Wandering Eyes

Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler will be represented on both islands in the coming days, starting with Wingatui on Friday where he will line-up a trio of runners. He will have a two-pronged attack in the Grand Casino 75 1600 courtesy of last start placegetters Classic Diva (NZ) (Proisir) and Zambezi Zipper (NZ) (Highly Recommended), and he is hoping the former can step up in particular on Friday. “Classic Diva has disappointed because she looks good and works really well but on raceday she just doesn’t step up how we think she should,” Tyler said. “We have taken the blinkers off and hopefully that is going to change a bit for her. She probably wants the track a bit better there (rated a Soft6 on Thursday morning), we haven’t had a lot of rain here, but it is only a small field and it’s a winnable race for her I think.” Tyler will also line-up Vamos (NZ) (Vadamos) in the Ray Kean – Property Brokers 65 1600. “Vamos just over-raced over 2000m at Riccarton so we have brought him back to a mile,” he said. “He is working well and looks good. I think he is a strong miler at this stage, even though he will get over ground eventually.” Meanwhile, further north at Trentham on Saturday, stablemates Lightning Jack (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Prince Alby (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will contest the John Cryan 2200, with the Heavy track Tyler’s biggest concern. “Lightning Jack looked a bit dour last week,” he said. “He seems as bright as can be this week. I am a bit worried of how deep the track is going to be at Trentham, I am just going to go for a drive tomorrow (Friday) and see how the track is. “He is a horse that likes to get out in the open spaces. He is only a small horse, but he is a big striding horse, so he needs plenty of clear air. It’s not a big field, so there should be plenty of room. “Prince Alby in my eyes should of won the Rotorua Cup (Listed, 2200m), he still hasn’t seen daylight. I am really happy with him, he looks magnificent and has been working really well. He won’t mind the track, so he will be a good chance.” Tyler has enjoyed campaigning in the north and said they may have one final run before returning south. “We will just take it race-by-race,” he said. “There is another nice staying race at Otaki in a couple of weeks’ time, so we might hang around for that.” View the full article

Courtney Barnes is on track for a career-best season in the saddle and continued her winning roll with a double at Taupo on Wednesday. Originally commencing her career in the South Island, Barnes has surpassed the 30-win mark twice before, first as an apprentice in 2012/13 and last term where she accumulated 39 and a pair of stakes winners. Heading to Taupo, Barnes was sitting on 33, and she saluted in her opening ride of the meeting, guiding Irish Miss (NZ) (Savabeel) to break maiden status in the Kingsclere Stables / Roger James / Robert Wellwood (1750m). The Stephen Marsh-trained daughter of Savabeel had been a $14 chance on the TAB tote, but jumped efficiently to settle in the box-seat trailing Short (NZ) (Savabeel), receiving the ideal split into the home straight. The filly hit the front at the 150m, and fended off race-favourites The Sky Above (American Pharoah) and Ever Charm (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) to score by a neck. Barnes had partnered Irish Miss at each of her two prior starts, and was pleasantly surprised by the three-year-old’s speed from the barrier. “We thought she might be ridden midfield or further back, but she jumped so well that she’s put herself right there,” she said. “She travelled a lot better, got through the ground well and really found the line nicely.” After initially being sold to Rogerson Bloodstock for $140,000 at the 2022 Karaka Yearling Sales, Irish Miss was reoffered at breeder Sir Patrick Hogan’s Unreserved Dispersal Sale and changed hands to co-owner James Bruford for $14,000. Barnes was back in the winner’s circle three races later aboard another of Marsh’s representatives, the more-fancied Lovaci (NZ) (Tivaci), who was the $4.50 second-favourite for the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1300m). Unlike the race-favourite Saluto (NZ) (Ardrossan), who jumped five lengths last, Lovaci went straight to the head of the field and maintained a solid tempo through the mid-stages, and never let up the pressure as she opened up by four lengths in the straight. Saluto put in a sustained effort to get within a ¾ length of the Tivaci filly, but she hung tough and collected her maiden success at start four. “I’ve had a bit to do with Lovaci, and she’s been a work progress at home so it was good to see her get the job done today,” Barnes said. “She was really nice and relaxed in front, and she was tough to hold onto the win. It was a really good effort.” Lovaci was a $280,000 purchase by Marsh at the 2022 Karaka Yearling Sales, with her dam Lovaeable (NZ) (Savabeel) a half-sister to multiple-Group One winner and ill-fated sire Sacred Falls. Waikato-based Barnes was one of three jockeys to claim a winning double on the card, with Opie Bosson (Sorghaghtani (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) & Incredible (NZ) )Almanzor)) and Sam Spratt (Washi (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) & Did The Trick (NZ) (Iffraaj)) also picking up a pair of winners at Taupo. She has six and seven rides at Trentham and Wingatui respectively later in the week, with Robbie Patterson’s Group Three performer Conor O’Ceirin (NZ) (Dial A Prayer) a key engagement in the Majestic Horse Floats 1400. “I’m really looking forward to riding Conor O’Ceirin at Wellington,” she said. View the full article

Superb Capitalist surges clear of Gummy Gummy. Bidding for a remarkable eighth win in the HK$13 million Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 May), Tony Cruz laid down a timely marker for this weekend’s feature with Superb Capitalist’s victory at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (22 May). Ridden confidently by Matthew Chadwick, Superb Capitalist slotted his fourth course and distance victory with success in the Class 2 Wiltshire Handicap (1200m) to provide Cruz with his 45th win of the season and momentum for the final Group 1 of the Hong Kong season. Preparing to saddle La City Blanche and Five G Patch in the Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup, Cruz said: “This horse is very consistent and he likes this track. “I’m going to bring him back here again for another race.” With five wins from 16 starts, the Capitalist four-year-old earned a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million as well as HK$1.59 million in prizemoney. Dennis Yip, who will start Massive Sovereign in the staying feature at the weekend, also figured prominently tonight with Lean Master’s victory. Searching for his first Group 1, Yip has already forged new territory this season with Massive Sovereign’s stunning Hong Kong Derby (2000m) triumph on 24 March and he was delighted with Lean Master’s effort to lead throughout under Harry Bentley to win the first section of the Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1200m), the gelding’s first course and distance victory of the campaign. “The horse is in very good form and everything was good for him tonight. He’s a front runner and it was difficult to catch up from behind,” Yip said of the bay, who sped straight to the front from barrier one. “He had the speed, good form and he keeps improving. He’s from Europe and he’s only a four-year-old so I think he can keep improving and go up to Class 3.” Midori Glory made a successful debut for Ricky Yiu, clinching the Class 3 Renfrew Handicap (1000m) for Matthew Poon. The Shooting To Win three-year-old won twice in Australia – at Goulburn and Taree – for Greg Hickman before export to Hong Kong and collected a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million with tonight’s triumph as well as HK$1.04 million in prizemoney. “The draw helped him first time here, but I didn’t worry about the sharp turns because in the morning he can cope with everything,” Yiu said. “He’s acclimatised really well and Shooting To Win is a good sire for Hong Kong. The owner bought him as a yearling. “Eventually he will step up to 1200m, but I think 1000m is good at the moment. Whether it’s here or Sha Tin it doesn’t matter.” Cody Mo notched his 15th win of the campaign with Romantic Laos’ tenacious performance to land the Class 3 Selkirk Handicap (1650m) for Derek Leung after Arthur’s Kingdom struck at his 26th start in Hong Kong to claim the Chester Handicap (2200m) for Me Tsui under Karis Teetan. Now seven, the Camelot gelding was runner-up as a two-year-old in the 2019 Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (2000m) when trained by Aidan O’Brien. Until tonight, the gelding had finished in the top-three only once in Hong Kong. Teetan made it a double with Forever Glorious’ tough win in the Class 4 St George’s Challenge Cup Handicap (1650m) as Francis Lui moved to 57 wins for the term, only two shy of Pierre Ng (59) with 14 meetings left in the season. Michael Chang took his season tally of wins to 14 with three-year-old New Power’s success under Keith Yeung in third section of the Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1200m) before Danny Shum-trained Satirical Fan controlled the tempo from the outset and fought courageously to land the Class 4 Lancashire Handicap (1650m) to provide Ellis Wong his 20th victory of the season. Shum completed a brace when The Perfect Match snatched a short-head victory over Telecom Speed in the second section of the Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1200m) under Hugh Bowman. “He had natural pace which is a good help here and he’s only lightly-raced so there’s certainly plenty of upside to him,” Bowman said of the Complacent three-year-old. “He showed plenty of courage.” Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday with the running of the HK$13 million Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m). Horse racing news View the full article

Following a close second in the April 27 Roxelana Overnight Stakes in her 2024 debut, Juddmonte's Dazzling Blue seeks her first graded stakes victory in the $250,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) May 27 at Churchill Downs.View the full article

For the Godolphin runners trainer Charlie Appleby sends to the United States, the results are no longer automatic.View the full article

Seize the Grey's victory in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course was cause for celebration not just among his 2,570 MyRacehorse owners, but for the father/daughter team that has been with him throughout.View the full article

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Before Santa Anita Park stages five graded stakes races May 26-27, topped by Monday's Gamely Stakes (G1T) and Shoemaker Mile (G1T), the stakes emphasis is on California-breds May 25.View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has plenty to look forward to at next month's Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, with at least five trainees eyeing stakes engagements during the lucrative weekend. Juddmonte homebred Batten Down (Tapit) is the latest addition to the prospective field for the GI Belmont S. with Mott confirming the 10-furlong test is next. “I don't know if he'll get in or not–he's only broken his maiden,” said Mott. At fourth asking Apr. 30 at Aqueduct, the full-brother to the Mott-trained MGISP and current sire Tacitus drew off for an 8 3/4-length victory and was awarded a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. “It was a spectacular ride by Junior Alvarado,” said Mott. “We were pleased to find out he handled the distance well.” Batten Down worked Monday over Saratoga Race Course's Oklahoma dirt training track, covering five-eighths in 1:02.55 with Alvarado at the helm. “He'll be in with a different group of horses, but the pace is usually different going a mile and a quarter than a mile and a sixteenth, so that leaves him closer [in longer routes] than the other types of races,” said Mott. “It [the workout] was beautiful, and Junior worked him like poetry in motion. It was a beautiful piece of work.” Krikorian's Colors At Saratoga George Krikorian's Just F Y I (Justify) will be nominated to the GI DK Horse Acorn S. June 7 after a runner-up effort behind Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the GI Kentucky Oaks. The homebred had her first work back since the Oaks with a bullet half-mile solo in :47 flat on Monday. “Yes, she was [sharp],” Mott said. “I think she'll have a great year.” Also slated to make an appearance upstate is Krikorian's War Like Goddess, who returned to the work tab on Friday for the first time since scratching from the GIII Bewitch Apr. 26 at Keeneland. The daughter of English Channel withdrew from the race due to a cut on her leg, but returned to breeze a half-mile in :49.49 Friday. Mott said the GI New York S. June 7 is the likely next target, but expressed his concern that the distance may prove too short for the expert marathoner. “She's doing well,” said Mott. “I guess the New York. It's not her distance. I wish we had a race at the proper distance for her.” Casa Creed | Sarah Andrew No Jaipur For Casa Creed MGISW Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) has contested the GI Jaipur for three straight years–and won in 2022–but will skip it in favor of the GIII Poker S. The Jaipur was shortened by a half-furlong from its traditional six-furlong distance this year, leaving it at a distance the 8-year-old Jimmy Creed horse has contested just once in his 35-start career–a ninth in the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Casa Creed was last seen finishing sixth in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse in March. “It was probably a wasted trip,” said Mott. “We're looking at the Poker.” While Casa Creed is out of the Jaipur, Mott will likely still be represented by stakes winner Sosua Summer (Summer Front). The 5-year-old looks to rebound from an off-the-board finish last out in the GII Shakertown S. at Keeneland Apr. 6. “I can't make any big excuses,” Mott said of the Shakertown. “He just didn't really fire.” The post Mott Stable Preps For Belmont Stakes Racing Festival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features the return of a half-brother to the outstanding Frankel (GB). 20.12 Sandown, Listed, £45,000, 3yo, 8fT KIKKULI (GB) (Kingman {GB}) takes his chance in this Listed Chasemore Farm Stud Staff Heron S., which has come to serve as a key staging post en route to the G1 St James's Palace S. in recent times. Juddmonte's Alex Scott Maiden winner at Newmarket's Craven meeting is hot property as a half-brother to Frankel (GB) and his G1 Champion S.-winning full-brother Noble Mission (GB) and trainer Harry Charlton will be hoping for more encouragement here. 17.13 ParisLongchamp, Listed, €55,000, 3yo, f, 9fT BAUHINIA (IRE) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) has not been seen since doubling her tally in September, having earned TDN Rising Star status on her debut when taking a mile debutantes affair here the previous month. Some water has flowed under the bridge subsequently, suggesting Godolphin's homebred is one of the better of Andre Fabre's 3-year-olds and the G1 Prix de Diane entry gets the chance to underline that in this Listed Prix Finlande. The post Frankel’s Half-Brother Heads To The Heron appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Minella Premier (Ire) (Shantou) (lot 498) topped the first day of the Goffs UK Spring HIT/PTP Sale at Doncaster on Wednesday. Consigned by Minella Racing, the 4-year-old gelding went to Jerry McGrath and Nicky Henderson for £400,000. Related to Grade 2 chase winner Function Dream (Ire) (Strong Gale {Ire}), he won his debut at Ballindenisk by 12 lengths. Another to break £200,000 was Dawn Miss (Ire) (Malinas {Ger}) (lot 486), who sold to Laura Morgan for £220,000. The Monbeg Stables graduate, a full to Listed December H. Hurdle winner Booster Bob (Ire), has a win from two starts to her name. Rounding out the top three lots was lot 497, Coumeenoole (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}), a member of the Jonathan Fogarty Racing draft. Gerry Hogan Bloodstock and Paul Nolan Racing shelled out £180,000 for the bay gelding, who won his only start at Ballindenisk earlier this month. His dam, the Old Vic (GB) mare Madam Bovary (Ire), won the G1 Aon Novice H. Chase. The gross was a new record for the first day of this portion of the sale, coming in at £6,813,000. Of the 218 lots sold from 273 offered (80%), 13 made £100,000 or more. The average rose 1% to £31,253 and the median was unchanged at £20,000. The post Minella Premier Tops First Day Of Goffs UK Doncaster Spring HIT/PTP Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual graded stakes-winner Dornoch (Good Magic) is preparing at Saratoga Race Course for a potential start in the June 8 running of the GI Belmont S. “He loves it here,” said trainer Danny Gargan. “He'll probably work Friday–we'll get a solid work in him over the Oklahoma.” Dornoch was last seen finishing a troubled 10th in the GI Kentucky Derby where he drew the rail and was shuffled back at the half-mile call. He checked again at the quarter pole before running evenly down the lane. The bay colt posted back-to-back graded victories in the GII Remsen S. in December at Aqueduct, and in the GII Fountain of Youth S. in March at Gulfstream Park. He entered the Derby from a fourth-place finish in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. in April at Keeneland. “Dornoch is shooting for the Belmont,” said Gargan. “He had a rough trip in the Derby and had no shot a hundred yards in.” The post Dornoch To Shoot For GI Belmont S. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The treasured Gomez Award is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised, or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to Thoroughbred racing.View the full article

Juddmonte's Kentucky homebred Batten Down is the latest addition to the prospective field for the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1).View the full article

The race typically is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., however the famed racetrack currently is undergoing a massive renovation, and that construction forced the race to be moved to upstate New York for two years (2024 and 2025).View the full article

While it is four months away, the connections of Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Seize the Grey and Dinner Party (G3T) winner Balnikhov are excited about the possibility of running for $7.5 million in bonus money come the Sept. 28 California Crown.View the full article

Gunnar Lindberg has been named the 2024 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. The award is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to Thoroughbred racing. It is named in memory of the Cuban-born Gomez, who died of complications after a three-horse accident in the 1980 Canadian Oaks. “I was quite surprised,” said Lindberg, who recorded 997 career riding wins, including 70 stakes. “Julie Bell [Woodbine's Senior Manager of Stakes Department and US & Foreign Horsemen's Services], who I have known for a long time, was the one to tell me, which meant a lot. “I also rode with Avelino, which makes this that much more special. He was a mentor for me. When I won my first race, he led the charge on my initiation.” His father, Herb Lindberg, was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1991. His grandfather, Joe Cowley, also had a successful run as a jockey, including his triumphs with multiple stakes winner Joey Bomber. “When I was 16, I quit school and went to work for [trainer] Art Warner and Sam-Son Farm, which he started from scratch,” he said. “My first stakes winner was Runnin Roman, who was one of Sam-Son's favourite horses at the time. I also won the Grand Slam Handicap on Sam-Son's Instead of Roses at Arlington.” Lindberg also rode Blushing Katy (Blushing Groom {Fr}), who was named Canada's Champion 3-year-old Filly for 1989. Lindberg, who would ride at 30 racetracks, also enjoyed a successful run in the U.S. “I was lucky enough to ride for [trainer] King Leatherbury in Maryland. Bill Passmore, who was his first call, helped get me into King's barn. Those were eight great years in Maryland. I was fortunate enough to also do well at Gulfstream the year I was there, which was riding for Kinghaven.” The post Lindberg Named 2024 Avelino Gomez Award Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Great Yarmouth's £40,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' S. witnessed the 'TDN Rising Star' display of Jane Chapple-Hyam representative Born To Rock (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}) last year and the extended five-furlong dash played host to another as Cheveley Park Stud's homebred 2-year-old filly Spherical (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}–Spatial {GB}, by New Approach {Ire}) powered to an impressive success in this year's renewal. In winning, she provided her second-crop sire with a third Rising Star in five days. Spherical, debuting in a field reduced by half to just three contenders, stalked both rivals in third through halfway. Easing into the clear for her bid approaching the quarter-mile marker, the 10-11 favourite was shaken up to seize control entering the final furlong and lengthened clear under minimal urging to easily outclass Never Forget You (Ire) (No Nay Never) by an impressive 3 1/4 lengths. Spherical is the latest of three live foals, all winners, produced by a winning full-sister to Listed Newmarket S. third Inigo Jones (GB). The March-foaled bay's dam Spatial (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) is also a half-sister to Listed Foundation S. victor and G3 Darley S. runner-up Gabr (GB) (Intello {Ger}). Spherical's second dam is G2 May Hill S. and G2 Windsor Forest S. victrix Spacious (GB) (Nayef), who placed five times at Group 1 level. Spacious, in turn, is a half-sister to GII King Edward S., GII Connaught Cup and GII Play The King S. victor Dimension (GB) (Medicean {GB}), and hails from the family of Grade II-winning sire Exchange Rate (Danzig). 3rd-Great Yarmouth, £40,000, Mdn, 5-22, 2yo, f, 5f 34yT, 1:04.73, g/s. SPHERICAL (GB), f, 2, by Blue Point (Ire) 1st Dam: Spatial (GB), by New Approach (Ire) 2nd Dam: Spacious (GB), by Nayef 3rd Dam: Palatial (GB), by Green Desert Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $26,202. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Roger Varian; J-James Doyle. Lovely debut! Spherical impresses winning easily first time out at @GTYarmouthRaces for @varianstable and James Doyle… pic.twitter.com/TtDJ1RRJmZ — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 22, 2024 The post Spherical Another TDN Rising Star For Blue Point at Great Yarmouth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The much-missed Arrogate continues to add 'Saturday afternoon horses' to his tally with his final crop. Seize the Grey captured Saturday's GI Preakness S., giving Arrogate a second Classic winner in just three crops. A Kentucky Oaks winner in his first crop. A Belmont and Travers winner in his second. A Preakness winner in his third. Three additional Grade I winners, two of them at age two. Like a streaking star, Arrogate's racing career blazed brilliantly–leaving all who witnessed it in awe–and now his all-too-brief stud career is doing the same. “It's what you expect of brilliant horses and brilliant mares,” said Garrett O'Rourke, general manager of Juddmonte Farms USA, the organization that both campaigned Arrogate and stood him at stud. “If they don't produce horses somewhat like themselves, you'd be disappointed and somewhat surprised. You can't take anything for granted with horses, but when you breed the best to the best, that's the way it's supposed to work.” While Arrogate will be remembered as a tremendous sire, he didn't necessarily start off that way. When his first crop debuted at the races in 2021, it took until September of that year to get his first winner. He closed his freshman year with 13 winners and nary a splash in stakes company. It was a respectable beginning, but he didn't set the world on fire. Had expectations been too high? It's not always that extraordinary horses are able to replicate themselves. If it were that easy, this game would be simple. It turns out Arrogate made it simpler than most. Just as Arrogate himself did, his foals just needed a little time. Remembering Arrogate from Thoroughbred Daily News on Vimeo. As a refresher, the son of Unbridled's Song–purchased by Juddmonte from breeder Clearsky Farms's consignment at the 2014 Keeneland September sale for $560,000–didn't debut until April of his sophomore season. A stuck-in-traffic third at Los Alamitos, he reappeared in June at Santa Anita with a 4 1/2-length win good for 'TDN Rising Star' status. He wouldn't lose again that year, throwing down the gauntlet with one of the most scintillating GI Travers S. in history. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, he still holds Saratoga's 1 1/4-mile track record of 1:59.36, just as he still holds Gulfstream's 1 1/8-mile track record of 1:46.83 from his performance the next year in the GI Pegasus World Cup. In between those two records, he captured the GI Breeders' Cup Classic and the 3-year-old Eclipse championship. If that wasn't enough, any rewatch of his spectacular last-to-first G1 Dubai World Cup victory–considered by many to be his finest race–is sure to send tingles up the spine. Although he didn't win again after Dubai, his tenure at the top was dazzling. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. Arrogate retired to Juddmonte at the end of his 4-year-old campaign with an initial advertised fee of $75,000 for 2018. His first book–announced as limited to 142 mares–included 30 Grade I winners or producers. It was a spectacular start, but he would be gone before that first crop made it to the races. As has been well documented, Arrogate was struck suddenly with an undetermined illness in late May of 2020. It began with a sore neck; in a matter of days he was unable to stand. Every effort was made to save him until he was humanely euthanized in early June. He was only seven. “It was totally confounding to us at the time,” said O'Rourke. “The autopsy showed he had a core lesion in his spinal cord; it's very difficult to explain how it got there. He was an extremely hyperactive horse, a very sweet horse, but full of energy. He was always bucking, gyrating, twisting, turning. Whatever the cause, there was no recovering from it. I've never spoken to anyone who saw anything like it. “[Losing him] was the hardest and toughest pill to swallow. We're glad we had him and enjoyed every minute we had him. Hopefully we'll continue the legacy going forward.” The year after his death, in 2021, his first crop had that slower-than-hoped start. It was a temporary hitch in his legacy which would soon be rectified. In a hint of what was to come, on New Year's Day in 2022, Arrogate's freshly minted 3-year-olds broke through the stakes ceiling with Alittleloveandluck capturing the Ginger Brew S. at Gulfstream. The late stallion would close the year with four Grade I winners, equaled that year by Gun Runner and American Pharoah. Among all North American sires in 2022, only Curlin would have more. Seize the Grey | Horsephotos “What he's done now is what you'd expect of a horse of his caliber, like Frankel (GB) on the other side [of the Atlantic],” said O'Rourke. “Brilliant stallions don't always work out that way.” With his final crop now three, Arrogate has had 227 starters from his 325 foals. His black-type winners number 22 to date, while his graded winners are currently at 13. That gives him an excellent statistic of 10% stakes winners from starters. He's had four runners tabbed as 'TDN Rising Stars'. And he may not be done yet. “Something interesting in his stock is a lot of the good ones came out of his third year,” said O'Rourke. “Perhaps people learn the type that works with each successive crop. I've not seen Seize the Grey up close, but while Arcangelo is maybe not as big as the sire, you can definitely see some similarity in the physical type.” Also intriguing is that of Arrogate's 13 graded winners, four are out of A.P. Indy-line mares, three are out of Raise a Native-line mares, and three are out of Northern Dancer-line mares. The final three represent other broodmare sire lines. Clearly, he was not a stallion limited in his ability to work with various mares. While Juddmonte is “sadly out of ammunition,” as O'Rourke said, there may be a few more runners yet to make waves for their sire. Remember, at the beginning of this month, Seize the Grey was a 9-1 first-time stakes winner in the GII Pat Day Mile S. Promising prospects include Sidamara, a Bill Mott trainee and Juddmonte homebred, who broke her maiden at Keeneland in April and doubled up at Churchill for a second win on Kentucky Oaks Day from just three starts. On the other side of the world, Assurbanipal, a $1.05-million OBS purchase last year, also made it two for three in Japan this past Saturday. It wouldn't be a shock to see either or both make a splash in stakes company soon. Every new winner and especially every addition to the stakes ranks has a bittersweet tinge as it accentuates the depth of Arrogate's loss. “Obviously after he passed there was the disappointment, but that's something where you just have to turn the page,” said O'Rourke. “As horse people, you never get accustomed to it.” Juddmonte has retained a few of Arrogate's daughters for the organization's famed broodmare band. “We have a few out of some good mares,” said O'Rourke. “Hopefully he'll be a nice influence going forward.” Five young mares by Arrogate, including two owned by Juddmonte, produced their first foals in 2023. That number has more than quintupled in 2024. Arrogate's own sire, Unbridled's Song, has been a perpetual placeholder among the leading broodmare sires for years. Buoyed by books of quality over quantity, Arrogate could very well do the same in time. His three Grade I-winning daughters all sold at Fasig-Tipton's 'Night of the Stars' sale last November. Secret Oath went to Spendthrift Farm for $3 million; And Tell Me Nolies hammered to Narvick International/Grand Stud for $2.3 million; and Fun to Dream brought $1.9 million from K.I. Farm. Meanwhile, Arrogate's Belmont and Travers winner Arcangelo–named the 2023 Eclipse 3-year-old champion–is currently standing his first season at Lane's End. As a Classic winner, Seize the Grey will get a prime opportunity at stud as well. (Arrogate's other top son, Cave Rock, succumbed to complications from laminitis last year.) While Arrogate's long-term legacy is far from set in stone, the etching has begun. It's safe to say he has the opportunity to impact the breed for years to come. The post Saturday Sires: Arrogate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. Among this week's rulings, trainer Silvino Ramirez was suspended for 30-days and fined $2,500 after his trainee, Perfect Day, tested positive for an alkalinizing agent (TCO2) when finishing fifth at Parx Racing on April 17. High total carbon dioxide (TCO2) levels could be an indication of bicarbonate loading—otherwise known as milkshaking—which can neutralize the buildup of lactic acid in muscles, thereby helping the horse's performance. Veterinarian Donald McCrosky was also suspended 30-days for violating the terms of a prior suspension. HIWU's publicly-posted case resolution contains few specific details, other than to explain that McCrosky “participated in activities related to Covered Horses” during that period of ineligibility. His latest suspension runs May 18 through June 16. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Resolution Date: 05/21/2023 Licensee: Juan Cano, trainer Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Explainer: For the presence of Omeprazole—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Ibn Al Arabi on 4/3/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 05/21/2023 Licensee: Dayson LaVanway, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Triamcinolone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Sir Looking Glass, who finished second at Turf Paradise on 3/27/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 05/20/2024 Licensee: Silvino Ramirez, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 21, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221—Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)—on Perfect Day, who finished fifth at Parx Racing on 4/17/24. This was also a possible violation of Rule 3313—Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period. Resolution Date: 05/17/2023 Licensee: Victor Carrasco Jr., trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Perfectly Golden, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/8/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 05/17/2024 Licensee: Dr. Donald McCrosky, veterinarian Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 18, 2024. Admission. Explainer: Possible breach of ADMC Program Rule 3329(a) for the violation of the terms of the Covered Person's period of Ineligibility imposed for a prior violation of ADMC Program Rule 3510. During the terms of the period of Ineligibility, McCrosky participated in activities related to Covered Horses. McCrosky previously served a 30-day suspension between March 12 and April 10 for the breach of Rule 3510(a)—Disruptive or Offensive Conduct that does not rise to Tampering. The ruling involved the horse Madelyn Attack, who McCrosky bred. Pending ADMC Violations 05/22/2024, Monty Meier, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Blaze of Dreams, who finished fourth at Golden Gate on 4/20/24. 05/21/2024: Pending medication violation for the presence of metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Devil Pays in Gold, who finished second at Laurel Park on 3/8/24. Update: According to a HIWU spokesperson, trainer David Howard was the trainer of record when Devil Pays in Gold tested positive for metformin. Howard passed away later that month. The only potential sanctions for this case, therefore, are the disqualification of race results and a period of Ineligibility for the horse, which has already been completed. 05/17/2024, Herold Simms, trainer: Pending intra-articular injection violation on Nature Boy within a timed and reported workout on 5/1/24. 05/17/2024, Sergio Ledezma, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Cousin Richie, who finished fourth at Aqueduct on 4/13/24. 05/16/2024, James Ferraro, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Meraviglioso, who won at Aqueduct on 3/10/24. The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. California Track: Santa Anita Date: 05/17/2024 Licensee: John Elder, owner Penalty: Suspension Explainer: Owner John Elder having failed to respond to appear in person as ordered (April 25, 2024) by the Board of Stewards at Santa Anita Park on May 16, 2024, (at 10:00 a.m.) for a scheduled hearing is suspended for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1547 (Failure to Appear) pending an appearance at a hearing before the Board of Stewards to answer to charges alleging violation of CHRB rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility – $7369.25 to Trainer Leonard Powell). Suspension to commence on May 24, 2024. Kentucky Churchill Downs Irad Ortiz – violation date May 1; three-day suspension for careless riding Martin Chuan – violation date May 2; three-day suspension for careless riding Tyler Gaffalione – violation date May 4; $2,500 fine for touching a rival with his left hand nearing the finish The post Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings: May 16-22, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Entries for the €1.2-million Arqana Series are set to close on June 1. The series comprises four races for two-year-olds and one for three-year-olds and are open to horses who were offered at the Arqana yearling sales–August, September, V2, October and November–as well as foals and juveniles who were sold at the December Vente d'Élevage and breeze-up sales, respectively. Four of the races will take place at Deauville in August with the remaining contest getting underway on the eve of the Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp. The series kicks off with two €160,000 races run over 1,400 metres for unraced colts and geldings and then unraced fillies respectively. There is also a €260,000 conditions race for two-year-olds over 1,300 metres at Deauville while the new addition to the series, a €320,000 event over 2,000 metres, will take place in late August. The sole ParisLongchamp fixture is a €260,000 two-year-old conditions race to be run over 1,600 metres. Horses are to be nominated at a cost of €1,000 for two-year-olds and €500 for three-year-olds by June 1 in order to qualify for the lucrative Arqana Series. The post Entries For The €1.2 million Arqana Series Set To Close On June 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Goulburn and Taree winner makes successful start to Hong Kong career at city circuitView the full article

As the founder and CEO of MyRacehorse.com, Michael Behrens dreamt about days like this, winning a race at the highest level. So when Seize the Grey (Arrogate) crossed the wire first in the GI Preakness S., Behrens felt like he was living a dream. But so did the 2,570 individuals who invested in Seize the Grey, buying micro shares in the 3-year-old colt. And no doubt, so did the 88-year-old Hall of Fame trainer Wayne Lukas, who keeps making the statement that age truly is nothing more than a number. There were a lot of storylines at this year's Preakness and many involved MyRacehorse.com. To learn more, the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland called upon Behrens to help us tell what was an incredible story. Behrens was this week's Green Group Guest of the week. Many top owners had given up on Lukas over the years, no doubt feeling that he was too old to do the job right. So why did Behrens give him a shot with a top horse when so few others were willing to do so? “I grew up in Southern California, in Glendora, California, and Mr. Lukas was on the top of his game back then and represented everything that was good about racing,” he said. “It seemed like all the big races that I went to were won by Lukas. As I was starting MyRacehorse, I saw him getting some nice horses up at Saratoga and Oaklawn, and I saw how well he was doing with the couple that he was getting chances with. I was getting impressed. Obviously, I was a huge fan and thought of him as a living legend of our game. Then seeing him kind of re-emerge with a couple of horses, I thought he was really starting to do well again. When we bought this horse at the Fasig-Tipton sale, I turned to the team and I said, 'this is where I want to go, with Wayne Lukas.' I asked them if they thought this was the right type of horse for his program. We know that he's got a certain type of horse that fits that program. They gave me a big thumbs up and that's how it all started.” Behrens knew his micro shares concept wasn't for everyone, in particular the mega-wealthy owners who were dominating the yearling and 2-year-old sales and the sport as a whole. But he has proven that if you can get enough “normal” people to buy into an idea you can compete against anyone. “It's been said that we are the face of the people,” he said. “I'll take that all day long. When I started this and when I looked at my Racing Form and when I went to the races I saw who owned the horses. These were people that ran countries, that owned big companies and they owned big hedge funds. I couldn't see a reason why we couldn't tap into the millions of people that love horse racing. What was audience for the Derby broadcast? 16.7 million people? There's still a lot of energy and a lot of excitement, a lot of passion around horse racing. I thought, let's curate it. Let's go ahead and compete.” After winning the GII Pat Day Mile S. on the Kentucky Derby undercard, Seize the Grey was wheeled back in two weeks for the Preakness. The move went against what has become conventional wisdom in the sport, that horses need several weeks off in between races. “That definitely wasn't my idea,” Behrens said. “I'm with Mr. Lukas for a reason, and I have enjoyed this journey tremendously. He has shared all his insight and all of his experience and all that has propelled him to all the success that he's had. I've had a little bit of a taste of that along this journey. He's completely generous with his thinking and his time and his strategy and what goes into his thinking. It wasn't like this was a binary, decisive plan. At the end of the day he lets the horse tell him what to do. He reacts to what he sees from the competition and from the horse itself. So he can be aggressive, but I've always been perfectly comfortable with that.” In our breeding spotlight section we took a look at the Coolmore stallion Corniche and the WinStar stallion Audible. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, Coolmore, https://pabred.com/https://www.kentuckybred.org/https://www.nyrabets.com/ 1/ST Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar, the Penn Mile at Penn National and XBTV.com, the team of Randy Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman gave their thoughts on the Preakness and the feel-good story of Lukas winning the race at his age. Who will win the GI Belmont S. at Saratoga and who will go on to prove to be the best of this class? Those were other topics of discussion as was the provisional suspension handed down by HISA/HIWU to trainer George Weaver for a metformin positive. Finley suggested that HIWU should take metformin off of its list of banned substances and make it a “controlled substance.” Penalties for horses testing positive for controlled substances are far less severe than the ones for banned substances. To listen to the podcast, click here. The post Michael Behrens Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On May 21, the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) reported on its website that the filly Devil Pays in Gold (Uncle Lino) tested positive for the banned substance Metformin in a race contested on Mar. 8 at Laurel. However, the ruling does not list a trainer, and for good reason. David Howard was listed as the trainer for the race, but he passed away seven days later, dying of a heart attack at age 45. He would not have known at the time that Devil Pays in Gold had tested positive. “David Howard was the trainer of record when Devil Pays in Gold tested positive for metformin,” said HIWU's director of communications and outreach Alexa Ravit in an email. “Howard passed away later that month. Thus, the only potential sanctions for this case are the disqualification of race results and a period of ineligibility for the horse, which has already been completed.” Metformin is used by humans to control Type 2 diabetes and is among the most widely prescribed drugs on the market. In several of the HWU cases involving Metformin, the connections have insisted that the positive was the result of environmental contamination. Two weeks after Howard's passing, Devil Pays in Gold showed up in the Laurel entries racing for trainer Kieron Magee. She won the allowance race by 1 3/4 lengths for her new trainer. She has not run since the March 29 race. According to the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's newsletter, Howard was introduced to the racing industry by Magee, and then worked with horses in the barn of Amanda Rawlings before he obtained his trainer's license in 2021. On the same day that he passed away, he won a $12,500 claimer at Laurel with Thencomemorning (Friesan Fire) and, with the last horse he would send out, finished fifth in a maiden special weight race with Goldrush Hottie (Golden Lad). Howard had 28 career winners from 250 starters. The post Trainer Gets Metformin Positive And Then Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article