member Sweet Wren. That name remained integral to Edge’s life well after his retirement from the saddle in 1995, through his Cambridge agistment property, Sweet Wren Lodge. The closest Edge came to winning a premiership was fourth placings with 41 and 53 wins respectively in the 1962-63 and 1965-66 seasons, both times behind the dominant pairing of Bob and Bill Skelton and that master tactician Grenville Hughes. Edge was also renowned for his tactical expertise, particularly with horses racing on the pace. In that context, one of my first memories when I entered the racing industry in the early 1970s were the words of my employer, Frank Wilson. “You watch this bloke, he’s a bloody genius on a front-runner,” he said in his assertive manner. “Of all the jockeys riding, Edge has the best clock in his head.” I took note and soon came to realise what the boss meant. On numerous occasions “that clock” meant the difference between winning or losing, and no better example was the 1973 Avondale Gold Cup. Back then the Avondale Cup, contested in November, was considered the country’s most consistently competitive middle-distance handicap race, and the 1973 edition was no exception, attracting a limit field of 20. Jan’s Beau was the topweight with 57 kilograms off a 49-kilo minimum, well-earned with a record of winning open races from 1200 to 2200m as a three-year-old, and as an older horse adding numerous others, including the Australian Cup, Coongy Handicap and Feehan Stakes in Melbourne. Edge knew what he had to do in that Avondale Cup – control the race from the front and give nothing else a look in. The key to that was maintaining a strong tempo to ensure no other jockey was prepared to take him on, and the plan worked perfectly. At the 600m mark he still had control and when Jan’s Beau railed for the run to the line, none of his rivals looked like overhauling him. The closest any got was Kiwi Can, but he was still two and a half lengths away, and the time of 2:12.8 – a New Zealand record for 2200m – told its own story. I still remember the words of the man with the clock in his head when I caught up with him afterwards in the jockeys’ room. “Everything had gone to plan and when I got to the 600, I said to myself ‘If they leave me alone for another hundred, I’ve got them’. There’s nothing so good as getting it spot-on.” That was one of 20 wins Edge conjured on the pride of Northland, while his overall list of big wins included an almost disproportionate number of features at northern headquarters: three editions of each of Ellerslie’s ‘Great Northern’ three-year-old features, the Guineas, Derby, Oaks and St Leger, as well as the Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes, Clifford Plate and King’s Plate three times, the Railway and Easter Handicap twice. He also rode one Auckland Cup winner, Senor in 1964, owned and trained by Matangi farmer Ivan Robinson, who also provided two of the best he rode later that decade, Piko and Bardall. After retiring from the saddle, Edge remained a regular racegoer, which included being involved in the ownership of horses such as the Chris Wood-trained Wooden Edge (no prizes for guessing the origins of the name) and current performer Waihi Warrior, who finished third at Cambridge the day after his part-owner’s death. The greeting when you crossed paths with him was invariably “How’re you goin’ old son?” complete with that beaming smile, and he enjoyed nothing more than reminiscing on what he and others from his era referred to as the ‘good old days’. Chatting with him one day at the races, I mentioned his Ellerslie feature race tally and his response was as modest as ever. “Those races were always the ones you wanted to win, and I suppose I was just lucky with all the good horses I got on. You didn’t always win, but it was great to be going into a big race knowing you were a chance.” Amongst those with first-hand recall of Garry Edge the jockey is fellow Cambridge identity Ron Taylor, just a few months his junior and likewise the rider of 700-odd winners. His list included the 1964 Melbourne Cup on Polo Prince, who 10 months earlier had finished second to Senor in the Auckland Cup. “We never kept count of how many times we beat each other, but Edgey was always good to ride against,” Taylor recalled. “He was one of the best, you knew he’d be in the right place in the running and looking out for him he was easy to spot with that head of his nodding away. “We were good mates over the years and enjoyed playing tricks on each other. The one I remember most involved his pride and joy, this beautiful Chrysler Valiant he owned for years. I put an advert in the cars for sale classifieds in the Waikato Times and the phone calls drove him crazy! He never let me forget that. “He was a very organised sort of person. His agistment farm was a showpiece, the way he ran it and kept everything so spotless. I used to tell him with all those white rails he must own a paint shop. “We would phone each other every week or 10 days and it was always good to catch up with him. There’s not many of us left now; he was one of the good guys and I’m going to miss him.” *A gathering to remember Garry Edge is scheduled for 1pm on Sunday June 16 at the Cambridge Raceway. View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is thrilled to announce a raft of new initiatives aimed at further enhancing the country’s first-ever Thoroughbred slot race, The NZB Kiwi, set to be run on 8 March 2025 at Ellerslie Racecourse. $175k NZB Kiwi Bonus Challenge In a move to further reward foundation Slot Holders for their support, NZTR will offer a brand new $175k NZB Kiwi Bonus Challenge for three-year-olds participating in the 2025 edition of the NZB Kiwi. Once a Slot Holder has nominated their runner for the 2025 NZB Kiwi, that horse will be able to accumulate points by placing in the top three in any race it enters leading up to Champions Day next year. The three horses who start The NZB Kiwi with the highest points accumulated before the race will earn a share of the $175k NZB Kiwi Bonus Challenge, with $100k awarded to the winner, $50k to second place and $25k for the third placegetter. NZTR Chairman Cameron George is excited to announce yet another incentive, boosting The NZB Kiwi in its inaugural year. “We are delighted to be able to offer another Bonus aimed at rewarding our foundation Slot Holders for their strong support of this new race in year one.” “This new Bonus will enhance the promotional activity of both the Slot Holders and their horses, building anticipation from the moment the runners are nominated for The NZB Kiwi, right up until they enter the starting gates on Champions Day. “Once a horse is nominated, we anticipate heated competition between our Slot Holders as they battle it out to score the highest number of points and a hefty prize,” George said. Points for the $175k NZB Kiwi Bonus Challenge can be earned in both New Zealand and Australia where a NZB Kiwi runner places in the top three of any race it enters and will be allocated as follows: NZB Kiwi Bonus Eligible Race Points 1st Place – 11 points 2nd Place – 7 points 3rd Place – 5 points Black-Type and Special Condition Race Points 1st Place – 8 points 2nd Place – 4 points 3rd Place – 2 points Non-Black Type Race Points 1st Place – 4 points 2nd Place – 2 points 3rd Place – 1 point View the full $175k NZB Kiwi Bonus Challenge Terms and Conditions here. NZTR Public Slot Auction NZTR is excited to announce a second initiative as part of the NZB Kiwi programme, including the public auction of NZTR’s year-one Slot for The NZB Kiwi. This auction will take place at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds, held next November at the Karaka Sales Centre. The one-year Slot will be sold on behalf of NZTR, with 50% of the Above Reserve Fee ($125k) being donated to charity. Each current Slot Holder will nominate a charity aligned with a horse in the first New Zealand-based Bonus Eligible race next season, the Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa Racecourse in October. The mechanics include: NZTR will receive 14 charity nominations from each Slot Holder for the race. The 14 Slot Holders will be randomly allocated a horse in the field. If there are less than 14 runners e,g., 12 runners in the field, the first 12 Slot Holders drawn will be randomly allocated a horse. The charity attached to the winning horse of the Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) will be the beneficiary of NZTR’s Public Slot Auction proceeds in November. Cameron George commented on the public auction announcement. “Earlier this year, we saw plenty of fireworks in the Karaka sales ring at the inaugural NZB Kiwi Slot Auction.” “NZTR would like to offer another opportunity to those who missed out on a spot, giving them the chance to score a share of over $4.5 million in stakes and bonuses in year one we have implemented for next season’s race. “We know that spring three-year-olds will already be in full force, with potential buyers hopefully being able to identify their runner at the time of this auction. “We are also looking forward to donating a portion of our proceeds to a charity chosen by one of our current Slot Holders for the first year of the race,” George said. New Australian Bonus Eligible Races NZTR has announced the inclusion of two prestigious Australian races in the lineup of its iconic Bonus Eligible races. This expansion allows Australasia’s fastest juveniles to compete for their share of an additional $1 million in bonuses for The NZB Kiwi. The two newly included races will take place during Australia’s Spring Racing Carnival and feature the 2024 editions of: The A$1m Group 2 Callander-Presnell Stakes (1600m), held at the Australian Turf Club’s meeting at Royal Randwick on Saturday 26 October. The A$500k Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), held on Saturday 2 November, during the Victoria Racing Club’s Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse. To be eligible for a share in the $1 million bonus pool, a horse must win one of the various Bonus Eligible iconic New Zealand and/or Australian races and also run a top three placing in The NZB Kiwi held on Champions Day next year. The full lineup of Bonus Eligible Races is provided below: Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) – Manawatu Racing Club at RACE Trentham – Saturday 6 April 2024 (Already completed). Gr.2 Callander Presnell Stakes (1600m) – Australian Turf Club at Royal Randwick – Saturday 26 October 2024 Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) – Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse – Monday 28 October 2024 Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) – Victoria Racing Club at Flemington Racecourse – Saturday 2 November 2024 Gr.1 Barneswood Farm One Thousand Guineas (1600m) – Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park – Saturday 9 November 2024 Gr.1 Al Basti Dubai Equiworld New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) – Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park – Saturday 16 November 2024 Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1600m) – Wellington Racing Club at RACE Trentham – Saturday 11 January 2025 Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) – Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse – Saturday 25 January 2025 Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Alamanzor Trophy (1200m) – Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse – Saturday 25 January 2025 Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) – Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse – Saturday 8 February 2025 View more information about The NZB Kiwi Bonus Eligible races here. 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A new HISA rule that requires any horse shipped out of Louisiana to a HISA jurisdiction racetrack to be immediately placed on a veterinarian's list could lead to a shorter Fair Grounds Race Course winter meet and no Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races.View the full article

Out of the sire's first crop, Conquering Cat won a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds by half a length at Churchill Downs, covering 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.77 on a fast main track. View the full article

7th-Saratoga, $110,000, Alw, 6-6, (NW1$X), 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:35.90, ft, 8 1/4 lengths. WAYS AND MEANS (f, 3, Practical Joke–Strong Incentive {SW, $123,568}, by Warrior's Reward) was given an entry for Friday's GI Acorn S., but took in this race in its stead and duly stamped her authority on it as the 1-5 mortal. Drawn two from the outside going the Wilton Chute config and adding Lasix for the first time, last year's GI Spinaway S. runner-up was trapped out wide as they angled towards the backstretch and raced out of harm's way from fourth into the final half-mile. Crusing up towards the lead rounding the turn, she was asked to win her race a quarter-mile from home and widened on her overmatched rivals to score by a considerable distance. Having romped to the 'TDN Rising Star' tag on debut last summer, Ways and Means returned to action with a troubled second in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks Mar. 30 and was most recently fourth from a high draw in the GI Kentucky Oaks May 3. Strong Incentive, a $200,000 OBS April grad, won the 2015 Jammed Lovely S. for Klaravich and William H. Lawrence before Mike Ryan paid $40,000 for the mare, in foal to Practical Joke, to dissolve the partnership at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale. From there, the family took off, as Strong Incentive accounted for GSW Highly Motivated (Into Mischief), GSW, $667,375, and about a month before Strong Incentive's daughter Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}), GISW, $547,100, won the GI Matriarch S. last December, the mare was purchased by Jon Clay's Alpha Delta Stables for $2.15 million in foal to Good Magic at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. She produced a filly this year. Klaravich will be represented in the Acorn by Kentucky Oaks third Regulatory Risk (Omaha Beach).Lifetime Record: GISP, 5-2-2-0, $294,500. Click for theEquibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Klaravich Stables Inc (KY); T-Chad C Brown. WAYS AND MEANS, the 3YO daughter of @coolmoreamerica stallion Practical Joke, dominates the seventh race with Flavien Prat aboard for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/YymQMYMUv5 — Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 6, 2024 The post Having Given The Acorn A Miss, Ways and Means Romps in Spa Allowance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The GII Belmont Gold Cup on the turf Thursday marked the first of the weekend's graded races at the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga with The Grey Wizard (Ire) (g, 5, Caravaggio–Fancy {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), who finished second in the race last year to Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), surging late for a last-gasp win in the two-mile event. Champagne Juan (Justify) was nosed out in the last strides for second, while Limited Liability (Kitten's Joy) was also a part of the photo and settled for third. Siskany was prominent throughout, tracking longshot leaders So High (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) at 20-1 and Lucky Curlin (Curlin) at 63-1 until fading in the stretch. The Grey Wizard earned a spot in the G1 Melbourne Cup with the win. He began his 2024 campaign with an off-the-board effort in Keeneland's GII Elkhorn S. in April, but improved significantly for a third in the May 18 GIII Louisville S. at Churchill. Final time in the Gold Cup was 3:18.35. O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and The Estate of Albert Frassetto; B-Longfield Stud (Ire); T-Graham Motion. Thursday, Saratoga BELMONT GOLD CUP S.-GII, $250,000, Saratoga, 6-6, 4yo/up, 2mT, 3:18.35, fm. 1–THE GREY WIZARD (IRE), 118, g, 5, by Caravaggio 1st Dam: Fancy (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Danehill Music (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 3rd Dam: Tuesday Morning (Ire), by Sadler's Wells 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. (£78,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and The Estate of Albert Frassetto; B-Longfield Stud (IRE); T-H. Graham Motion; J-John R. Velazquez. $137,500. Lifetime Record: 15-4-4-1, $573,531. *Set new course record. **1/2 to Fancy Man (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), SW-Aus, MSW & MGSP-Eng, $260,973. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Champagne Juan, 118, c, 4, Justify–Well Monied, by Maria's Mon. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($300,000 Wlg '20 FTKNOV; $500,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-R.T Racing Stable; B-Newstead Corp (KY); T-Christophe Clement. $50,000. 3–Limited Liability, 118, g, 5, Kitten's Joy–Hold Harmless, by Blame. O/B-Stuart S. Janney, III LLC (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $30,000. Margins: HD, HD, 3 1/4. Odds: 6.20, 4.70, 11.60. Also Ran: Really Good, Six Minus, Pioneering Spirit, Siskany (GB), Cibolian, Lucky Curlin, So High (GB). Scratched: Costa Terra, Dai Vernon, Sports Editor, Starting Over. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post The Grey Wizard Punches Ticket to Melbourne in Belmont Gold Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. has been excused from his mounts for the second half of the June 6 card after he was unseated by Ariana Rye ahead of the fifth race.View the full article

A new HISA rule that requires any horse shipped out of Louisiana to a HISA jurisdiction racetrack to be immediately placed on a veterinarian's list could lead to a shorter Fair Grounds winter meet and no Kentucky Derby prep races.View the full article

A filly by Twirling Candy (hip 509), a full-sister to GI Preakness S. winner Rombauer, equaled the fastest quarter-mile work of the week when covering the distance in :20 2/5 during the third session of the under-tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Thursday in Central Florida. Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, who also consigns the Tiz the Law filly who set the :20 2/5 mark Wednesday, the bay was purchased by Mustang Farm for $140,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale. She RNA'd for $285,000 at the OBS Spring sale in April. A pair of fillies shared the fastest furlong work of the day–and the week so far–when working in :9 4/5 Thursday. A daughter of Win Win Win (hip 467) was first to hit that mark. Consigned by Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, the dark bay is out of Biloxi Princess (Animal Kingdom) and from the family of Grade I winner Honey Ryder. Purchased for $14,000 at last year's OBS October sale, the filly RNA'd for $23,000 at the OBS March sale. Late in Thursday's session, a filly by Vino Rosso (hip 452) became the fourth juvenile of the under-tack show to work in :9 4/5. Consigned by Golden Noguez, the chestnut is out of Beach Time (Bernardini) and from the family of Emcee and Constitution. Aureliano Noguez purchased the filly for $12,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. The under-tack show continues through Sunday with sessions beginning daily at 7:30 a.m. The June sale will be held next Wednesday through Friday. Bidding commences each day at 10 a.m. Seltzer Begins Dispersing Stock at OBS Edward Seltzer, who has been breeding racehorses for over six decades, will be offering some 20 juveniles and horses of racing age through the Boutte Sales consignment at next week's OBS June sale. The offerings are the first to go through the ring in the dissolution of a partnership which will continue at upcoming auctions throughout the rest of the year and will include horses of racing age, yearlings and broodmares. “I am putting all of my horses up for sale this year,” Seltzer said. “Not only here [at OBS], but in the yearling sales and at Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland. I will disperse all of my horses.” The juveniles on offer in Ocala will all be galloping at this week's under-tack show. The horses will stand out on their own measure, according to consignor Lynne Boutte. “These are all homebred horses of Mr. Seltzer's that have been raised the old way and brought forward as racehorses in a slower, more old-school style,” Boutte said. “Mr. Seltzer's success proceeds, he is a genius with pedigrees and has developed his own line. The horses speak for themselves. I have been able to go to the farm for a few weeks and [farm manager] Curtis [Garrison] has been wonderful about letting us get to know the horses. We are very happy to be a part of Mr. Seltzer's team in helping with this dissolution of the partnership.” Four of the juveniles in the group are by English Channel, reflecting one of Seltzer's dreams in the sport. “I loved him as a horse,” Seltzer said of the late champion. “I loved him as a sire. In my lifetime, I have never been opposed to grass horses. I enjoy the grass. I enjoy Europe. And one day, I promised my daughter that I would try to win the Arc.” While the horses are selling without reserve, Seltzer is hopeful they will find homes with friends and family. “If there are people in my life that are interested in owning these horses, like my daughter Krista, is one of them, my farm manager Curtis is one of them, and I have another friend who has been involved in this,” Seltzer said. “They are all for sale. People that I care about may buy some of them. I am not opposed to that. And if there are people that want to buy them and they want to call me and they want me to own an interest, I am here.” Reflecting on his time in the sport, Seltzer said, “It's my dream. I have been blessed. I grew up poor. I knew nothing about horses when I grew up and I never saw a horse run until I was out of college. I bought an eighth of a horse. I love the business. I never want to be out of it. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever known.” No matter who ends up owning the horses he has bred, Seltzer said, “In my mind, I own them anyway. Whoever buys them, in my mind I am part of that.” The post Twirling Candy Full-Sister to Rambauer Earns OBS Bullet Thursday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The field for the GI Belmont S., ranked in “likeliest winner” order: 1) SIERRA LEONE (c, Gun Runner–Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B Tabor, Derrick Smith Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing LLC & Peter M. Brant; B-Debby M Oxley (Ky); T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $2,300,000 Ylg '22 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-3-2-0, $1,918,000. Last start: 2nd May 4 GI Kentucky Derby. This relentless, long-striding closer looms as the most logical choice to be draped with a blanket of white carnations Saturday at Saratoga. Yet the field Sierra Leone is facing in the truncated (12 furlongs to 10) Belmont S. isn't a collection of creampuffs, and there is a point beyond the hype and endless scrutinization of his roughly run stretch finish in the GI Kentucky Derby when you have to wonder if this colt is “too obvious” to be bettable at or below his favored 9-5 morning-line ranking. Most handicappers will concede that this Chad Brown trainee is going to unleash one of his trademark, locomotive-like closing kicks, and that is he is probably going to have an easier time doing so in the 10-horse Belmont S. than he did in the chaotic 20-horse Derby. That off-the-tailgate strategy has been Sierra Leone's mode for four straight graded stakes routes, and it's earned him two impressive wins and two narrow defeats by a nose while riding an ascending arc of lifetime Beyer Speed Figures to 99. In the Derby, Sierra Leone rated while third or fourth from last for most of the backstretch run, advanced with authority entering the far turn, gathered momentum weaving through the pack, then got stalled behind a wall of rivals three-eighths out. He then swung eight wide off the turn, built up serious late-race torque, and was leaning all over eventual third-place finisher Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) the entire length of the stretch, culminating in a frenzied three-way photo for the win. Sierra Leone | Sarah Andrew Brown has had five weeks to freshen this colt. According to DRF's Formulator, his benchmark win rate is 24% for all starters over the past five years. That number rises to 26% when you only count horses running back between 33 and 35 days at all levels. It drops to 20% for starters in graded stakes within that 33-to-35-day layoff frame, and dips to 14% when the parameter is narrowed to just Grade I stakes starters running back between 33 and 35 days. Despite his power and prowess, bettors have reason to be concerned that Sierra Leone will continue to be his own worst enemy in the stretch because of his career-long habit of leaning in for his stretch runs. To that end, Brown is employing both a new steering bit in Sierra Leone's mouth and a new jockey on his back (from Tyler Gaffalione to Flavien Prat). Will it be enough to set Sierra Leone straight? 2) DORNOCH (c, Good Magic–Puca, by Big Brown). O-West Paces Racing LLC, R A Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding LLC, Two Eight Racing LLC & Pine Racing Stables; B-Grandview Equine (Ky); T-Danny Gargan. Sales History: $325,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 7-3-2-0, $552,275. Last start: 10th May 4 GI Kentucky Derby. Dornoch enters the Belmont S. coming off the two of the worst performances of his career, a fourth-place try, beaten 6 1/4 lengths, in the GI Blue Grass S., and a tenth-place trouncing by 18 lengths in the Kentucky Derby. Yet both races are complete, cross-a-line-through-'em tactical misfires that are masking this colt's true ability, and the bet here is that Dornoch's 15-1 morning-line price overlays his actual chances of winning. After this full brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage wired a scratch-decimated GII Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream, trainer Danny Gargan pressed on with a late-prep-season plan to teach Dornoch to rate from off the pace in the Blue Grass S. at Keeneland. Dornoch never looked comfortable while taking copious dirt kickback in that Apr. 6 race, and Gargan's strategy then reverted to just letting this colt roll to the front end in Louisville. Yet that plan never panned out either. Dornoch drew the one post for the Derby, and his also-ran fate was sealed when he got bumped and brushed early and never settled while pegged down inside for most of the trip. Luis Saez eventually positioned him for a decent far-turn bid by coming free from cover, but Dornoch checked hard when the hole Saez was aiming for closed as the field careered off the far turn. Dornoch managed to spark to life with mild, upper-stretch interest. But when he encountered more roughhousing, and it was obvious the colt wouldn't attain a top placing, Saez didn't hammer on him for run. From post six at Saratoga, Dornoch figures to put outside pressure on GI Preakness S. upsetter Seize the Grey (Arrogate), who drew the rail and looms as the race's other likely early speed threat. How taxing any internal pace battle might be is what will determine if Dornoch can hold off waves of very capable pressers and closers. Dornoch is one of only two horses ever to finish in front of No. 1-ranked Sierra Leone. But that GII Remsen S. victory is now six months in the rear-view mirror, and Dornoch–even after hitting the rail in the stretch of that December stakes–had the advantage of being on the best part of a speed-conducive track that helped him re-rally against a not-ready-for-prime-time Sierra Leone. If Dornoch is to rekindle their rivalry in the Belmont S., he will have to do so on distinctly different terms as a stronger, faster colt. Mystik Dan | Sarah Andrew 3) MYSTIK DAN (c, Goldencents–Ma'am, by Colonel John). O/B-Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby & 4G Racing, LLC (Ky); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. Lifetime Record: GISW, 8-3-2-1, $4,141,360. Last start: 2nd May 18 GI Preakness S. No reason to micro-analyze the Derby winner's second-place showing in the Preakness: A 9-1 frontrunner who relished a muddy track went straight to an unopposed lead, and the hard-trying Mystik Dan, despite enjoying a no-excuse trip, simply had too much work to do to reel him in. It is rare these days to see any colt contest all three legs of the Triple Crown, and even more of an unexpected treat for a Derby winner who lost the Preakness to attempt it. And since trainer Kenny McPeek has earned a reputation for not running horses where they don't belong, you can go ahead and make the logical leap that Mystik Dan is benefitting from the seasoning that is transforming him from a speed-centric sprinter to a formidable stalker who punches above his weight in Grade I routes. Mystik Dan won the Derby by popping out on top for the first sixteenth, conceding the lead, rating at the rail, then edging up despite continually being locked into that inside position. He ranged within two lengths of the lead four furlongs out, continued to race “on hold” through the turn, then Hernandez won a risky gamble by shooting Mystik Dan through a narrow inside gap at the head of the lane that required his colt to skim the fence while shouldering aside a spent pacemaker. Mystik Dan opened up by two lengths three-sixteenths out, but with two legit closers zeroing in as the line loomed, that lead got whittled away. There's a difference between “tiring” and “quitting,” and while Mystik Dan was losing steam in the final sixteenth, he never packed it in, surviving a three-way bob to prevail in one of the most exciting Derby finishes in decades. Mystik Dan's trip in the Belmont S. ideally unfolds with Hernandez–like in the Derby–securing inside positioning from post three, about four or five lengths behind dueling leaders. A sustained run from the half-mile pole home is well within this colt's scope of ability over 10 furlongs against this level of competition. 4) ANTIQUARIAN (c, Preservationist–Lifetime Memory, by Istan). ($250,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Centennial Farms; B-Brereton C. Jones (Ky); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-1-0, $173,000. Last start: WON May 11 GIII Peter Pan S. Antiquarian was unfazed when pinballed at the break of the GIII Peter Pan S., then gave up ground three wide around both turns before responding to energetic hustling from jockey John Velazquez. That rousing produced a long, grind-down stretch run that resonated as a nice visual, especially when this colt became emboldened in response to favored rival The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso) digging in and re-rallying at the sixteenth pole. The result was a three-quarters of a length victory that came back as a 92 Beyer, matching the same figure Antiquarian earned when sixth (but only beaten four lengths) in the Mar. 23 GII Louisiana Derby. Antiquarian | Sarah Andrew Antiquarian had broken through the gate prior to the Louisiana Derby, so perhaps more important than any statistical analysis is the fact that he was much more polished given the benefit of seven weeks of development between his Fair Grounds and Aqueduct starts. This colt, after all, didn't truly turn three until May 11, the date he took flight in the Peter Pan. A wet track could move up Antiquarian. He broke his maiden in the slop at Fair Grounds Feb. 17 in a race that yielded two next-out winners. Velazquez has won the Belmont S. twice, and any time you get him at 12-1 on the morning line for a Grade I stakes, you have to consider including his mount purely from a value perspective. 5) MINDFRAME (c, Constitution–Walk of Stars, by Street Sense). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC; B-R. Larry Johnson (MD); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Sales History: $600,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $87,360. Last start: WON May 4 allowance. The 2-for-2 Mindframe carries himself with an assertive panache that belies his light experience and May 13 foaling date. His emphatic 103 and 97 Beyers, earned in a seven-furlong maiden race and a 1 1/16-miles allowance, respectively, are what earned him lofty status as the 7-2 second favorite on the morning line for the Belmont S. And those numbers (or comparable values from any other figure-maker) are what will propel this colt to wise-guy contention as the new-face wild card with sky's-the-limit potential making his first start against stakes company. In Mindframe's unveiling on the undercard of the Mar. 30 GI Florida Derby, he blasted out of gate, planted himself in a primo outside stalking spot while fourth behind a blistering pace, then opened up at will to apply a 13 3/4-length beatdown to a shell-shocked field of foes. Start number two was on the May 4 undercard for the Kentucky Derby, and Mindframe seized control straight from the outermost post, established a measured mid-race tempo (while always appearing as if he was cruising faster), and only had to effortlessly swat back a single bid from a 30-1 shot before running up the score by 7 1/2 lengths. Mindframe is aiming to become the first Maryland-bred winner of the Belmont S. since Caveat in 1983. They'll be partying like it's 1877 in the Free State if this colt joins the 19th Century's Cloverbrook as the third Maryland-bred winner of the third leg of the Triple Crown. Seize the Grey | Sarah Andrew 6) SEIZE THE GREY (c, Arrogate–Smart Shopping by Smart Strike). O-MyRacehorse; B-Jamm, Ltd. (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Sales History: $300,000 Ylg '22 FTSAUG). Lifetime Record: GISW, 10-4-0-3, $1,819,938. Last tart: WON May 18 GI Preakness S. If you judge Seize the Grey solely by his Preakness upset that was orchestrated under extremely favorable conditions (as the lone speed over a muddy surface that other contenders didn't handle), it's tough to project that he'll be able to produce another forward leap like the one that added 12 points to his best lifetime Beyer (from 88 to 100). But if you widen the lens to account for the overall progress he's made since breaking his maiden on Feb. 24, and then factor in trainer D. Wayne Lukas's enthusiasm for how well this colt bounced out of the Preakness three weeks ago, you have to give this this gray son of Arrogate more than a dark-horse chance of building on that momentum. Although Seize the Grey seems likely to be asked for speed from post one based on what we saw in his most recent effort, a glance at his past performances shows that only in two of his 10 races has he totally committed to winging it on the lead. “This horse is very manageable,” Lukas said earlier this week. “You could lay him anywhere in the race and he would be effective. He is not at all a one-dimensional horse.” Two starts back, when Seize the Grey upset the GII Pat Day Mile S., he stalked in a tight pack behind very quick fractions, rallied four wide, then survived some bumping and split foes to score by 1 1/4 lengths. Lukas has won four editions of the Belmont S., sweeping the race between 1994 and 1996. He last won in 2000 with 18-1 pace-presser Commendable. 7) RESILIENCE (c, Into Mischief–Meadowsweet, by Smart Strike). O-Emily Bushnell & Ric Waldman; B-Pam & Martin Wygod (Ky); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-2-1-1, $494,630. Last start: 6th May 4 GI Kentucky Derby. This son of Into Mischief beat 14 horses in the Derby, which is no small feat. He raced at the back of the first flight while three wide through the initial turn, then vaulted into contention off the far bend while seven deep, making his move at the same time a large number of rivals were either surging or regressing. He was in the mix chasing Mystik Dan between the quarter pole and the three-sixteenths marker, then tired. It took Resilience four starts to break his maiden, but the horses who won those first three at Saratoga and Churchill all eventually became stakes winners, so he didn't exactly have an easy path to the winner's circle when he finally graduated Jan. 1 at Gulfstream. He subsequently ran fourth behind Sierra Leone in New Orleans, then capitalized off of a no-excuse, ground-saving go behind 52-1 and 80-1 shots who were sparring on the front end of the GII Wood Memorial S. Resilience | Sarah Andrew This colt wore blinkers in both the Wood and Derby. That equipment was added by trainer Bill Mott because Resilience was previously hesitant to pass horses. Will he be a passive player or more aggressive off a five-week freshening? Even with Mott's well-established mojo at the Spa, I'd still want higher than Resilience's 10-1 morning-line odds. 8) HONOR MARIE (Honor Code–Dame Marie, by Smart Strike). O-Ribble Farms LLC, Michael H. Eiserman, Earl I. Silver, Kenneth E. Fishbein and Dave Fishbein; B-Royce Pulliam (Ky); T-D. Whitworth Beckman. Sales History: $40,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-2-2-0, $526,175. Last start: 8th May 4 GI Kentucky Derby. Although I have Honor Marie ranked here as the eighth-likeliest winner, his chances of making a sustained move to snag a minor placing in exotics is a much more likely possibility. This $40,000 KEESEP son of Honor Code isn't a large-framed stayer, but he's been described by trainer Whit Beckman as a smart horse who “keeps himself where he needs to be.” His style of making one determined, even-keeled run will serve him well over 10 furlongs, especially if he gets a little help from an overheated pace. A legit concern is that Honor Marie is now past the six-month mark since his last trip to the winner's circle. When he captured the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. at Churchill back on Nov. 25, it came under the unusual circumstances of five horses dueling early and two others taking failed late-race runs at the lead before this colt swooped by from last. In the Derby, Honor Marie was jostled early, then had to steady to get out of the way of a veering-out rival on the clubhouse turn. He passed faders to finish eighth but never established the type of positioning that would have enabled him to launch into a better-planned closing kick. 9) THE WINE STEWARD (c, Vino Rosso–Call to Service, by To Honor and Serve). O-Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher; B-Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC, Lakland Farm & Mark Toothaker (NY); T-Michael J. Maker. Sales History: $70,000 Ylg '22 SARAUG; $340,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. $40,000. Lifetime Record: SW, 6-3-3-0, $467,260. Last start: 2nd May 11 GIII Peter Pan S. The Wine Steward and Seize the Grey are the only two Belmont S. entrants to have won a race at Saratoga. After capturing a stakes for New York-breds at the Spa last Aug. 27, this colt ran one of the more visually appealing Breeders' Cup preps for 2-year-olds despite coming up short in the Oct. 7 GI Breeders' Futurity S. That Keeneland stakes was The Wine Steward's first try around two turns, and he drew the rail while entering the race off a 3-for-3 record. He saved ground, advanced to lead a quarter-mile out over a short-stretch configuration, got accosted by the odds-on favorite, then gamely snatched back the lead for a sixteenth of a mile in deep stretch before that fave re-rallied to nail The Wine Steward by half a length. The Wine Steward | Sarah Andrew The Wine Steward was entered in the GI Juvenile, but had to scratch the morning prior to his Breeders' Cup start because of an allergic reaction. The issue then delayed his return over the winter, but this colt has since posted a pair of seconds, beaten three-quarters of a length each time, in both the GIII Lexington S. over 1 1/16 miles and the Peter Pan S. at nine furlongs. The Wine Steward's Beyers have plateaued at roughly the same level from age two to three (last three starts 92-92-91), but he's always in it to win it in deep stretch, an intangible that could matter more than speed figures. 10) PROTECTIVE (c, Medaglia d'Oro–Grace Hall, by Empire Maker). O-Repole Stable; B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Sales History: ($250,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). Lifetime Record: 4-0-1-2, $121,920. Last start: 3rd May 11 GIII Peter Pan S. Protective has crossed the wire second and third in two recent stakes and also in two earlier maiden tries (once DQ'd to fourth). But he remains winless entering the Belmont S. Judging by beaten lengths, he's been within striking range of Resilience (in the Wood Memorial) and Antiquarian (in the Peter Pan). But he has yet to face the likes of the horses ranked 1-2-3 in this write-up. Both of Protective's stakes tries had a “best of the rest” flavor that suggest he would need to run the race of his life Saturday in conjunction with most of the other major contenders coming up empty in order to orchestrate an upset. But still, if you take a look at this colt's stout pedigree, trainer Todd Pletcher's overall success, and factor in a switch to a different rider (Irad Ortiz, Jr. to Tyler Gaffalione), all the ingredients are there for the redboarding should Protective break his maiden in the Belmont S. The post TDN Belmont Stakes Preview: ‘Test Of A Champion’ Gets A Spa Treatment appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Kirk Larsen is keeping his options open as he chases down a deserved win with Ward Lamon. The pacer has been brilliantly consistent through the autumn and winter, coming into race 7 at Ascot Park on Friday on the back of three second placings. While tactics look obvious for Larsen with Ward Lamon perfectly placed in barrier 3, the trainer-driver has plenty of choices in front of him. “From 3, it would be good if we were able to punch out and lead, but it’s not the be-all and end-all,” Larsen said. “We haven’t whizzed him out too many times, but when we have he has shown good gate speed.” “He has been really good when we have driven him in behind, too.” “So, we will just have to see how things pan out and what the other ones do.” Ward Lamon sat parked for much of his last start second at Winton, putting up yet another strong effort. In his previous second, the pacer was second to the unbeaten Southside Of Heaven at Ascot Park, when only getting out late. “He has been getting pretty close, we would love to win one with him soon so we can put him out for a break.” “These one-win races are pretty competitive, Terra Sancta and Bonnie’s Girl, and Rollon Summer look handy chances.” “But hopefully he can go another good race.” Ward Lamon was rated the $7 third favourite in early betting for race 7 on Friday. Newcomer to the Craig Ferguson stable Rollon Summer was quickly backed into $2.50 odds. Larsen also lines up Blue Star Hima in race 1 on Friday. The pacer comes into the event on the back of a steady last start sixth at the same track. Blue Star Hima showed enough early speed in his last start to put himself in a handy spot on Friday. “I was a little disappointed in him last start, but he ended up three back and they walked and sprinted a 28sec quarter,” Larsen said. “Ideally, if he could punch out and roll along that would suit him.” “I have always liked him, so hopefully he can start showing it.” Larsen also starts Kiss Me Kate who looks an outside hope in race 2. View the full article

In a race that was changed by the morning scratch of 'TDN Rising Star' Long Neck Paula (Uncle Mo), it was 13-1 longshot WHATINTHELITERAL (f, 2, Lord Nelson–Lilikoi, by Freud) who just held off a determined Aoraki (Dominus) to win Thursday's Astoria S. at the Belmont at Saratoga meet. Trapped down along the rail, the pair traded contact most of the way to the wire with Whatintheliteral just prevailing over the 7-2 shot. The stewards looked into the events of the stretch but ultimately determined no change to the order of finish. Lifetime Record: 3-1-0-1. O-horseOlogy Racing and Steinhart, Craig; B-Bella Inizio Farm, LLC; T-Jena M. Antonucci. #1 Whatintheliteral breaks her maiden in the Astoria S. at Saratoga for trainer @jenaantonucci with @jjcjockey aboard! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/MAMUQjLfvO — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 6, 2024 The post Lord Nelson’s Whatintheliteral An Upset Winner Of The Astoria appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nash Rawiller winning the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on top of Black Pirahna in 2010 Jockey Nash Rawiller, who has been performing well with a 19% win rate in his 100 rides, will be absent from the Stradbroke Handicap event due to a suspension for careless riding. The suspension was imposed after he was found guilty of allowing his horse to shift in and cause interference during a race at Warwick Farm. Despite pleading guilty and accepting the consequences, Rawiller will miss races including the Stradbroke Handicap, the JJ Atkins, the Q22, and the Brisbane Cup. His suspension will start after his races at Eagle Farm. He is expected to return to racing on June 19th. This suspension comes as a setback for the veteran jockey, who has a history of success in these events. Horse racing news View the full article

Off a debut second-place effort over the local course May 16, CONQUERING CAT (c, 2, Game Winner–Coy Cat, by Hold That Tiger) hit the wire first Thursday to become the first winner for his freshman sire (by Candy Ride {Arg}). Coming from off the pace, the 2-1 favorite reeled in pacesetter The Toner (Maclean's Music) inside the final sixteenth to graduate at second asking. Game Winner stands at Lane's End Farm for $20,000. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0. O-Dare To Dream Stable LLC (Michael Faber); B-SF Bloodstock & Tuscany Bloodstock; T-Christopher Davis. Sales History: $80,000 ylg '23 KEESEP, $100,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. #7 Conquering Cat graduates at second asking in the opener at Churchill Downs for trainer @chdavisracing with @luissaezpty aboard! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/zTeO2waeVy — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 6, 2024 The post Game Winner Gets First Winner With Conquering Cat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Bill Mott was a busy man mid-morning June 6 outside his Saratoga Race Course barn, escorting horses off the Oklahoma Training Track and attending to matters at his stable. In the coming days, the Hall of Famer only figures to get busier.View the full article

Resolute Racing purchased the bay daughter of The Autumn Sun for AU$3.2 million (approximately US$2,108,448) at last month's Inglis Chairman's Sale. She will move to the United States under the guidance of trainer Ignacio Correas IV.View the full article