just watched race 4 and noticed the locals around at the start seemed a bit kinky. maybe thats an invercargill thing.

Jockey Jareth Loveberry claimed career win 2,000 in Friday's eighth and final race at Fair Grounds after a frontrunning score for trainer Justin Jeansonne. Two wins shy entering the day's action, Loveberry claimed the opener with the odds-on favorite Prince Day (Race Day) and bookended the card aboard Island Cabana (Custom for Carlos) to pass the threshold of the milestone. His career has taken him all over the country, with Loveberry best known for winning multiple titles at Arlington Park and finishing second in the Kentucky Derby aboard Two Phil's (Hard Spun) for trainer Larry Rivelli in 2023. He is currently riding in his fifth season at Fair Grounds and has finished in the top three in local standings for the past three. “Winning my 2,000th career race at a historic racetrack like Fair Grounds, it's pretty special,” Loveberry said. “Just thinking back 20 years ago, being tall like I am, I never thought I could get here.” “After I got the first one I said to myself, I have a couple of other horses with a chance today but I really think I could get the last. It's just good to get this weight off my shoulders. It's been a long road. Thanks to my wife (Stacie) and kids (Kennedy 13 and Colton 9) for supporting me every step of the way.” Loveberry also gave thanks to his agent, Steve Leving, for being an instrumental part of his journey. “Steve has been a big part of my success,” he said. “I was kind of going stale a little bit in 2019 when we got the connection to go to Chicago in the fall and we've been together ever since. I've got nothing but appreciation and gratitude for everything he has done.” The post Jareth Loveberry Notches Career Win 2000 at Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies brings together a maximum field of 18 over the 1,600-metre trip, with the undefeated pair of Alankar and Margot Love Me featuring among those who will be trying to etch their name alongside the likes of Vodka (2006), Buena Vista (2008) and Liberty Island (2022) on a glittering roll of honour. Trained by Takashi Saito, Alankar followed her debut victory at Fukushima with another dominant performance to win September's Nojigiku Stakes over this course and distance. The Epiphaneia filly is out of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Sinhalite (Deep Impact), who also filled the runner-up spot in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas). “She was a bit of a handful in her debut race, so in the Nojigiku Stakes we had her in a hood behind the gate,” Saito said of Alankar. “She had some problem taking the bit, which made for a somewhat rough race. But her speed was good after things picked up, and she won easily. She went to the farm after that, returned to the training center on Nov. 20, and worked in tandem over the course on Dec. 3 under Yuichi Kitamura. The focus was on the final stage and things went well. Her footwork and breathing were good. There are some concerns with the big field, how well she'll take the bit, the start, and how in tune she'll be with the rider. But she has a lot of talent and I have my hopes up.” Meanwhile, Margot Love Me will be a first Group 1 runner on the Flat for trainer Shinya Kobayashi. The daughter of Real Steel is also unbeaten in two starts, though the quick turnaround since her most recent success in the Shiragiku Sho at Kyoto in late-November is a concern for her connections. “Even though she doesn't have a strong constitution and she isn't the best eater, she won both her starts and I think the latter one was her better one,” said Kobayashi. “After work on Dec. 4, there appeared to be no problems and, after checking her over, we decided that afternoon to race her here. Her preparation has come along well and I'm hoping she too can do well if she brings out her strength and her early speed. In the days leading in to the race, if I see anything that worries me, we'll withdraw. But for now everything looks fine.” Star Anise (Drefong), last seen occupying the runner-up spot in August's G3 Chukyo Nisai Stakes, steps up in trip as one of the most experienced fillies in the field, along with Taisei Vogue (Indy Champ), who brings solid form to the table after finishing second in the G3 Niigata Nisai Stakes and third in the G3 Artemis Stakes on her last two starts. One place ahead of Taisei Vogue in the Artemis Stakes was Mitsukane Venera (Maurice), who is open to more improvement on just her third career outing, while Arbanne is most definitely a filly who has progressed with her racing. Runner-up on her debut at this venue, the daughter of Admire Mars has won both of her subsequent starts, including the Saffron Sho at Nakayama last time. “After winning the Saffron Sho and returning to the training centre after a bit of time off, we gave her the usual work,” assistant trainer Toshihiko Hokari said of Arbanne. “We were concerned that her pulse wasn't fast enough and so we put the jockey [Ryusei Sakai] up on Dec. 4 and he gave her a good ride. She was well in hand and her movement was good. There is some strong competition in this race, but I think she can hold her own in an all-filly line-up. From her debut, the riders have done a good job of getting the best out of her in a race's final stage. I'm looking forward to seeing how well she can do.” Other notable runners include His Masterpiece (Screen Hero), a dual winner over this distance at Tokyo, and the battle-hardened Shonan Charis (Real Steel), who stepped up again on her fifth start when finishing second in last month's G3 Fantasy Stakes at Kyoto. Stunning Lady (Benbatl), on the other hand, has raced just once, when winning in good style at Tokyo, while Sweet Happiness (Real Impact) is similarly promising going into this third start. She fared best of the rest behind Margot Love Me in the Shiragiku Sho last time. The post Best of Japan’s Juvenile Fillies Go Head-To-Head at Hanshin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charismatic Kid (lot 28) headlined Friday's Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale when bought by trainer Gordon Elliott for £300,000. Consigned by Colm Ryan Racing, the son of Affinisea was an impressive winner of a Navan bumper last week. “He looks a nice horse,” said Elliott after outbidding Tessa Greatrex for the gelding. “We were at the races when he won and he won well. Colm has done a great job with him, so fair play to him. The horse won't jump a hurdle this season. We will see if he is okay for a bumper in the spring.” Elliott was responsible for buying four of the 23 lots that changed hands, with his other purchases including the impressive point winner Thinkitdontjinxit (Vadamos) (lot 20) from Denis Murphy's Ballyboy Stables at £185,000. Elsewhere, Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock also struck a meaningful blow when stretching to £200,000 to secure Order On Time from Sean Doyle's Monbeg Stables. Runner-up on his point debut at Turtulla last month, the son of Order Of St George was bought to embark on a career under Rules with Paul Nicholls. Total turnover for Tattersalls Cheltenham's final sale of 2025 reached £1,936,000, with the clearance rate coming in at 85%. The average was £84,174 and the median was £60,000. The post Charismatic Kid Tops Friday’s Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale at £300K appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade I winner Sandman (Tapit) posted his first work at Oaklawn Park Friday morning a week after arriving on grounds in advance of his 4-year-old debut in February. The GI Arkansas Derby hero went an easy half-mile in :49 flat, the 19th fastest of 73 at the distance, under exercise rider Autumn Lavertu over a fast track following the first surface renovation break. Clockers had his splits as an opening quarter in :25 and :36.80 for three furlongs. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:02. “Just have an easy half for him,” said assistant trainer Caden Arthur, who oversees Mark Casse's Oaklawn division. “His first breeze here, so I didn't want anything, like, too fast. Looked great on the track. Very comfortable.” Sandman has been unraced since late August, and had previously been based at Casse's Florida training center where he had published works Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 at three furlongs and a half-mile, respectively. “Hopefully, start looking for a race, maybe early February, middle February,” said Arthur. Casse went on record in November when stating that a major spring objective for the grey in 2026 would be the GII Oaklawn Handicap Apr. 18. The post Sandman Works Toward 2026 Return to Racing at Oaklawn Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article