Wandering Eyes

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is rolling out the Makeover Champions program by inviting members of the Thoroughbred industry to demonstrate public support for former connected horses who are headed to the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, the RRP said in a press release on Thursday. Former connections, including breeders, owners, trainers, and stallion farms are eligible to participate in the program. Makeover Champions will share updates about their former connected horses throughout the event. Additional participation options include volunteering at the Thoroughbred Makeover, attending to cheer on their former connected horses or making a monetary donation in support of the RRP's charitable mission. “We've seen an ever-increasing number of connections over the past decade of work at the RRP who are keenly interested in what their horses are doing beyond racing,” said RRP Executive Director Kirsten Green. “Outcomes for Thoroughbreds will only continue to improve if we as an industry strive to consider their life cycle holistically and embrace the career that comes after racing, not just consider it a 'plan B.'” Click here to learn more. The post Retired Racehorse Project Introduces Makeover Champions Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) will begin its second season with a stop at Kentucky Downs on Sunday, Sept. 1, the track said in a Thursday release. Launched last year, the NTL tour adds a competitive component for its teams based on the outcome of races. At Kentucky Downs, that will involve a five-race sequence culminating in the $500,000 National Thoroughbred League Handicap. There are no nomination, entry or starter fees for the scheduled handicap, though horses must be nominated by Aug. 19, with declarations to be made by Aug. 24 and weights announced Aug. 26. Of the $500,000 purse, $200,000 is restricted to eligible Kentucky-breds. “We want to support innovation that's designed to create new fans and we're happy to have the NTL at Kentucky Downs for the second year,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs's vice president for racing. “There's not a better place to launch our season than in two unique venues like as Nashville and Kentucky Downs,” said NTL President Tom Ludt. “We appreciative the Kentucky Downs team for helping to facilitate our dream designed to grow the sport we all love.” As part of the festivities, the NTL is staging an on-track party in Kentucky Downs's VIP Chalet. The public can join the NTL VIP party by buying tickets through the track's online ticket office. The post National Thoroughbred League Second Season Starts At Kentucky Downs Sept. 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eleanora Kennedy's Black Forza (Complexity–Harlee Honey, by Harlan's Holiday), a £220,000 Goffs UK Breeze-Up graduate, shed maiden status at Fairyhouse last month and stepped forward to notch a landmark win for his Airdie Stud-based freshman sire (by Macleans Music) in Thursday's G2 Markel Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. The Michael O'Callaghan trainee was steadied after the break and settled several lengths off the tempo in seventh through the early fractions of this six-furlong dash. Coming under pressure to reduce arrears approaching the quarter-mile marker, the 9-1 chance went fifth entering the final furlong and continued his withering run on the stands' side to nab Wathnan Racing's The Strikin Viking (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) by a half-length in the dying strides. Bearstone Stud's Intrusively (GB) (Territories {Ire}) kept on strongly in the closing stages to finish 3/4-of-a-length adrift in third. A game performance from Black Forza who makes it back-to-back wins, taking out the Group 2 @MarkelUK Richmond Stakes for @DylanBrowneMcM and @MDOCallaghan! pic.twitter.com/edEvKUeD7B — Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) August 1, 2024 The post Black Forza Becomes Complexity’s First European Stakes Winner With Richmond Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Craig Fravel, who served as the executive vice chair for The Stronach Group's 1/ST Racing, is leaving the company and becoming a partner and senior advisor with Southern California-based Brown Advisory, the global, private and independent investment management firm said in a release early Thursday. Beginning in late 2019, Fravel was hired to lead 1/ST Racing as its chief executive during the equine fatality crisis at Santa Anita. His tenure also included presiding over the sale of Pimlico Race Course and the closing of Golden Gate Fields. Prior to that, Fravel was the President and CEO of the Breeders' Cup, from 2011 through 2019, and President of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club where he worked from 1990 to 2011. “We are very excited to have Craig join our firm. He has a demonstrated track record of success and trust–he knows how to bring people together and get things done,” said Mike Hankin, president and CEO. “Craig's thoughtful approach to finding solutions combined with his connections, network and expertise in and beyond horse racing will be very valuable to our clients.” Also, Fravel served on the board of Equibase and while at the Breeders' Cup he was a member of the board of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. “After a rewarding career in the Thoroughbred racing industry, it is thrilling to have an opportunity to bring the skills and relationships developed over the years to Brown Advisory as it expands its presence in California,” said Fravel. “While I am deeply grateful for the experiences and friends I have enjoyed in racing, it is a great time for me and my family to undertake a new challenge. The culture, integrity and excellence I have personally witnessed in my interactions with Brown Advisory and its colleagues in recent years gives me confidence that the next chapter will be as fulfilling as the last.” Fravel is on the board of The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the Southern California Equine Foundation and the Dolly Green Research Foundation. On the roll of The Jockey Club of America, he chairs that organization's Thoroughbred Safety Committee and he is also a Breeders' Cup member. Brown's latest hire started his career at the San Diego law firm of Luce, Forward, Hamilton and Scripps after graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law. The post Craig Fravel Leaves Stronach To Join Brown Advisory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Terry Gillett-trained Dakota Lee makes her Darwin debut on Saturday in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m). There are a host of in-form speedsters in Darwin, so the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) on Saturday is shaping as a thrilling contest. In 2020, just 0.6 lengths separated the first five horses across the line with Gary Clarke’s Enigman sneaking home. It was one of the more spectacular finishes at Fannie Bay and it might well be an exciting conclusion to the Palmerston this weekend. Clarke, who has won the Palmerston five times since 2016, goes into the Darwin Cup Carnival’s Day 7 feature with three starters, including Spaceship – the $5 favourite with online bookmakers. Six other horses were also under double figure odds – last year’s winner Early Crow ($5.50) from the Chris Pollard stable, Chris Nash’s Ideas Man ($6), Clarke’s Lumber Punk ($7.50), Terry Gillett’s Dakota Lee ($7.50) from Alice Springs, Pollard’s Kerioth ($8.50) and Phil Cole’s Star Magnum ($9.50). Early Crow, Ideas Man, Kerioth and Star Magnum saluted at the top level in the Top End during July. Lumber Punk was a last start second when he powered home to trail Early Crow by half a length over 1200m in weight-for-age company a fortnight ago. Spaceship, who won his first three starts after arriving from Queensland, was fourth in the same weight-for-age contest and drops 4kg for the Palmerston. Dakota Lee, who boasts 10 wins from 10 starts in the Red Centre, debuts at Fannie Bay. Cole’s Conclave Prince ($11) finished second behind Kerioth over 1200m (0-76) before winning over 1100m (0-70) during July. Clarke’s former NSW galloper Seguso ($15) worked home nicely in his NT debut when second behind Star Magnum in open company over 1100m on July 6. A leading Darwin racing analyst, who wished to remain anonymous due to his links with a local stable, labelled this year’s Palmerston field as arguably one of the strongest ever. “Spaceship has been a popular favourite for a while, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Early Crow or Ideas Man are the punter’s elect on Saturday,” he said. “Can Early Crow win again, can last year’s runner up Ideas Man take the next step? “Spaceship only has 54.5kg and barrier two, and with Jarrod Todd on board he’s the one to beat. “Chris Pollard has done a great job with Early Crow and Kerioth after they spent time with the Clarke stable after cutting ties with the Dick Leech yard. Despite her formidable record in the Red Centre, Dakota Lee will need to be at her best come Saturday’s feature. “Everyone is aware of Dakota Lee’s issues over the years, but she had three wins in Alice before heading here,” he said. “There’s no doubt she has ability, but she’s drawn the outside gate (12) and although I’m not writing her off I fear trainer Terry Gillett may regret not giving her a start before the Palmerston. “Kerioth has been terrific and only carries 54kg, but barrier 11 could also hinder his hopes. “Star Magnum, who usually jumps well, could be competitive because in his last two wins over 1100m they couldn’t catch him after getting to an early lead. “Star Magnum won the Flying Sprint last weekend, Early Crow won that race last year. “Lightweight hopes Lumber Punk, Seguso and Conclave Prince must be respected.” 2024 Palmerston Sprint Tips David White (horsebetting.com.au) 4 STAR MAGNUM 1 IDEAS MAN 6 SPACESHIP 10 LUMBER PUNK Craig Sant (Darwin Racecaller) 7 KERIOTH 5 SEGUSO 10 LUMBER PUNK 3 EARLY CROW Greg Aldam (Thoroughbred Racing NT) 10 LUMBER PUNK 1 IDEAS MAN 3 EARLY CROW 7 KERIOTH Andrew O’Toole (Sky Racing) 1 IDEAS MAN 5 SEGUSO 6 SPACESHIP 10 LUMBER PUNK Horse racing news View the full article

Jarrod Todd steers Shakattak to success in the $40,000 Dabble Cup. Fittingly, champion Darwin trainer Gary Clarke and jockey Jarrod Todd claimed the final race of the 2023/24 season at Fannie Bay on Wednesday. It occurred in the feature on Day 6 of the Darwin Cup Carnival when five-year-old gelding Shakattak – the $1.95 favourite with online bookmakers – won the $40,000 Dabble Cup (1300m). The son of Shalaa saluted over 1300m (0-66) on July 13 following a first up seventh over 1200m (0-66) in June when he arrived from Clinton McDonald’s Cranbourne stable. For Clarke and Todd, it was their third straight Carnival feature with Masatora sealing the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m) on July 20 and Wolfburn landing the $50,000 Metric Mile (1600m) last Saturday. Clarke, winner of the Top End and Country trainers’ premiership for a 12th straight year, finished the season with 68 wins. Todd ended the campaign with 60 wins to claim the jockeys’ premiership for the fifth year in the row. Looking ahead to the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) on Saturday and the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) on Monday, Clarke and Todd are in the mix as Spaceship and Wolfburn are serious contenders. Fourth behind leaders Plague Stone, Swing With Junior and Budgerigar in the Dabble Cup, Shakattak found clear air in the home straight before kicking away at the 100m to seal victory by 1.3 lengths. Jason Manning’s Budgerigar ($12) fought on gamely for second after travelling three deep for the entire trip, while Neil Dyer’s Yaki Ishi ($6.50) finished strongly and wasn’t all that far away in third place. Clarke had a winning double when six-year-old mare Adelaide River ($7), led from start to finish to overcome Tom Logan’s Polarising ($1.65 fav) and Kerry Petrick’s Flash Fiorente ($26) over 1100m. Polarising, a spectacular last start winner, was desperately unlucky when flattened at the back of the field at the 800m before finishing 1.6 lengths adrift of the winner. Trainer Chris Nash and jockey Mark Pegus had two wins with five-year-old mare Li’l Wonder ($5.50) getting home over 1200m (0-62) and seven-year-old gelding Mr Have A Chat ($3.20 fav) getting the chocolates over 1100m. Li’l Wonder led from start to finish to clip Phil Cole’s Soul Spirit ($6) and Kym Healy’s Cyclonite ($19) by 3.5 lengths, while Mr Have A Chat skipped two lengths clear at the 600m before getting home by 0.8 lengths from Clarke’s Kumicho ($3.60) and Healy’s Real Valentia ($5.50). Tayarn Halter’s I’m A Dreamer ($11), who wasn’t far from the lead, ended a 13 month drought with victory over 1600m (0-62) when the six-year-old gelding shook off Dan Morgan’s Dartboard ($12) and Petrick’s Real Divine ($21) in a blanket finish. Neil Dyer and Noel Callow, combined for victory when five-year-old mare Ariarne hit the front exiting the back straight before clocking Chris Pollard’s stablemates Go Barney Go ($10) and Full Damage ($15) by 6.2 lengths in a 1300m maiden. Horse racing news View the full article

Nurlan Bizakov's Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is on course in his bid to enhance an already excellent record this season with a crack at the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois on August 11. The Roger Varian-trained four-year-old has been one of the stars of the year in Britain, kicking off with a win in the Listed Doncaster Mile on the opening day of the turf season before going on to victory in the G2 Bet365 Mile and G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was also second to Audience (GB) in the G1 Lockinge Stakes. Charyn took to the July Course for a racecourse gallop on Thursday morning with Silvestre de Sousa in the saddle, as he has been for each of the colt's starts this year. Working over six and half furlongs, the grey breezed past his lead horse in the final furlong of the gallop, with both trainer and jockey declaring themselves to be pleased with the morning's exercise. “He's heading to Deauville for the Jacques Le Marois and he looks in great form,” Varian told TDN. “That's always been the plan. We took him out of the Sussex [Stakes] a little while ago to focus on the one plan and I can't see any reason why Deauville shouldn't suit him. That gallop will bring him on. Silvestre was happy with him and he looks in really good shape.” Charyn, who was bred by Grangemore Stud and bought by Bizakov's Sumbe operation as a yearling, has already been successful in France, having won the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly two years ago. He posted some decent efforts in defeat during his three-year-old season, including finishing third behind Paddington (GB) in last year's Sussex Stakes and third to Angel Bleu (Fr) in the G2 Celebration Mile. The latter, who is also a son of Dark Angel, is already installed on the Sumbe stallion roster at Haras de Montfort et Preaux in Normandy. With a burgeoning presence in France, Bizakov, who also owns Hesmonds Stud in England, now stands four stallions and sponsors the entire card on Sumbe Prix Morny day at Deauville. Varian added of Charyn, whose efforts this season have guaranteed him an eventual berth in the Sumbe stallion yard, “He's a horse with a really good constitution and a great mind. We've got 11 days to go so helpfully we'll have a smooth passage between now and the race, but we're very happy with him. He's right on schedule.” Nurlan Bizakov's laidback and rather lovely Charyn took to the July Course this morning in the company of @SilvDSousa and his trainer @varianstable as he prepares for his next G1 run in the Prix Jacques Le Marois. pic.twitter.com/WqRY2Knjwj — Emma Berry (@CollingsBerry) August 1, 2024 The post Charyn ‘Right on Schedule’ For Jacques Le Marois appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Ipswich Races Where Ipswich Turf Club – 219 Brisbane Rd, Bundamba QLD 4304 When Friday, August 2, 2024 First Race 12:36pm AEST Visit Dabble Queensland racing will head to the Ipswich Turf Club for a competitive eight-race card this Friday afternoon. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, but with no rain on the forecast, it is expected to improve into the Good range. The rail will be in the +3m position for the entire circuit, with racing set to kick off at 12:36pm AEST. Best Bet at Ipswich: Uchi Uchi claimed a strong win at Toowoomba over 870m first-up and maintained her undefeated record from three starts. The Lindsay Hatch-trained mare settled on speed, took over at the 150m mark, and held off a late challenge from So Extra to win by half a length. This daughter of Performer will stay in the same grade and race over 800m, so if Dylan Bennett can settle in the first four from barrier five, there is no reason to think Uchi can’t win again. Best Bet Race 6 – #3 Uchi (5) 4yo Mare | T: Lindsay Hatch | J: Dylan Bennett (a3) (62kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Ipswich: Miss Middle Park On her debut for the Tony Gollan stable, Miss Middle Park was involved in an 1110m race at Doomben where multiple horses were hampered by an incident in the barriers. This daughter of Maurice settled at the rear of the field before she picked her way through to run home strongly into third place. The five-year-old mare is expected to improve second-up and appreciate a solid tempo in this contest. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Miss Middle Park (5) 6yo Mare | T: Tony Gollan | J: James Orman (57.5kg) Bet with Dabble Best Value at Ipswich: Umabett After a close miss at this track last time out, Umabett will be seeking to go one better and break her maiden. Last start, this daughter of Better Than Ready recorded the fastest last 600m, 400m and 200m sections of the race but found trouble in the final 200m and could only manage second place. From barrier two, Cody Collis can settle in the one-one position, and with even luck, Umabett can break her maiden at the fourth time of asking. Best Value Race 2 – #12 Umabett (2) 3yo Filly | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Cody Collis (a1.5) (55kg) Bet with Picklebet Friday quaddie tips for Ipswich races Ipswich quadrella selections Friday, August 2, 2024 1-2-3-4 3-7 4-5-8-14 2-4-5-10-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Race 6 CAMPBELL INFRASTRUCTURE 2200m DANZINO (J Doyle) – Trainer Mr. S Phelan reported to Stewards, that on Monday 29 July, Danzino, underwent a veterinarian examination and a chiropractor examination with no abnormalities being detected. S Phelan further advised the gelding had a few days of light work and it is his intention to continue with DANZINO’S current preparation. INNOCENT VICTIM (J Fawcett) – Trainer Mr. S Cole reported to Stewards, that on Tuesday 30 July, INNOCENT VICTIM underwent a veterinarian examination which included x-rays with results showing a bone chip to the knee of the right foreleg. Surgery to remove the bone chip was performed on Wednesday 31 July. S Cole further advised INNOCENT VICTIM will be sent to spell to recover. The post Racing Rotorua @ Arawa Park, Thursday 25 July 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 6 HUMPHRIES CONSTRUCTION 1400m LUXURIANT (L Allpress) – Te Akau Racing Manager, Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of LUXURIANT and will continue with the current preparation. R Trumper further advised the stable will look to nominate the gelding at Awapuni Synthetic meeting in a few weeks time. The post Manawatu Racing Club @ Awapuni Synthetic, Thursday 25 July 202 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and JD Hayes finished just shy of 200 winners in the recently completely season and will be looking for an early Stakes race win at Flemington on Saturday. The brothers prepared 199 winners Australia wide for the 2023-24 season and got the 2024-25 season off to a good start with an early double at Cranbourne on Thursday. But at Flemington on Saturday the Lindsay Park team will be pinning their hopes in Crosshaven (Smart Missile) and Nicolini Vito (Nicconi) in the Gr.3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m). The Daniel Nakhle bred and raced Crosshaven, who officially turned seven on Thursday, has been a difficult horse to follow later in his career but has struck form of late since being restricted to straight racing at Flemington. The gelding won the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) as a three-year-old and later the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington and as an older galloper the Gr. 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. But he was in the wilderness for a time until breaking back into winning form over 1100m at Flemington on June 22. JD Hayes said races like the Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) and the Gr.2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m), down the Flemington straight, could be on Crosshaven’s agenda if he runs well on Saturday. “He has a liking for the straight and has got himself back into form, so we’ll keep to the straight if the program permits it,” Hayes said. “He’s been up a long time, but he’s very fresh and well in himself and he’s a rock-hard fit gelding and he’s done terrific with the time between runs.” Among their winners at Cranbourne on Thursday was talented three-year-old Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto), who broke through for a strong maiden victory over 1400m, having contested Group races in his two-year-old season. “Today was almost D-Day so he needed to get the victory on the board for some patient owners,” stable representative Will Evans said. “We have always had a very high opinion of this horse and he has come back this preparation as a gelding. “He was a bit unlucky the other day (when second at Ballarat). Today Mick Dee just took him to the front today and made him do it and he should go through the grades now and he handled the wet ground well.” View the full article

JJ Rayner will bid to follow in the footsteps of her father Evan with rugged stayer Lord Spencer (NZ) (Zed) at the Riccarton carnival. She has her sights set on Saturday’s Avon City Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) as a lead into the Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) seven days later. Rayner senior completed the feature jumping double in 1990 with Mister Divinsky (NZ) (Lavinsky), a dashing performer who remained unbeaten in six starts over the smaller fences, while Van Winkle also placed in both events. His daughter JJ can’t fault Lord Spencer’s preparation ahead of the weekend and is also delighted stablemate Hacksaw Ridge (NZ) (Power) made the field for the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m). Both horses enjoyed a smooth trip south to Riccarton from their Wanganui base earlier this week. “They both travelled nicely and have eaten well so everything is all good with them,” she said. “With Lord Spencer, it would be nice if he could do a Mister Divinsky but I don’t know if we can beat (favourite) Berry The Cash but we’ll be giving it a good go.” A son of Zed, Lord Spencer placed in both the Awapuni Hurdle (3000m) and the Waikato Hurdle (3200m) before finishing fourth in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) and was a last-start sixth in the Wellington Hurdle (3200m). “He’s been racing well and we’ve got Lemmy Chief Stipelas back on, he started the season on him but then had to jump off to ride on the flat at Wellington when we went to Te Rapa,” Rayner said. “The horse had a hard run last time when he covered a lot of ground, but he recovered really well and his work since has been great. “The further he goes the better he’ll be so the distance of the National will suit him. “We’re hoping he can be right there on Saturday, he always hits a flat spot with a round to go and you just have to leave him alone, the more you bustle him the more piggy he gets. “You just have to let him do his thing and then he’ll pick up again and work into it.” Winter Cup contender Hacksaw Ridge has already made his mark at black type level with a runner-up finish on his home track in last season’s Listed Ag Training Stakes (1600m). More recently, the Power gelding ran second in the Poverty Bay Cup (1600m) at Hastings and was then fifth in the Whyte Handicap (1600m) at Trentham after interference at barrier rise. “We were thinking he may not get in, but he has so that’s great and with 53kg we were lucky enough to get Kevin Kalychurun on him,” Rayner said. “He’s got that light weight, and he likes a bad track so he might just be in with a show.” View the full article

New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust are on-course assisting our equine athletes in their time of need, so the industry is preparing to give back during their “Here For The Horse” campaign from August 1. Established in 2016, the NZHAT was initially the brainchild of equine veterinarians Dr. Peter Gillespie and Dr. Bill Bishop over five years prior, who sought out a solution to how injuries on race day could be handled in a dignified, safe and effective manner. Through the assistance and support of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, Harness Racing New Zealand and the Racing Integrity Board, the project came to life and the first ambulance was debuted during New Zealand Cup Week at Riccarton Park in November of 2018. A racing enthusiast and owner, Jo Starr is a key figure in the running of this important operation and among the key figures behind their upcoming campaign. “The horse ambulance was set up as a charitable trust and through the help of several generous sponsors including the likes of Cambridge Stud and Valachi Downs, we were able to commence the building process of our fleet,” Starr said. “I got involved as a volunteer around the time of Cup Week in 2018. Being a long-time racing enthusiast and a lover of thoroughbreds, it made me realise I wanted to be involved in helping improve outcomes when these incidents happen. “I was a volunteer for two years whilst working full-time, and the trust just got bigger and bigger through social media, marketing and getting positive stories out there. “We got to the stage where we had seven or eight ambulances around the country and were operating as a service like St John, so I came on part-time to run the operations in terms of driver training, organisation and health-and-safety alongside the fundraising. “It has expanded hugely over the past couple of years, we attend every race meeting, trials and harness races, as well as attending quite a number of equestrian events so the demand continues to grow. We are having to scale-up further with increased racedays next season as well. “We have a tenth horse ambulance being deployed in Otago in six weeks’ time, which will mean that we can cover the whole country, having four in the South Island and six in the North Island. “I give huge kudos to NZTR and HRNZ for funding the basic costs so we can provide this service across all race meetings. New Zealand racing is front-footing animal welfare and social license, they are very proactive in making progress and this is tangible proof of that.” As a charity, the Trust has fundraised more than $1.5 million to build the custom horse ambulances, with design features that ensure the horse is treated with the utmost care and comfort. “The design is all evidence-based and developed by equine vets, so we have unique features such as a padded crush to support the horse, and hydraulics that can drop the ambulance to the ground, so we are always aiming to look out for the horse’s welfare,” Starr said. “We work very closely with the stewards and the raceday vet, because we are all part of the response. “We have also, for example, transported Per Incanto from the equine hospital to Cambridge Stud to convalesce when he was injured, so the service extends beyond raceday. “Our main mission is to get horses safely from the location to the equine hospital or vet clinic so the outcome is more likely to be positive.” The new season will also mark the commencement of the “Here For The Horse” campaign, whereby the Trust has challenged all clubs with a race meeting between August 1st and 10th to engage supporters and raise funds for this essential service. Canterbury Jockey Club have already made their mark, putting a tender on the $100,000 Synthetic Innovation Race sponsorship, with funds going directly to the Trust, while Auckland Trotting Club has also asked stakeholders for donations during three “Friday Night Lights” meetings, and at two Tuesday meetings at Cambridge Harness. “We wanted to kick off the fundraising appeal on the horse’s birthday, and hoped to get as many stakeholders involved in the racing industry as we could,” Starr said. “During the campaign period there are a couple of race meetings where the NZHAT silks will be used, these are Awapuni on the 9th and Te Rapa on the 10th. “We have asked some of the trainers to carry the silks with their best chance of the day at Te Rapa and donate $500 if their horse wins. Many have agreed whether they win or not, while Waikato Stud have generously offered to dollar-match this. “A lot of trainers have been very generous as often when their horses need assistance, they are the ones handling the aftermath, so they are very appreciative of this service. “Part of this campaign is raising awareness around what we do, and letting people know that we are a charity. Though we do get the bulk of our funding from the 1% welfare levy on stakes, we need to fundraise to cover depreciation and continue into the future. “For me it’s not like a job as I love the sport and we’re all here for the horses, which is what this campaign is all about.” Online platform gavelhouse.com will also be staging a fabulous selection of ‘unique experiences’ for auction with donations going to NZHAT, including a “taste’ of Cambridge Stud and Wairarapa’s Little Avondale Stud. In addition to the experiences on offer, LOVERACING.NZ is providing racing fans with an incredible opportunity to own two wonderful pieces of racing memorabilia while supporting the Trust’s winter appeal. Up for auction are two framed pairs of jockey breeches, signed by the legendary Glen Boss and Damien Oliver, following their exhibition gallop aboard Mufhasa and Bostonian at TAB Karaka Millions at Ellerslie. These will make a truly cherished collector’s item for any racing enthusiast, with all proceeds going to NZHAT. Check out the listings at gavelhouse.com: Bid for Bossy’s Breeches Grab the G.O.A.T’s Breeches If you can, please support the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust’s winter appeal to raise funds and awareness for their vital mahi. You can do so by clicking here to donate to NZHAT’s winter appeal. View the full article

Outstanding wet track performer Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) will carry his lightest weight for years when he takes aim at the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 127th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The evergreen performer will tackle the Riccarton feature for the third time, having finished fourth 12 months ago under 61kg and runner-up with 60kg in 2021. “He has travelled down better than last year and has eaten everything and has been working really well,” New Plymouth trainer and part-owner Allan Sharrock said. “It’s been a while since he went around with 56.5kg, he’s only three and a-half off the minimum.” The last time he won with less than 58kg was when he carried 55kg to victory in the 2021 Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) under rider Sam Weatherley, who will be reunited with the son of No Excuse Needed at Riccarton. Justaskme ran third three starts back in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) before he worked home late for fifth after tailing off over 1400m at Hastings. Last time out, he was sixth in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) which was relocated from its traditional venue on his home track to Hawera. “His run was solid at Wanganui after he got held up at the wrong time and in the Cup, it was a race that probably didn’t suit him as much as it would have at New Plymouth,” Sharrock said. “I was happy with him and his work on Monday before he left was very, very good and he worked super again on Thursday morning.” The winner of 12 of his 46 starts, Justaskme is coming toward the end of his career with limited future options for the rising 10-year-old. “There’s very little for him, he is quite effective as a jumper but nowadays I haven’t got the track riders and jumping riders at New Plymouth,” Sharrock said. “At one time we did, we had everyone here but they’ve gone so if you’re going to go down that road you’ve got to have the tools that Paul Nelson, Dummy (Kevin Myers) and Mark Oulaghan have got. “He’s a wet track horse and he’s won more than $500,000 so he’s been a great horse and if we could pull this one off it would be a nice prize at the end of it.” Sharrock is likely to keep Justaskme ticking over in the hope of ongoing rain-affected tracks. “I’ll probably keep him ticking over to see if they get a wet spring at Hastings, he ran second in the Livamol (Gr.1, 2040m) a couple of years ago when it was a bog,” he said. Sharrock will also have a number of runners at Hawera on Sunday and plumped for a stable newcomer as his best chance in the Peter Kuklinski Retirement (1200m). “Confetti has to run against a strong maiden, but she trialled well the other day. I got her off Peter and Dawn Williams when they retired,” he said. Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, the Ocean Park mare has raced three times and was runner-up at Te Rapa at her last appearance in May. View the full article

The South Island’s reigning champion stable will be out in force when the Grand National Carnival kicks off at Riccarton on Saturday. Michael and Matthew Pitman topped last season’s South Island trainers’ premiership with 54 wins, earning themselves a sixth-place finish overall on the national standings. The father-son duo will be represented by 10 runners on their home track on Saturday, including a three-pronged attack on the $45,000 Christchurch Casino 29th South Island Awards 13 September Open (1200m). That trio includes the nine-race winner Makabar (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who was a star of last year’s carnival with victories on both Saturdays. He won the 2023 equivalent of this race, beating Midnight Runner (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) and Benaud (NZ) (Duelled), then stepped down to Rating 75 company a week later and won again under 60kg. “He was really good in winning those two races during this carnival 12 months ago,” Michael Pitman said. “He’s going into it in good form again this year. I thought he finished his last race off very nicely (fourth at Oamaru on July 21). “He loves wet ground – the heavier, the better. Those are the sorts of conditions we’ll be racing on this weekend, so it’ll suit him.” Epee Beel (Epaulette) came of age as an autumn three-year-old, winning the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) after placing in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m). The daughter of Epaulette was a bold first-up winner in a 1200m Rating 75 at Ashburton on July 4. “I see the bookies have made her favourite for that open sprint on Saturday, so I hope they’re right,” Pitman said. “Realistically you would have to say she’s a strong chance. “Warren Kennedy was very impressed with her performance to win first-up over 1200m. That was a really good effort for a horse that got up over 1600m and 2000m in her last preparation. She’s staying at 1200m second-up on Saturday, but we’ve been very happy with her and we don’t see why she wouldn’t run well again.” The stable’s open sprint trio is rounded out by the 10-year-old Benaud, who will carry just 51kg with apprentice jockey Abdul Najib in the saddle. The Pitman team has Jetstream (NZ) (Ferrando) and Our Sallyann (Shamus Award) entered for the Prowess Selling Now on Gavelhouse Plus 3YO (1200m). “They’re both nice three-year-olds in the making,” Pitman said. “I’d probably slightly favour the filly (Our Sallyann) at this stage of their preparations, and I think track conditions will suit her better. “Having said that, the other horse is by Ferrando, who had a couple of stakes placegetters on heavy tracks during the winter. He was a duffer in the wet himself, but Rogie (Graeme Rogerson) told me that his progeny are handling those sorts of conditions a lot better than he ever did. “We might not be running them in this sort of race if it was somewhere like Dunedin, but we’ll have a go at it on our home track. We’ve run in this three-year-old race a number of times over the years and picked up a few wins, and I don’t think this field looks like the strongest edition of the race. Hopefully we can pick up some of the prizemoney.” Pitman believes there are solid chances throughout the 10-race card. “We’ve got a pretty handy team across the whole meeting on Saturday,” he said. “The Immigrant loves wet ground. The 1200m will be short enough on Saturday, but we decided to go to this race instead of 1600m because it gives us the option of backing up over 1400m next week. “Blanche is a tough, honest mare who’s working really well leading into Saturday. With Proserve, you can forget he ran last start – everything went wrong for him that day.” View the full article

Kenny Rae will start a new chapter in his training career on Saturday, with his successful term in partnership with daughter Krystal Williams having come to an end. Rae has been training since the late eighties, accumulating nearly 400 wins, with 132 of those coming since 2016/17 alongside Williams at Ruakaka. The latter more recently moved to her new base out of Burnham in Canterbury, ultimately sparking a desire to go out on her own. “She’s decided she wants to have a go on her own, she’s been good in partnership but it’s her idea and I support that,” Rae said. “It’s always been a family operation for me, I wouldn’t mind having my other daughter in with me or Lisa again if they wanted. Even if they aren’t working with the horses, they’re always helping with the kids on the farm or at the races. “I’ll still have horses of my own down there that she’ll look after for me. I’ve got 25 here and between my six or seven and her own, she’s got about 15 to 18, so we’ve still got plenty to do. “She will race The Buffer, he’s partly hers as when Richard Bishop passed away he gave him to us. I’m sure he’ll be happy to have her training him, he’ll give her a nice start as you always need one flagbearer going good races.” The Buffer (NZ) (Reliable Man) has been a consistent campaigner for the stable in both islands but has done majority of his racing in the South Island over the past couple of seasons, including wins in the Cromwell Cup (2030m), Ashburton Cup (1600m) and Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m). Back at Ruakaka, Rae is aiming for a strong season opener at his home course on Saturday, with eight runners representing the stable including Tide And Time (NZ) (Time Test) in the Truweld Engineering (1600m). The daughter of Time Test won the 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m) stylishly last start, and the form stacked up well in defeating impressive next-up winner Sterling Express. “I expected her to go well. Kelly Myers came in after she ran behind Dan Vegas and said she needed a mile, she was going really good races without finishing in the first three. She was making up that much ground,” Rae said. “She’s a lovely filly, it’s up a grade and against the older horses this time but her work has been good. “We’ll give her one shot and if it doesn’t work out she can have a break. We’ll make use of our home track while there are no expenses for our owners. “She’s got a handy draw again, so she should be very competitive.” Speedy mare Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) has accepted into the Alibaba’s Flying Carpets Kerikeri Cup (1100m), where she gets in at a light weight (54kg) courtesy of returning stars Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) and Master Fay (Deep Field) in the mix. “It’s a very good field, she’s got residual fitness and a light weight which is probably the only chance we have got of beating the two top weights,” Rae said. Almanzor filly Simsala (NZ) will commence her career in The Homestead Sports Bar & Bistro (1100m), while Rae also fancies the chances of Richie’s Dream (NZ) (Ace High) in the Kainui Pack & Cool (1600m). “I was very happy with her (Simsala) trial, she went from a reasonably dry track at Ruakaka to a heavy at Avondale and she did everything right,” Rae said. “I think she could go a sneaky race, she’s in her age group and it’s virtually a maiden race taking out the top two. I expect her to go okay, but not winning this time. “I think Richie’s Dream is a very good chance, she was very unlucky fresh-up not to run in the first three then was third last-start. Her work has been outstanding for her. “She was owned by Richard Bishop as well, and when he passed he gave me his half share so I got my sisters and brothers in the ownership. I’ll be either hero or zero because I’ve told them all to come to the races to watch.” Heart Of Alladin (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Mischief Managed (NZ) (Derryn) will both take their place in the 17 August – Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes (2100m), with Zlatna (NZ) (Proisir) and Electric Dream (NZ) (Shocking) completing the team in the Greg Thorpe Blasting & Kerikeri Tile Direct (1300m) and Aotea Electric In Waipapa (1200m) respectively. “Heart Of Alladin was always going to go over ground, to me it’s a race for him to be competitive in,” Rae said. “He’s got a reasonable draw, he’s a bit of an enigma but he’s got a two-year-old’s brain in a five-year-old’s body. I think he’ll develop into a really nice stayer eventually.” View the full article

What Coffs Harbour Cup Day 2024 Where Coffs Harbour Racing Club and Function Centre – 62 Howard St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 When Friday, August 2, 2024 First Race 12:29pm AEST Visit Dabble Country racing heads to the mid north coast of NSW on Friday afternoon, with the $150,000 Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) headlining a stacked eight-race program. The rail is in the true position the entire way around, and with nothing but sunny skies forecast in the lead-up, punters can expect the surface to dry out into the Good range prior to the opening event at 12:29pm local time. Coffs Harbour Cup Tip: En Francais En Francais got a pass mark first-up for the David Vandyke barn, hitting the line well at the Sunshine Coast on July 14. The daughter of Puissance De Lune got too far back in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) and was unable to show her usually stunning turn-of-foot on the Heavy 9 conditions. She’s got far superior form on top of the ground to go along with an impeccable second-up record of five starts for two wins and three placings, and provided she can get the gun run from barrier three this time, En Francais should be adding to that tally in the 2024 Coffs Harbour Cup. Coffs Harbour Cup Race 7 – #2 En Francais (3) 7yo Mare | T: David Vandyke | J: Ryan Maloney (56.5kg) Bet with Dabble Best Bet at Coffs Harbour: Jack Duggan Jack Duggan appears ready to peak third-up in the campaign. The Jason Deamer-trained gelding should’ve finished much closer in metro company at Canterbury on July 24 last time out, sitting towards the rear of the field and only getting clear in the final 200m. He was doing his best work late on that occasion, and with the step-up to 2000m ideal as he drops back into country grade, Jack Duggan should be testing this lot when asked for the ultimate effort. Best Bet Race 5 – #2 Jack Duggan (5) 7yo Gelding | T: Jason Deamer | J: Ashley Morgan (58.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best at Coffs Harbour: Cerons Cerons was outclassed last preparation when contesting the Group Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 2, but looks to be returning in supreme order after undergoing a gelding operation. He careered away to score by five lengths in a recent barrier trial at Scone on June 12, signifying he’d be ready for a first-up assault regardless of the destination. This country maiden looks like an ideal placement by the Brett Cavanough barn, and this guy only needs to find the front early under Cobi Vitler to be a major player in the finish. Next Best Race 4 – #1 Cerons (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Brett Cavanough | J: Cobi Vitler (a1.5) (61kg) Bet with Neds Friday quaddie tips for Coffs Harbour races Coffs Harbour quadrella selections Friday, August 2, 2024 2-3-5-8 1-6-11-12-13-14 1-2-6 1-2-4-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Belmont Races Where Belmont Racecourse – Saintly Entrance, Burswood WA 6100 When Saturday, August 3, 2024 First Race 12:29pm AWST Visit Dabble Belmont will host a very competitive nine-race program this Saturday afternoon, with racing set to kick off at 12:29pm AWST. The track was rated as a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances, and it is tipped to stay in that range. The rail will be pushed out to the +6m position for the entire circuit, so the track should play favourably to on-speed runners. Best Bet at Belmont: Triple Jay Triple Jay claimed his third win in four starts when defeating Allez Allez at this track and tip on July 13. The five-year-old gelding now steps up in grade, but as he is at peak fitness and in career-best form, he should handle the rise in class well. Brad Parnham will settle Triple Jay outside the leader before releasing the brakes and allowing him to unleash with a strong finish. Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Triple Jay (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | J: Brad Parnham (58kg) +140 with Neds Next Best at Belmont: Sentimental Belle William Pike sticks on Sentimental Belle as the mare chases a hat-trick of wins. Last start, this daughter of Nicconi settled near last and received a saloon passage up the inside rail to run over the leaders and win by 1.3 lengths over 1200m. Although she will rise in grade slightly and stay at 1200m, barrier one will only help the five-year-old’s chances. Next Best Race 7 – #8 Sentimental Belle (1) 5yo Mare | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: William Pike (56kg) +250 with PlayUp Best Value at Belmont: Border Force Border Force returned from a 17-month spell with a strong performance over 1100m at Northam, where the Sean & Jake Casey-trained gelding was eventually run down by Extreme Love. With that fresh run under his belt, this lightly raced six-year-old gelding will only improve second-up. If Chris Parnham can settle in the box seat and get into clear running at the 300m mark, Border Force can go one better. Best Value Race 4 – #6 Border Force (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Sean & Jake Casey | J: Chris Parnham (56.5kg) +700 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Belmont races Belmont quadrella selections Saturday, August 3, 2024 1-3-4-5 1-7-8-11 2-4-5 2-6-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, August 3, 2024 First Race 11:38am AEST Visit Dabble Racing returns to Doomben this Saturday afternoon as the Brisbane Racing Club hosts a very competitive nine-race program. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, but with no rain forecast for the rest of the week, a Good 4 surface is expected for the whole meeting. The rail will be pushed out to the +4.5m position for the entire circuit, with the first race scheduled to jump at 11:38am AEST. Best Bet at Doomben: Atmosphere After claiming a strong win on stable debut for Jack Bruce, Atmosphere was run down late over 1350m at this track in his most recent start. Angela Jones allowed this son of Lonhro to roll along out in front, but when she asked him for the ultimate effort, he couldn’t go with the top two. Dropping back to 1200m and Jones retaining the ride are both positives, and with even luck, Atmosphere can return to the winners’ circle. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Atmosphere (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Jack Bruce | J: Angela Jones (60kg) +240 with PlayUp Next Best at Doomben: Rockribbed Rockribbed returns to Brisbane after receiving a torrid run in the Rockhampton Newmarket last start, where the Tony Gollan-trained gelding was caught wide for the entire 1300m journey. This son of Night Of Thunder heads to Doomben for the first time and gains the services of Ryan Maloney. From barrier two, Rockribbed can settle behind the speed, peel off the leader’s heels at the 400m mark, and finish off strongly over 1350m. Next Best Race 8 – #9 Rockribbed (2) 7yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Ryan Maloney (58.5kg) +220 with Neds Best Value at Doomben: Jayanthi Jayanthi returned from a 19-week spell at this track and trip on July 13, rattling home from the back of the field to finish second behind Liquor. This daughter of Hinchinbrook has strong second-up form (4:2-0-0), while the abundance of speed in this field should suit her get-back-and-run-on racing style. If Boris Thornton can find a back to follow around the home turn, Jayanthi’s blistering turn of foot will give her every chance at good each-way odds with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 3 – #14 Jayanthi (7) 6yo Mare | T: Matthew Hoysted | J: Boris Thornton (56.5kg) +700 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Doomben races Doomben quadrella selections Saturday, August 3, 2024 1-2-7-11 1-2-3-8 5-9-17 6-7-8-12-18 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Bob Baffert-trained Adare Manor has won seven graded stakes, two in 2024, and is going for a second consecutive Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) victory.View the full article

While trainer Todd Pletcher was hesitant to commit Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) winner Fierceness to the Aug. 24 Midsummer Derby immediately after the race, an injury that has sidelined stablemate Mindframe appears to have changed that perspective.View the full article

Authoring an encore might be an impossible mission for Cogburn. Let's face it, when you set a North American record in your last start, that's a pretty tough bar to top.View the full article

The Finalists for the 2024 Two Year Old of the Year are: Bellatrix Star Captured By Love Move To Strike Velocious Which one deserves to win? Using a graduated process of elimination - firstly: By Race Performance - Race Wins: Bellatrix Star - All 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th U Prizemoney Career 5 2 1 1 1 0 0 $207,700.00 Captured By Love - All 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th U Prizemoney Career 6 4 0 2 0 0 0 $335,735.00 Move To Strike - All 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th U Prizemoney Career 4 2 1 0 0 1 0 $340,250.00 Velocious - All 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th U Prizemoney Career 6 4 0 1 0 0 1 $922,500.00 Based on race wins it is a tie between Captured By Love and Velocious on 4 wins with Bellatrix Star and Move To Strike on 2 wins each. Although Move To Strike won a Grp 1 arguably both he and Bellatrix Start could be eliminated at this stage. So that leaves Captured By Love and Velocious. By Black Type Performance Captured By Love - All Grp 1 Grp 2 Grp 3 Listed Restricted Listed Unplaced 5 starts 2 x 3rd 2 x 1st 1 x 1st - - 0 Velocious - All Grp 1 Grp 2 Grp 3 Listed Restricted Listed Unplaced 5 starts 1 x 1st 1 x 3rd 0 1 x 1st 1 x 1st 1 Velocious won the Grp 1 Sistema (Captured By Love - 3rd) and the Karaka Millions which is a good argument for her to win the award. However the Karaka Millions is a Restricted Listed race which Captured By Love was ineligible to race in. So would a points system be fairer? The NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year Points System (Note no points for Listed races) RACE TYPE FIRST SECOND THIRD Group 1 12 7 3.5 Group 2 8 4 2 Group 3 6 3 1.5 Captured By Love - All Grp 1 Grp 2 Grp 3 Total 5 starts Points 2 x 3rd 7 2 x 1st 16 1 x 1st 6 - 29 Velocious - All Grp 1 Grp 2 Grp 3 Total 5 starts Points 1 x 1st 12 1 x 3rd 6 0 0 - 18 That gives it to Captured By Love by the near equivalent of 1 Group win at 11 points in front. A System Including the Restricted Listed Race Perhaps that used to determine the Owner of the Year Award. Owner of The Year Award Points are allocated as follows: RACE TYPE FIRST SECOND THIRD Group 1 12 8 6 Group 2 10 6 4 Group 3 9 5 3 RACE TYPE FIRST SECOND THIRD Listed 8 4 2 Maiden 1 Horse Total Points Captured By Love 42 Velocious 33 Again Captured By Love by 9 points nearly the equivalent of a Grp 1 win. If you subtract the Restricted Listed Win points from Velocious the margin is even greater 25 vs 42. Other Factors to Consider: Travel Velocious won at - Ellerslie (2), Te Rapa and Pukekohe Captured By Love at - Trentham, New Plymouth, Matamata and Tauherenikau. Points win to Captured By Love. Most Impressive Performance Velocious - probably her Karaka Millions win. Captured By Love - the Wakefield Stakes in a race record time for the 1100m of 1:02.46. A sectional between the 400m and 200m of 10.29 left the field gasping and she cruised to the line untouched. Conclusion: On most counts it is a clear points win to Captured by Love. The most consistent 2yr old at the top level. Using a fair points based system favoured by the NZ Bloodstock or NZTR and she is a clear winner.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the GI Travers Stakes three times, could be going for No. 4 in this year's Midsummer Derby Baffert, speaking from his summer base at Del Mar in California, said that one of his 3-year-olds–Parenting (Justify) or Muth (Good Magic) who were both tabbed as 'TDN Rising Stars'–could represent him in the $1.25 million race at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 24. “Potentially,” he said. Parenting, owned by Wathnan Racing, was a $750,000 purchase at the 2023 Ocala 2-year-olds in training sale. He has won all three of his starts, including the listed Affirmed Stakes and an allowance last Sunday where he won by a neck in a race for 3-year-olds and up. “This is a very good horse,” Baffert said. “I was very impressed with what he did. We missed the window with the (GI) Haskell and, luckily, this race was in the book. He got a good education. He could have gotten beat. They double teamed him from everywhere and he handled it well.” Unraced as a 2-year-old, Parenting has won all three of his starts. The allowance race was a mile. The Affirmed Stakes, which he won by 7 1/2 lengths, was 1 1/16 miles and his maiden score, which saw him face 10 rivals, produced a 2 3/4-length victory. “I am not going to rule it out,” Baffert said of the Travers. “Let's see how he comes out it. We have the Travers, we have the (GI) Pacific Classic. And we also have Muth.” Parenting has never raced outside of California; Muth has. Muth hasn't been seen since winning the GI Arkansas Derby on March 30. He was the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the GI Preakness Stakes but was scratched the Wednesday before the race at Pimlico when he spiked a fever. Baffert said it took a while for Muth, owned by Zedan Racing Stables Inc., to recover. “He was really sick,” Baffert said. “We had to keep him on antibiotics for two weeks before he fully got over it. He is getting back slowly. The endgame for both of these horses is that I want them to be ready for the Breeders' Cup. They will let me know when they are ready to roll.” Baffert won the Travers in 2001 with Point Given, 2016 with Arrogate and 2017 with West Coast. He has run three horses since then with Mucho Gusto's third place finish in 2019 the best. He was fifth last year with National Treasure, who is running in Saturday's GI Whitney Stakes. Pletcher Has A Trio For Saturday's Whitney Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher will have three chances to win Saturday's GI Whitney Stakes for a record-tying fifth time. Bright Future | Sarah Andrew Bright Future (Curlin), Crupi (Curlin) and 'TDN Rising Star' Charge It (Tapit) will be in the starting gate for Pletcher, who last won the prestigious race for older horses in 2022 with Life Is Good. His other Whitney wins came in 2013 (Cross Traffic), 2007 (Lawyer Ron) and 2002 (Left Bank). John M. Gaver Sr. holds the record for most Whitney victories with five. Bright Future looks to have the best chance of getting Pletcher to the winner's circle as he is 5-1 third choice on the Whitney morning line behind National Treasure (Quality Road, 9-5) and First Mission (Street Sense, 9-2). Bright Future, owned by Repole Stable, has won both of his career starts at Saratoga, including the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup last year. He then finished sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic–beaten 3 3.4 lengths–and then was not seen until last month. He won the GIII Salvatore Mile Stakes at Monmouth by 1 3/4 lengths. “He showed last year that he is a legitimate Grade I horse,” Pletcher said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. “He didn't seem to fire his 'A' race in the Breeders' Cup for whatever reason. I think he fits with the top of the division. I like the way he has trained since (the Salvator Mile) and he seems to like this track. Hopefully he has another move forward in him.” Giddings Savors First Training Win At Saratoga The first one is always the most special. Or so they say. Melanie Giddings, in her second full year as a trainer, finally got to the winner's circle at Saratoga when Scaramanga (Munnings) won Sunday's eighth race, a $30,000 claimer, by a length. It was her first win in 16 career starts at Saratoga spanning two seasons. Melanie Giddings with Gordo | Sarah Andrew “That race was a lot of fun,” Giddings said Wednesday morning at her barn on the Oklahoma Training Track. “There was really no pressure. I own half the horse and we were kind of a longshot (13-1). I thought he had been doing better and, he obviously showed that.” Scaramanga, a 3-year-old New York-bred gelding, was claimed after the race and is now in the barn of trainer Jimmy Ferraro. “That's OK,” Giddings said with a smile. “That's the game.” Giddings was the trainer of Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic), who tragically broke down in the shadow of the wire in last year's GI Test Stakes on Whitney weekend. Giddings, of course, still holds a soft spot in her heart for the brave Maple Leaf Mel, but life moves on. She has 18 horses at Saratoga and another 14 at Belmont Park. And now she has her first winner. What made it even more special was Scaramanga was ridden by her boyfriend, jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. It was his first win at the Spa since Break Even won the Coronation Cup Stakes on July 14, 2019. He had had just 18 mounts over the last two seasons before Sunday's win. “I never found a winner's circle that wasn't special,” Bridgmohan said, smiling, at the barn. “It was even better having Shaun up,” Giddings said. “I don't ever worry when he rides a horse for me. He has had plenty of winners here in the past. He is still a very good rider; he just doesn't ride a lot.” Giddings had two runners on Wednesday's card but was not able to duplicate Sunday. She'll keep trying. “This is a tough place for anybody,” she said. “It doesn't matter … jocks, trainers … it's hard to win here. It was nice to finally get it off my back.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Travers Might Have A Baffert Flavor To It appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three jockeys were transported to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis following an incident in the sixth race Wednesday, July 30 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The jockeys involved were Yarmarie Correa, Marcelino Pedroza Jr. and Santo Sanjur. Willadean, ridden by Sanjur, fell heading into the first turn, causing two trailing horses, Jack's Summer and Pedroza Jr., and Band of Roses, ridden by Correa, to also fall. All horses returned to their feet and were caught by the outriders following the incident. As a result of the incident, Race 6 was canceled with the remaining starters pulling up before the finish line. Additional ambulances and support staff were called in from the Shelbyville City Fire Department to assist with transportation to Methodist Hospital. The remaining races on the program continued after a short delay at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The post Jockeys Transported to Hospital Following Incident at Horseshoe Indianapolis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article