Thoroughbred Daily News

Sheikh Mohammaned bin Rashid al Maktoum's Godolphin signed for its first horse at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale approaching the midway point of Tuesday's second session, going to an even $1 million for a colt by Justify. Hip 174 was bred by Don Alberto Corporation and the Justify syndicate and is out of Dolce Lemone (Lemon Drop Kid), whose stakes-winning daughter Dolce Lili (Scat Daddy) was represented by a City of Light filly purchased by Centennial Farms for $500,000 during Monday's opening session at Saratoga. Dolce Lemone is herself a half-sister to Canadian Broodmare of the Year Noble Strike (Smart Strike), the dam of champion and Queen's Plate winner Inglorious (Hennessy) and GSW and Prince of Wales Stakes winned Dixie Strike (Dixie Union). Hip 174 was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.

#FasigSaratoga Tuesday: Hip 174, a Justify colt out of Dolce Lemone, sells for $1 million to @godolphin from the @HunterValleyKY consignment. pic.twitter.com/TaR1RsOLQC

— TDN (@theTDN) August 7, 2024

Hip 1⃣7⃣4⃣ @HunterValleyKY barn 2⃣ @FasigTiptonCo colt by #justify @coolmoreamerica Watch “FTSAUG24_Hip 174_Dolce Lemone 23” on #Vimeo https://t.co/99o7CSHATd

— Hunter Valley Farm (@HunterValleyKY) August 3, 2024

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A Gainesway-consigned Ghostzapper filly out of winning Seeking the Blue (Arch) hammered to John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock for $1.2 million at Tuesday's session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. The half-sister to MGSP Janis Joplin (California Chrome) and MSP Vino Rouge (Vino Rosso) was bred in Kentucky by Payson Stud and went through the ring as Hip 147. The May 5 filly joins another Ghostzapper purchase in the Resolute portfolio–Stewart purchased champion Goodnight Olive at Fasig-Tipton's November sale for $6 million.

GHOSTZAPPER (@HillnDaleFarm) filly sells for $1,200,000 at The Saratoga Sale! Congrats to buyer Resolute Bloodstock (@rresoluteracing), consignor @Gainesway, agt, and breeder Payson Stud (KY)! #FasigSaratoga pic.twitter.com/OOuKZV9ZQH

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) August 6, 2024

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Hip 146, a colt by boom sire Gun Runner bred on a cross over Tapit mares that has proved a rich source of high-class runners, was hammered down to Coolmore and Peter Brant for $1.9 million to skip to the head of class during the first hour of trade during Tuesday's second session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. The Feb. 27 foal was consigned by Lane's End on behalf of the colt's breeder, Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Equine, and hails from one of her best families. Hip 146 is out of Secret Sigh (Tapit), whose MGSW dam India (Hennessy) is responsible for Japanese dual-surface Group 1 winner Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}) and the stakes-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Kareena (Medaglia d'Oro). The third dam is also replete with black-type and includes the likes of MGISW To Honor and Serve and GISW Angela Renee. The current 3-year-old from the mare, the colt Stop The Press (Uncle Mo), fetched $1.5 million at this sale in 2022. When bred to Tapit mares, Gun Runner has produced GISW Society and other graded winners Wicked Halo, Red Route One and Disarm, et. al.

Hip 146 A super balanced and athletic looking colt by Gun Runner selling tonight @FasigTiptonCo bred by @MoreSummerWind #lesales #saratoga pic.twitter.com/Iz5eyriYaQ

— Lane's End (@LanesEndFarms) August 6, 2024

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A share in Airdrie Stud's hugely successful first-crop sire Complexity (Maclean's Music) was the first lot on offer during Tuesday's second session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearling Sale, and was hammered down to David Lanigan, bidding on behalf of Scott Heider, for $510,000. Representing a 2.5% interest, the share is not subject to syndicate clearance, according to a pre-sale announcement from Fasig-Tipton's Grant Williamson before the bidding began.

“We bought a Nyquist filly off Airdrie last year, so there is a connection to the family and the farm,” Lanigan said. “The horse is off to a very good start to his career and Mr. Heider was very interested in him. We just decided to watch him go through and see what he would bring.

“I thought that [the price] was reasonable. If he continues to go on and if his fee is where we estimate it may be next year, this will be sensible enough.”

The 8-year-old stallion, whose Charlatan half-brother was purchased by John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock for $1.5 million Monday evening, is already the sire of 13 individual winners, leaving him in a share of the top spot in that particular category with Vekoma.

Complexity is the leading freshman sire by progeny earnings and has already accounted for three black-type winners, including GIII Sanford Stakes hero Mo Plex, recent G2 Richmond Stakes victor Black Forza and Stewart's Mensa, who romped in the Victoria Stakes, giving the stallion stakes winners on dirt, turf and synthetic surfaces.

He is also the leading general sire of 2-year-olds with winners in five different jurisdictions, including Shin Forever, who broke his maiden impressively at first asking at Niigata in Japan on Aug. 3.

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The second horse through the ring Tuesday night at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga sale, a Gun Runner filly out of $4.5-million broodmare Pure Clan (Pure Prize), brought a cool $1.5 million from Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm LLC. Consigned as Hip 123 by Gainesway, agent XI, the chestnut filly was bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm and is a half-sister to Princesa Carolina (Tapit), course record setter in the Dueling Grounds Oaks whose graded placings include the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes. Dam Pure Clan won the GI American Oaks Invitational Stakes and GI Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes and foaled this filly Mar. 14.

#FasigSaratoga Tuesday: Hip 123, a filly by Gun Runner out of GI winner Pure Clan, sells for $1.5 million to @whisper_hill from the @Gainesway consignment.

A half-sister to PRINCESA CAROLINA. pic.twitter.com/X3qpPoNcSp

— TDN (@theTDN) August 6, 2024

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The Ed Brown Society, led by Chairman Greg Harbut and President Clark Williams, accepted the 2024 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame award on behalf of the late jockey Abe Hawkins during the induction ceremony Friday at Saratoga Springs. Hawkins, who died in 1867, is known for riding Lecomte to victory over the previously undefeated Lexington in 1854.

The Ed Brown Society is a Lexington, KY-based organization whose mission is to celebrate the history of African Americans in the equine industry, and to provide exposures, experiences, resources, and professional development to talented and focused young people of color who wish to pursue careers in the industry.

Williams, who spoke during the acceptance speech for Hawkins, said: “We must work together… because we are better together… May this be the springboard our industry desperately needs to work together and do better for the sport we all love.”

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Kentucky Downs will play host to the inaugural FanDuel TV U.S. Open Turf Championships Sept. 7. The event will feature six graded stakes races offering over $2m apiece for Kentucky-breds. In addition to the three Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In Races', Kentucky Downs will pay the pre-entry and entry fees towards the Breeders' Cup for the winners of three additional stakes should they make a Breeders' Cup field at Del Mar Nov. 1-2. FanDuel TV has also been announced as the title sponsor for the GII FanDuel TV Kentucky Turf Cup, a WAYI for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf. There will be over $13m in purses offered on the card for Sept. 7, potentially making it America's richest day of racing outside of Breeders' Cup Saturday.

“We are pleased to again partner with Kentucky Downs to provide winning connections with fantastic incentives and awards via the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President & Chief Racing Officer for Breeders' Cup Limited. “The commitment of Kentucky Downs and FanDuel to recruiting international contenders aligns perfectly with our approach as a global festival of racing, and we look forward to welcoming contenders who find success at this meeting to the Breeders' Cup World Championships in the fall at Del Mar.”

Kevin Grigsby, Executive Producer for FanDuel TV added: “We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the inaugural FanDuel TV U.S. Open Turf Championships. Our collaborative relationship with Kentucky Downs for the past three years has been popular with our account-holders and viewers alike and we are looking forward to bringing world-class turf racing to our audience. This spectacular day of racing will serve as a key stepping stone on the road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships in November and we are excited to showcase Kentucky Downs' full fields and quality racing with full coverage every day of the prestigious meet.”

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GSW/MGISP Breaking Lucky (Lookin At Lucky) was euthanized Saturday, Aug. 3 due to complications from colic at the age of 12 according to a release by Blue Star Racing who stood the stallion in Louisiana. Through a five-year stallion career in both Florida and Louisiana, he was the leading second crop sire by winners in Louisiana and the southwest region.

“Our entire family is heartbroken,” said Blue Star Racing's Dex Comardelle. “Lucky was such a loved member of our family and local community. We are still trying to process that he is gone. I want to wish a heartfelt thank you to all the breeders, trainers, and owners who have supported him in Florida and in Louisiana during these last five years. We are also very thankful to the vets and surgeons who tried everything they could to save him.”

Breaking Lucky, who raced for the partnerships of West Point Thoroughbreds, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Eric Young, and R.A. Hill Stable, was the 2015 Prince of Wales Stakes winner and took the GIII Seagram Cup Stakes a 4-year-old while also placing in the GI Clark Handicap, the GI Whitney Stakes and the GI Stephen Foster Handicap.

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Following its launch phase in the U.S. in April, 2024, Light Up Racing will launch Phase 2 of its program, which includes further website development and new personnel, the organizers announced in a press release Sunday,

“The initial phase highlighted the crucial need for transparency and effective communication within the racing industry, with millions turning to LUR for reliable updates and insights,” the company said in the release. “LUR is ready to build on this success, driving further innovation and progress in the months ahead. During Phase 1, Light Up Racing provided timely updates on high profile horses, catering to the public's appetite for transparency and information. The organization highlighted the journeys of both winners and losers alike from major races during their recovery days, offering simplified explanations of medical issues. Valuable resources were created to address common concerns within the industry. These efforts enabled participants to confidently disseminate accurate information, effectively sharing industry progress while addressing misinformation.”

Price Bell, the LUR Chair, said, “We learned a lot in our first six months. We are encouraged by what we learned during these initial months of Light Up Racing. Because of everyone who volunteered, donated, learned, and most importantly engaged in the programming, we look forward to driving onto a follow up phase. Our initial work allowed us to try a variety of initiatives and determine what made real impact, and now, we are excited to continue this work into 2025.”

Bell continued, “As fundraising efforts prove to be successful, Light Up Racing will expand other programming areas proven to be impactful during Phase 1. Leveraging the power of social media is a clear area the Board identified for continuation as there is a tremendous need to to push out fresh content that speaks to the truth of horse racing. Bell noted, “It is important that the public hears about what we do from us. We get to tell our own story, authentically and transparently.”

LUR also said that they planned to continue to develop the website “into a comprehensive resource hub.”

Bell added, “Today's public expects immediate access to information, and silence during crises only fuels suspicion. We've been dedicated to helping industry organizations with guidance and arming our Light Up community with the right messaging to address misinformation and false narratives.”

Vicky Leonard, owner of the industry marketing company Kick Collective, will continue to play an instrumental role in shaping Light Up Racing's strategic direction. Light Up Racing has retained Amy Brin as a contracted interim Executive Director through Envision Consulting LLC. Brin brings over 20 years of national experience in building non-profit organizations and programming. Bell said, “Another thing we learned is that we need someone running the daily operations to really push things forward. It is important in a build that we capitalize on momentum.” A full-time executive director will be recruited during Phase 2.

To keep up to date with Light Up Racing plans, events and resource updates, visit www.lightupracing.com

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She did it again. Michael Lund Petersen's Adare Manor (m, 5, Uncle Mo–Brooklynsway, by Giant Gizmo), who was coming off wins in the GI Apple Blossom Handicap and GII Santa Margarita Stakes, made it three straight in winning the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar for the second year in a row. She earned a 'Win and You're In' fees-paid berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, which will be contested over this same surface in three months.

Adare Manor broke nicely in the Clement Hirsch, content to let 58-1 longshot Olivia Twist (Mshawish) take command despite previously setting all the pace in the majority of her wins. Unbothered in third while under a snug hold, she bided her time as Olivia Twist set the first quarter mark in :23 before relinquishing the lead to June's dual Churchill graded winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Scylla (Tapit), who notched the second quarter in :46.52. As the field bunched up before the final turn, Adare Manor got pinned in by 2023 Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly and 'TDN Rising Star' Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) and two-back GII Santa Maria Stakes winner Coffee in Bed (Curlin) to her outside as Olivia Twist began slowing, giving her no where to go. Shuffled back a few spots, she re-rallied, tipped out, and circled around Pretty Mischievous. Still several lengths back on the turn while Scylla had daylight on the field, Adare Manor found her best stride and ran down the shipper to prevail by 2 3/4 lengths. Scylla held second by two lengths over another shipper in MSW & MGISP Flying Connection (Nyquist), who served as runner-up to Adare Manor in the Apple Blossom.

“She broke good and relaxed, so I was happy,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “This wasn't a perfect trip for her, but it was fine. She's not bothered by the kick back so where we were OK. I rode her with a lot of confidence; she was running with a lot of confidence. We made our way through that little bit of trouble we had and she was off and running. She is one of the best fillies I've ever ridden.”

With eight graded wins to her name, including three Grade I scores, Adare Manor joins Stellar Wind (Curlin, 2016-17), Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}, 2008-10), and Azeri (Jade Hunter, 2002-03) as repeat winners of the Clement Hirsch since it was restricted to fillies and mares in 1981. The latter two were named Horses of the Year; the former was a champion 3-year-old filly. With three wins out of four starts in 2024–her sole loss this year a close second in her seasonal debut, the GI Beholder Mile in March–and a ticket punched to the Breeders' Cup, Adare Manor is making her own case for an Eclipse this year.

Pedigree Notes:

Adare Manor is one of 50 graded winners and one of 102 black-type winners for her Coolmore America sire, Uncle Mo. The champion 2-year-old colt turned leading freshman sire is now annually one of North America's leading sires. She is not only Uncle Mo's only stakes winner out of a Giant Gizmo mare, but the only black-type winner out of a Giant Gizmo daughter. Uncle Mo does have five black-type winners out of daughters by Giant Gizmo's sire, Giant's Causeway, including Grand Mo the First, who won his first stakes race, Gulfstream's Bear's Den Stakes, Saturday after placing in the GI Florida Derby and GIII Tampa Bay Derby and running in the GI Kentucky Derby this spring.

Brooklynsway, dam of the Clement Hirsch winner and herself winner of the 2016 GIII Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland, was a 2020 Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale purchase by Town & Country for $95,000. Adare Manor sold at the same sale as a short yearling to Walmac Farms and Gary Board for $180,000 before Donato Lanni picked her up at OBS as a 2-year-old the next year for $375,000. Brooklynsway's 2-year-old filly, Nosleeptilbrooklyn (Ghostzapper), made her first start Saturday, finishing seventh at Ellis Park for trainer Brian Lynch and Boardshorts Stables, who bought her as a $500,000 Keeneland September yearling. Brooklynsway, a $1.2-million RNA at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale, has a yearling full-brother to Adare Manor. The mare aborted her 2024 foal and was bred to Curlin for next term.

Saturday, Del Mar
CLEMENT L. HIRSCH S. PRESENTED BY OAK TREE RACING ASSOCIATION-GI, $401,500, Del Mar, 8-3, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:43.29, ft.
1–ADARE MANOR, 125, m, 5, by Uncle Mo
1st Dam: Brooklynsway (GSW-USA, MSW & GSP-Can, $724,597), by Giant Gizmo
2nd Dam: Explosive Story, by Radio Star
3rd Dam: Maya's Note, by Editor's Note
($180,000 Ylg '20 FTKFEB; $190,000 RNA Ylg '20 FTKSEL; $375,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN). O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $240,000. Lifetime Record: 18-10-5-0, $2,096,600. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Scylla, 123, f, 4, by Tapit
                1st Dam: Close Hatches (Ch. Older Mare, MGISW, $2,707,300), by First Defence
                2nd Dam: Rising Tornado, by Storm Cat
                3rd Dam: Silver Star (GB), by Zafoni
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. 'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-William I. Mott. $80,000.
3–Flying Connection, 121, f, 4, by Nyquist
                1st Dam: Free Flying Soul (MSW & MGISP, $423,177), by Quiet American
                2nd Dam: Ruby Surprise, by Farma Way
                3rd Dam: Santa Rosalia, by Bold Bidder
($250,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Brad King, Jim Cone, Robert Lewis, Suzanne Kirby and Randy Andrews; B-Liberty Road Stables (KY); T-Todd W. Fincher. $48,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 2, NO. Odds: 0.60, 2.70, 21.30.
Also Ran: Desert Dawn, Pretty Mischievous, Sugar Fish, Coffee in Bed, Olivia Twist.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

ADARE MANOR ($3.20) WAS INCREDIBLE!

The mare by Uncle Mo (@coolmoreamerica) sat back and got a perfect trip under @JJHernandezS19 to win the @LanesEndFarms @BreedersCup Challenge Series $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at @DelMarRacing! The 5yo was trained by @BobBaffert. pic.twitter.com/pXizDMG0I7

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 4, 2024

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y.–Ferocious's (Flatter) blowout victory in the sixth race at Saratoga Race Course Saturday produced a series of backward and forward moments in the winner's enclosure.

Ramiro Restrepo and Gustavo Delgado, Jr., principals in Mage's (Good Magic) rise to prominence and victory in the 2023 GI Kentucky Derby, held court following the $100,000 2-year-old maiden special weight race that might be the first big step for another standout.

Restrepo and Delgado spearheaded the purchase of Ferocious for $1,300,000 at the OBS March sale and they were appropriately excited about the way he launched his career. Despite breaking a tad slow from the rail, eighth of nine, he quickly put himself into the race, grabbed the lead at the top of the stretch and cruised to a 7 3/4-lengths score under Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano. They completed the six furlongs over the muddy sealed track in 1:09.65 and paid $8.90 as the 3-1 favorite. El Prestigio (Practical Joke), the early pacesetter, was second, a nose ahead of Praetor (Into Mischief).

Delgado, who trains the colt with his father, said his agility enabled Ferocious to overcome the tardy start.

“I don't think you can ask for a better debut,” he said.

Gentry Stable bred the colt and Restrepo and Delgado Jr. put together the partnership with JR Ranch, owned by Jose Aguirre; Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock; High Step Racing and the Delgado's OGMA Investments. JR is the majority owner.

Restrepo said that Ferocious, out of the Midnight Lute mare Napier, could not be ignored.

“It's very difficult to find a horse with four generations of Juddmonte breeding like that at a 2-year-old sale. Usually, you find those things gone at the yearling sales,” he said and named some of colt's assets: “Physically so mature. His attitude. His attitude at the sale, like an older horse.”

Ferocious's fourth dam, Nijinsky Star (Nijinsky) was purchased by Juddmonte and joined the broodmare band, establishing a female family line that led to third dam Willstar (Nureyev) and second dam Uno Duo (Macho Uno).

Then it was Delgado's turn.

“I think the credit goes to JR Ranch,” he said. “When we were trying to buy him, he wouldn't stop. That's what you need in those cases, some guy that has got that to carry on, in the bidding. That was good for us.”

“Then since the horse is in the barn, so nice to be around. He's very chill. Any rider can ride, that kind of thing. We were pretty confident, though. I have to be honest.”

Ferocious had some experience on wet conditions in training and Restrepo noted that when Gustavo Delgado Sr. saw the weather forecast a couple of days ago, “He goes, 'Don't worry about it, he's a duck.'”

In May 2022, Restrepo and Delgado Jr. were so impressed with the 2-year-old Mage at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale that they went to $290,000, well beyond their budget, to buy the colt. Then they scrambled to find investors for what turned into a very successful venture. The 4-year-old stands at Airdrie Stud.

“Mage is the gift that keeps on giving for us,” Restrepo said. “Its let myself go out and purchase horses that I could only dream of. Before it was just fantasy football.”

With the credibility and the resources that a Derby win and the sale of a stallion can produce, they have been busy.

“You know, Gustavo and his father are more than capable of, from the test into the Derby, to have a barn for these horses, and they're deserving of the opportunity as well,” Restrepo said. “We have 20-plus really nice 2-year-olds at the barn.  Mage took us on this incredible ride, has given us a ton of experience to kind of be present in the moment. Now, hopefully, Ferocious takes the torch.”

Said Delgado Jr.: “Because of him, we have this one.”

Restrepo called Ferocious “a total package” and said he behaved like a seasoned pro at the sale.

“He was taken out 100-plus times and always acted mature and confident and never lost any weight; actually toughened up at the sale, put up some good size,” Restrepo said. “When you see a horse thriving in those environments, mentally, you start saying to yourself up, 'maybe he can handle the big stage.' Today was Step One. Episode One. Chapter One. Page One. It's a cool start, right?”

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Brittlyn Stable's Ova Charged (Star Guitar–Charged Cotton, by Dehere), winner of this year's GIII Unbridled Sidney Stakes and owner of the year's top Beyer Speed Figure, fell leaving the eighth pole during the running of Saturday's Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies' Turf Sprint Stakes and was subsequently euthanized. According to the track's Kevin Kerstein, the 6-year-old mare suffered a right front fetlock injury. Jockey Corey Lanerie walked back to the jockeys' room under his power.

Bred in Louisiana by Evelyn Benoit's operation, Ova Charged won eight of her first nine starts, including five state-bred stakes events while under the care of trainer Jose Camejo. Turned over to trainer Shane Wilson at the tail end of 2023, Ova Charged had rattled off another seven black-type wins, including her first such success in open company in the Feb. 13 Mardi Gras Stakes at the Fair Grounds. In her very next appearance, she thrashed her fellow Louisiana-breds by 12 1/2 lengths in the Page Cortez Stakes, running the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:01.90 which translated into a massive 113 Beyer Speed Figure. She won the Chicken Fried Stakes at Lone Star Park June 29 in her most recent appearance.

Ova Charged amassed a record of 15-1-0 from 19 starts for earnings of $918,575.

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Juddmonte Farms' progressive Dragoon Guard (Arrogate), a neck away from being unbeaten in his young career, carries a three-race winning streak and should jump a slight favorite in Sunday's $500,000 GIII West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park.

The homebred son of the talented turf mare Filimbi (Mizzen Mast) was beaten a neck by future stakes winner Otto the Conqueror (Street Sense) on his seven-furlong debut at Churchill last September, but is perfect since, including an all-the-way victory over GI Santa Anita Derby hero Stronghold (Ghostzapper) in the GIII Indiana Derby July 6.

Henro (Collected) was runner-up to the aforementioned Otto the Conqueror in a June 5 sprint allowance in Louisville, but made the most of his first two-turn assignment last time with a head defeat of Just a Touch (Justify) in the July 6 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows. A repeat of the 96 Beyer Speed Figure earned on that occasion makes him a very tough customer right back.

Two other graded winners are among Sunday's field of eight. Society Man (Good Magic) is the lesser-known stablemate of MGISW Dornoch (Good Magic) who earned his own berth in the GI Kentucky Derby with a runner-up effort–at 106-1–in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes in April. Down the field at Churchill, he rebounded with a 6-1 upset of the GIII Matt Winn Stakes June 9. 'TDN Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road) earned his graded success on the turf in last year's GII Pilgrim Stakes, but was also runner-up in this year's GIII Sam F. Davis Stakes on the dirt. He exits an even fifth in the grassy American Derby June 29.

Having returned a fat $91 to her backers when skipping home a 2 3/4-length winner of the opening-day Schuylerville Stakes July 11, The Queens M G (Thousand Words) will start at a fraction of that price when she leaves from the outside gate in a field of nine juvenile fillies in Sunday's GIII Adirondack Stakes at the Spa.

Having lit the Keeneland tote to the tune of 45-1 on debut Apr. 7, the dark bay filly was the 21-10 choice for the June 6 Astoria Stakes at this venue, but she backed out of it abruptly to finish a distant last of seven. Then she blew up the board in the Schuylerville.

“Going into that race, I didn't know what to expect,” said trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. “I was just hoping to run a decent race and have something to build on, but she exceeded expectations. That was a big improvement. The race before was disappointing because she had trained decent into the race, and we thought she was a good filly.”

The Queens M G should get the right race flow, as the field includes several fillies that want to be part of the action. Whatintheliteral (Lord Nelson) belied 13-1 odds in the Astoria after setting a pressured pace throughout, but tossed Javier Castellano at the start of the Schuylerville. Dare to Breeze (Daredevil) earned a good figure when taking out a local auction maiden by better than six lengths July 13, while Italian Soiree (Uncle Mo), a $600,000 OBS March breezer, exits a 5 1/4-length graduation from just off the pace downstate July 4 and will hope the speed comes back to the field as well.

Sunday's other graded action features the GIII Pucker Up Stakes at Ellis Park, where GIII Regret Stakes winner Pin Up Betty (Constitution) looks to bounce back from a fourth in the GI Belmont Oaks against the likes of Mo Fox Givin (Mo Town), while in the GIII West Virginia Governor's Cup, Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) squares off with 'TDN Rising Star' Extra Anejo (Into Mischief).

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As September arrives every year, we get excited about our homebred yearlings and future purchases that might come along, all for hopefully finding the Derby winner. But October is also something to look forward to with the Retired Racehorse Project, which we have been involved in since 2017. This year is a unique one; our former veterinarian Dr. Brittland Hughes has our homebred Town Of Gold in the Hunter-Jumper and Competitive Trail divisions; Am Prepared, a homebred out of the GI mare Tannery; and In the Loop, a $150,000 Keeneland purchase who won first time out for Colts Neck Stables. As I joined Mr Santulli's operation back in 2014 from my return from Saudi Arabia, I learned the importance of proper re-homing for all of our horses once retired, from monitoring horses we lost in claiming races and talking to connections when their forms are tailing off, inquiring for future re-homing plans, to being a big supporter of Second Call in New Jersey. In all my years at Colts Neck, I think RRP is one of my favorite events to watch, with my former horses growing and developing in new disciplines off the track. This year I am excited to be attending for the first time–both participating in two days of volunteering and obviously cheering on my three old trainees. Horse racing is in a crucial transition with HISA where we are seeing lots of positive stats but the general public should also understand that the reason we get up every day, 365 days a year, is for the love of the horse. Being able to watch these horses compete, whether it's on the track, in the field, or in the ring, is a treat every horse lover should appreciate.
–Jorge Duarte Jr, private trainer, Colts Neck Stables

Every year, there is excitement about the new two-year olds starting training in a racing yard. Who will be the next big stakes horse, Derby contender, Breeders' Cup candidate? But when I saw Town of Gold, aka Townley, I thought, gosh, he could be a really great show horse. With a flashy heart on his head, compact but correct conformation, and a curious but smart mentality, I thought this horse has potential to be an athlete–whether on the track or in the show ring. I loved his name, Town of Gold, which his Colombian trainer Jorge Duarte named after the Colombian mythical gold city 'El Dorado.' I quickly gave him the nickname Townley after my dad's middle name. As a two-year-old, he showed promise as a turf sprinter. Bred out of Speightstown, a multiple graded stakes dirt sire and Spunderful, a Medaglio D'oro turf sprint mare, Town of Gold was a well-bred homebred of Colts Neck Stables. He broke his maiden as a two-year old at Laurel Park where he put his nose down and refused to let another horse pass him. He then ran big at Aqueduct, placing in a black type stakes his first time in New York. He traveled to Florida for a winter at Palm Meadows Training Center where I was able to gallop him, enjoying the sunrise view between his pricked ears. He had a confident, safe disposition and a desire to please. After riding him, I knew he'd love the challenge of jumping someday. As I continued to watch his racetrack career progress, he unfortunately developed an intolerance to heat. Heat stroke can be a combination of environment and genetics and his mother had had similar issues with the heat. He did well in the cooler weather, however, turf season is primarily in the heat of the summer. As he got older, he still appeared game, but there was reservation in his drive to win. Many horses learn from experience and his experience with heat stroke had made him conservative compared to his rivals. In July of 2023, he ran his last race at Monmouth. I was crossing my fingers that he did not get claimed. Luck was on my side that day. Following his race, it was decided that he would be retired and I could finally start my project with this 6-year old I had loved since the age of 2.

When he came off the trailer to meet me at the farm, he still thought he was a racehorse. He was high-strung, hungry, and almost impossible to catch in the field. I was excited but also worried. I had never had a thoroughbred straight off the track. Initially, I doubted myself–what had I got myself into?! But as I put in the time and patience, we started making baby steps. He would spit out an apple but he loved carrots. He could trot over ground poles, at first hitting one or two then gliding through them like a pro. He learned to pick up both leads at the canter, not just the left like most racehorses prefer. In the barn, he started to recognize me and welcome me with his characteristic nicker. Even after a long day at work, I was still excited to see my boy, my Townley. The day finally came when I decided we were ready to pop over a cross rail. I let him sniff it, and he didn't seem bothered. I gave him a nudge and we picked up a trot to the tiny cross rail. As we got to the base, he picked up his legs, tucked his knees and jumped the neatest little jump. He landed with a look like, “hey, that was kinda different but fun!” After the introduction to jumping, I knew that not only could he do it but even more so that he enjoyed doing it, which made me want to jump the moon. From that day forward, I made a goal–to compete in the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover. When I was in undergraduate studies at The University of Kentucky, I had volunteered when the RRP had first started. There were only about 50 horses competing and no one really knew about the concept of competing in second careers for retired racehorses. The Thoroughbred makeover now has over 400 entries yearly and has incentivized interest in OTTB competitions throughout the country. It has made people realize that just because a horse has retired off the track as a five-, six-, or seven-year old doesn't mean the horse's athletic abilities stop there. So as I prepare for my dream to compete in the Thoroughbred makeover project this October, I have learned so much about the heart of a Thoroughbred and the relationship you can shape with a racehorse to achieve dreams you never thought possible. I hope my story inspires others to adopt racehorses and promote the Thoroughbred for the great breed they are both on and off the track.

–Dr. Brittland Hughes, former veterinarian, Colts Neck Stables, current owner/rider of Townley

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The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) moved Saturday's GI Saratoga Derby Invitational [Race 7] and the GII Troy Stakes [Race 10] due to heavy overnight rainfall and will shift the races to Saturday, Aug. 10, the track said in a release Saturday morning.

All of Saturday's remaining turf races [Race 1, Race 4, Race 9, Race 13] have been moved off the turf.

Updated post times for Saturday's now 11-race card, which kicks off at 12:05 p.m. ET., are:

Race 2 [12:45 p.m.], Race 3 [1:25 p.m.], Race 4 [2:05 p.m.], Race 5 [2:45 p.m.], Race 6 [3:25 p.m.], Race 7 [canceled], Race 8 [4:08 p.m.], Race 9 [4:52 p.m., Fasig-Tipton Lure], Race 10 [canceled], Race 11 [5:42 p.m.], Race 12 [6:17 p.m.] and Race 13 [6:50 p.m.].

Any multi-race wagers that include Race 7 and Race 10 have been canceled and will be refunded.

The two-day All Turf Pick 5, which kicked off Friday with the GII Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational and GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, will pay out to 'all' for the final three legs: the Saratoga Derby Invitational [Race 7], Fasig-Tipton Lure [Race 9], and Troy [Race 10].

The graded races that were cancelled Saturday will join an Aug. 10 card that includes the GI FanDuel Fourstardave Stakes, a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile; as well as the GII Saratoga Special and the Galway Stakes.

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The fastest 2-year-old so far this season didn't graduate at either Del Mar or Saratoga.

That honor belongs to–at least on the Beyer Speed Figure scale (through Aug. 2)–St Elias Stable homebred Rated by Merit (c, 2, Battalion Runner–Banner Waving, by Speightstown), who earned a 92 rating when airing by 9 3/4 lengths for trainer Michael Yates going six furlongs on debut at Gulfstream Park July 13. That is four points higher than the co-second fastest duo of Mentee (City of Light), the younger full-brother of champion Fierceness, and Colloquial (Vekoma), who ran one-two at the Belmont at Big A meeting June 15.

“It was a very visually impressive race, for sure,” Yates said. “He had worked well and I expected that he would run well. It was a little bit of a 'Wow' for me.”

Wow, indeed.

Backed as the second choice at odds of 2-1, Rated by Merit was gunned to the front from his inside draw and was hounded by 4-5 favorite and fellow firster Forged Steel (Vekoma) through an opening quarter in :22.27. Traveling nicely while under a snug hold approaching the quarter pole, the Florida-bred kicked for home with authority, and, despite hanging on his left lead for most of the stretch, increased his advantage to the wire to win for fun.

Rated by Merit returned to the worktab with a four-furlong breeze in :50.04 (5/7) at Gulfstream Park July 30. A target for his next start is still to be determined, according to Yates.

“He came out of the race good,” Yates said. “Just had an easy half-mile maintenance breeze. He's doing very well.”

He continued, “We're just gonna go one step at a time. Right now, we're not exactly sure what race we're gonna point to. He's gonna breeze a couple more times before we decide.”

Rated by Merit hails from the third crop of Battalion Runner, who carried the Viola family's colors to a pair of in-the-money finishes in the 2017 GII Wood Memorial Stakes and GIII Dwyer Stakes. The son of Unbridled's Song stands for $2,500 at Ocala Stud. The W.S. Farish-bred and -raced Banner Waving won one of 11 career starts. She brought $19,000 from St Elias while in foal to Catalina Cruiser at the 2020 Keeneland November sale.

“This is the first horse that I've trained for them,” Yates said. “He's a Florida-bred and a homebred and they were looking for a Florida-based trainer to place some horses like that with. I'm happy to have him. He's the only one that I have for them.”

Yates, represented in back-to-back renewals of the GI Kentucky Oaks with Dorth Vader (Girvin) and Fiona's Magic (St Patrick's Day) in 2023-24, took out his trainer's license in 1991. The native of Ocala is also the owner and operator of the 50-acre Shadybrook Farm, the home of his dozen broodmares and a five-furlong training track. Yates currently has 28 horses in training at Gulfstream Park.

“It's always nice when you have a young horse with a lot of raw talent,” Yates concluded. “That's what we do this for. You just never know where one like this is gonna come from.”

Rated by Merit wins by a daylight in race 2 under @JockeyRios! #GulfstreamPark #RoyalPalmMeet pic.twitter.com/7FfDLqsChX

— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) July 13, 2024

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Gatewood Bell has been appointed to serve on the management committee of Equibase Company LLC, announced company chairman Ian D. Highet.

The vice president of racing for Keeneland and a third-generation horseman, Bell also served as president of Cromwell Bloodstock for a decade before joining Keeneland as well as previously serving on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. He has been a member of The Jockey Club since 2020 and serves as a member of the Breeders' Cup. Bell fills the vacating board seat of James Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club, who joined as a representative of the latter in 2007.

“Gatewood brings a unique skillset with his background and current role at Keeneland,” Highet said. “We look forward to his sharing his extensive knowledge from both his personal and professional involvement in the Thoroughbred industry to the committee.”

Bell added, “I love the industry and have been lucky to have been involved in many aspects of it, including as a racehorse owner. Equibase is vital to our industry, and I look forward to working with the other committee members and contributing to this mission.”

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Modernist (Uncle Mo) will shuttle to Chile and stand at Haras Dadinco for the Southern Hemisphere 2024 season, it was announced via presser Friday.

The winner of the GII Risen Star Stakes and the GIII Excelsior Stakes with on-the-board finishes in three other graded contests, he'd retired to Darby Dan in 2022 and bred 280 mares in his first three years at stud.

Modernist hails from the female line of Broodmare of the Year Sweet Life (Kris S.), who also produced his dam's half-sisters GI Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (now Distaff) victress MGISW Life is Sweet (Storm Cat) and her full-sister, champion 2-year-old filly MGISW Sweet Catomine. This is the extended family of GIII Bay Shore Stakes placed Victory Way (City of Light) as well as recent Azalea Stakes-placed Candy Gray (Twirling Candy).

Modernist's first foals will be yearlings of 2024, and he will be represented by three of them in the New York-Bred Sale in Saratoga next week Aug. 11-12.

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