Thoroughbred Daily News

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Todd Pletcher were represented by Saturday's romping GI Coaching Club American Oaks winner Nest (Curlin), and wasted little time unveiling their next generation of potential stakes runners as juvenile filly Kaling (Practical Joke) turned in a promising and professional debut worthy of a 'TDN Rising Star' nod.

Off at 3-1 with an upbeat tab on display, the $220,000 KEESEP yearling showed good cruising speed early to make the early lead down on the inside. Rarify (Justify), the $750,000 half-sister to champion sprinter Runhappy (Super Saver), split horses and tugged her way to the front, but Kaling and rider Flavien Prat were plenty content to let that one go and post a :22.08 opening quarter. Randomized (Nyquist), a $420,000 acquisition herself, moved up to do the dirty work into the turn as Kaling drafted in behind Rarify. Kaling tipped out after a :45.90 half to go and get the chalk, and she strode out well from there to kick away by 2 3/4 lengths while stopping the clock in 1:12.69–a time that compared favorably to colt Blazing Sevens (Good Magic)'s own 'Rising Star'-earning performance in 1:13.34 to kick off the card. Randomized held for third.

The winner is out of a half-sister to the MGSP dam of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Summerly (Summer Squall). Her GSW third dam was second in the 1988 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Kaling has a yearling half-brother by West Coast and a foal full-brother.

6th-Saratoga, $105,000, Msw, 7-24, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:12.69, ft, 2 3/4 lengths.
KALING, f, 2, Practical Joke
                1st Dam: Proud Indian, by Indian Charlie
                2nd Dam: Shufflin n Seattle, by Seattle Slew
                3rd Dam: Darby Shuffle, by Darby Creek Road
Sales history: $220,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-John R. & Frank Penn (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.

The post Practical Joke Filly Professional for Pletcher; Named ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Stonestreet Stables' Clairiere (Curlin), forced to check in tight quarters at the top of  the stretch, found running room along the rail and knew just what to do with it, outbattling Malathaat (Curlin) and Crazy Beautiful (Liam's Map) in a stirring stretch duel before pulling away to win the GII Shuvee S. by 1 1/2 lengths Sunday at Saratoga. Caught four wide into the first turn, Clairiere was last behind moderate splits in the compact four-horse field. Malathaat was moving up on the outside as Crazy Beautiful took over the lead nearing the stretch and Clairiere was forced to steady while attempting to rally between those two foes. She found a seam to run through along the rail in upper stretch, putting away first Crazy Beautiful and then Malathaat before drawing away for her second straight Grade I triumph, completing the nine furlongs in 1:51.96.

“She broke really well. There wasn't a lot of room between the three-eighths and the quarter-pole and I just had to be there because they were going really slow,” said winning rider Joel Rosario. “She responded really well when I asked her. She was there for me. I was always looking to see where there was room to go and it looked like it opened up inside, and I just had to go with that. She did great.”

Clairiere was eclipsed by Malathaat last year, when the 3-year-old filly champion bested her in four meetings, but the Stonestreet homebred has now beaten her rival in back-to-back starts after just getting her head in front in the June 11 GI Ogden Phipps S. Clairiere, winner of last year's GII Rachel Alexandra S. and GI Cotillion S., opened the year with an optional-claiming score at Fair Grounds in March and was second behind Letruska (Super Saver) in the Apr. 23 GI Apple Blossom H. before winning her second Grade I in the Ogden Phipps.

“She kept excellent company from fall of her 2-year-old year and her whole 3-year-old year,” said winning trainer Steve Asmussen. “We sent her down to Stonestreet in Ocala to Ian Brennan off a fourth by three-quarters of a length in the [GI Breeders' Cup] Distaff. She got a little break. She went back in training down there and she came back in breezing more impressively than when she finished her 3-year-old year. I think her races have shown that.”

Of the rivalry with last year's GI Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat, Asmussen said, “We were near Malathaat in the Oaks in the paddock and [could see] how much bigger Malathaat was. Then we're next to her in the paddock here today, it's [noticeable] how comparable we are physically.”

Clairiere will now be aimed at the Aug. 27 GI Personal Ensign S.

“The Personal Ensign was the reason to be here,” Asmussen said. “She ran two solid races last year at Saratoga and we expect better this year.”

Todd Pletcher admitted he had concerns about the way Malathaat was heading to the track Sunday.

“I was very concerned leaving the paddock,” Pletcher said. “She came in super quiet. I don't know if she reacted adversely to the heat. She's normally a very classy mare and not really animated, but she was dull. She seemed to stay dull on the post parade and, for a horse adding first-time blinkers, it was just a very dull performance all the way around. I've never seen her that quiet in the paddock before.”

Pletcher continued, “It was the trip we wanted. We decided to come out and show some initiative, but he [John Velazquez] had to hustle her even to do that. And then we were hoping Joel would tuck in–we were in exactly the spot we wanted to be in, Johnny just said she put in one tenth of her normal effort.”

Pedigree Notes:

Clairiere is the first foal out of Cavorting, who recorded Saratoga victories in the 2015 GI Test S. and 2016 GI Personal Ensign S. The mare's second foal is stakes winner La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro). She has an unraced 2-year-old colt by Curlin named Judge Miller who was purchased for $550,000 by Muir Hut Stables at last year's Keeneland September sale. Barren to Quality Road in 2021, she was bred to Into Mischief this year.

Clairiere's second dam, Promenade Girl, who was twice Grade I placed, died this year. She left an Into Mischief weanling colt and an unraced 2-year-old colt by West Coast named East Side who worked four furlongs at Belmont Saturday in :48.47 (29/79).

Sunday, Saratoga
SHUVEE S.-GII, $186,000, Saratoga, 7-24, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:51.96, ft.
1–CLAIRIERE, 124, f, 4, by Curlin
                1st Dam: Cavorting (MGISW, $2,063,000), by Bernardini
                2nd Dam: Promenade Girl, by Carson City
                3rd Dam: Promenade Colony, by Pleasant Colony
O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Joel Rosario. $110,000. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 14-6-4-2, $1,909,592. *1/2 to La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro), SW, $159,460. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
2–Malathaat, 124, f, 4, Curlin–Dreaming of Julia, by A.P. Indy. ($1,050,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Shadwell Stable; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. $40,000.
3–Crazy Beautiful, 124, f, 4, Liam's Map–Indian Burn, by Indian Charlie. ($250,000 Ylg '19 FTKOCT). 'TDN Rising Star' O-Phoenix Thoroughbred III; B-Carolyn R Vogel (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $24,000.
Margins: 1HF, 1 3/4, 15HF. Odds: 1.50, 0.60, 8.80.
Also Ran: Exotic West.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Clairiere On Top in Shuvee Showdown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Jack Christopher (Munnings), who suffered his first career loss when third in his two-turn debut in the GI TVG.com Haskell S. at Monmouth Park Saturday, is expected to cut back to one turn in the Aug. 27 GI H. Allen Jerkens S. at Saratoga next time out.

“The horse ran really well and I thought he had a good trip,” trainer Chad Brown said. “He got a little quick on the final turn when they moved from [the half-mile in] :46 into [three-quarters in] 1:09. That probably emptied him a little bit. But all in all, it looked like it was a little too far. I was a little disappointed that he couldn't kick on through the lane, but he tried hard. We just shipped him up to Saratoga. As long as he comes out of the race okay, I'll cut him back and point to a race like the Allen Jerkens.”

Despite the Haskell loss, Brown enjoyed a productive day at the Jersey Shore Saturday, winning four straight graded races on the card.

“I was proud of all the horses and my team to have them all ready on a big day like that,” Brown said. “There's a lot of moving parts to get it done and they did fabulous. I'm proud of them all.”

Adhamo (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) earned his first U.S. victory following a pair of Grade I placings in the GI United Nations S. and could make his next start in the Aug. 27 GI Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Invitational.

“He got the trip we were looking for and he's been a work in progress. He looks to be continually improving and he finished off his race well on Saturday,” Brown said. “He shipped up here today, so we'll see how he bounces out of it, but surely, I would like to point to [the Sword Dancer].”

Brown added that Search Results (Flatter), winner of the GIII Molly Pitcher S., could be “possible” for the Aug. 27 GI Personal Ensign S.

The post Jack Christopher to Cut Back in Distance for Allen Jerkens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Rodeo Creek Racing's Blazing Sevens (Good Magic), representing the same red-hot trainer in Chad Brown who conditioned his champion juvenile sire (by Curlin), garnered the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction in Saratoga's Sunday opener as he stalked and pulled away from a salty-looking bunch to become Good Magic's fifth individual winner. Off at odds of 9-2 as the public seemed to struggle to find the standout, Blazing Sevens broke well from the outside, but was out-footed by a couple as Bourbon Bash (City of Light) seized a clear lead. Blazing Sevens made his three-wide move to go and confront the pacesetter into a :46.45 half, and wore down that foe past the eighth pole en route to an easy 6 1/4-length tally in 1:13.20 while galloping out like he was just getting started.

Upgrade (Flatter), a $550,000 KEESEP yearling, was third; while Kentucky invader Faithful and True (Good Magic), a fast-breezing $450,000 OBSMAR grad who ticked down to 2-1 favoritism late, rounded out the super.

Blazing Sevens is the second foal and first to race out of a half-sister to 2012 GI Jamaica H. upsetter King David (Hat Trick {Jpn}). Dam Trophy Girl (Warrior's Reward)'s pair of wins came going long on the Turfway all-weather. Trophy Girl is by the same sire who produced the dam of one of Brown's four straight graded stakes winners at Monmouth Park Saturday in GIII Monmouth Cup S. winner Highly Motivated (Into Mischief). She has a yearling filly by Constitution and a filly foal by Goldencents. The 9-year-old visited another juvenile champ in Essential Quality for 2023.

1st-Saratoga, $105,000, Msw, 7-24, 2yo, 6f, 1:13.34, ft, 6 1/4 lengths.
BLAZING SEVENS, c, 2, Good Magic
                1st Dam: Trophy Girl, by Warrior's Reward
                2nd Dam: Storm West, by Gone West
                3rd Dam: Storm Attack, by Storm Bird
Sales history: $140,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $225,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Rodeo Creek Racing, LLC; B-Tracy Farmer (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.

The post Good Magic Colt Debuts a ‘Rising Star’ for Brown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Sent off the 2-1 second betting favorite, Meiner Vision (Jpn) sat three wide the trip and battled on bravely through the final furlong to become the first Japanese winner and third overall for Mill Ridge Farm's freshman sire Oscar Performance (Kitten's Joy–Devine Actress, by Theatrical {Ire}) in an 1800-meter maiden at Fukushima Racecourse.

Drawn gate 11 in a scratched-down field of 12, the bay was nudged along early to take up a prominent position and landed three wide punching the breeze while firmly held by jockey Yukito Ishikawa. Settled nicely while maintaining his position into the final half-mile, the Apr. 12 foal remained three deep on the turn and was asked for some acceleration as they reached the top of the straight. Narrowly in front at the 200-meter marker, Meiner Vision looked to be headed for a stride or two by third choice My Reine (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}), but dug in determinedly and reported home a 3/4-length winner (SC 11).

Meiner Vision is the third foal of and first winner from his dam, $290,000 Keeneland September graduate Songoficeandfire (Dynaformer), who carried the silks of Diane Snowden and was trained by Bill Mott to placings in the 12-furlong GIII Orchid S. and GIII Bewitch S. in 2016. The mare, a daughter of G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Catchascatchcan (GB) (Pursuit of Love {GB}) and a half-sister to to Irish Group 2 winner and GI Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up Antonius Pius (Danzig), was offered by Denali Stud carrying this colt in utero at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale, where she was hammered down to Big Red Farm for $200,000. Songoficeandfire was barren to Danon Ballade (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) for 2021 and produced a filly by Gold Ship (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) Feb. 16.

Four-time Grade I winner and track-record setter Oscar Performance, already the sire of the stakes-placed Andthewinneris from 85 reported first-crop foals, stood the 2022 breeding season at a fee of $12,500.

The post Oscar Performance Represented By First Japanese Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

OCEANPORT, NJ – Gold Square LLC's Cyberknife (Gun Runner) led home a one-two finish for his sire when he charged up the rail in deep stretch to nip Taiba (Gun Runner) on the line while setting a new track record in the GI TVG.com Haskell S. at Monmouth Park Saturday. The victory gave trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux their second winner from as many starters in the Haskell following Mandaloun (Into Mischief)'s win via disqualification in the 2021 renewal of the race and put an end to a remarkable streak of four straight graded wins on the card by Chad Brown, who saddled favored Jack Christopher (Munnings) to a third-place finish.

Let go at 7-1, Cyberknife broke from the rail and was allowed to settle into stride as longshot Benevengo (Gormley) took the field through fractions of :23.50 and :46.96 while shadowed by Jack Christopher. The favorite moved to the lead after three-quarters in 1:09.93, while Geroux aboard Cyberknife was waiting for racing room and Taiba was rallying five wide into the lane. Taiba was first to overtake the tiring favorite, but Cyberknife was slicing through a narrow opening along the rail. The two sons of Gun Runner went head to head in the final strides with Cyberknife just getting the better of his foe in the last jump. The final time for the nine furlongs was 1:46.24, lowering the track record set just four races earlier when Highly Motivated (Into Mischief) won the GIII Monmouth Cup S. in 1:46.53. The previous nine-furlong record at Monmouth Park had stood since 1985 when GI Kentucky Derby winner Spend a Buck covered the distance in 1:46.80.

The win, which rewarded the victor with an automatic berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, was a hometown score for New Jersey native Al Gold of Gold Square LLC.

“This is a very big deal for me personally,” Gold said. “I started betting horses when I was a kid and have owned horses for 40 years. You always have fantasies. You want to win the Kentucky Derby and all the big races, but this is one of the ones I really wanted to win. We go to the [Aug. 27 GI] Travers next and we'll see where we are. And we're on our way to the Breeders' Cup.”

Cyberknife won the Apr. 2 GI Arkansas Derby, earning a spot in the GI Kentucky Derby. The colt faded to 18th after chasing a hot pace in the Derby, but came back to outnose Howling Time (Not This Time) in the GIII Matt Winn S. at Churchill Downs last time out June 12.

“I think this is his best race to date,” Cox said of Cyberknife's Haskell victory. “Throughout the race I thought he looked very professional with the way he handled himself. At the quarter-pole, Florent Geroux had a nice hold of him and he was loaded. He responded well when asked. He flew at the end. I am very proud of him. He was able to settle. Florent took a good hold of him and then made a run up the backside and got him in position along the rail. Florent looked like he had a lot of horse when he turned for home. He was just figuring out whether he was going inside or outside of the leader. It looked like he made the right decision staying to the inside and we were able to hold off Taiba. It was a big effort. I'm very proud of this horse and our whole staff. He's been a challenging horse at times. A lot of the good ones are.”

With his third-place finish, Jack Christopher was suffering the first loss of his career while making his first start beyond a mile. The loss put a stop to a streak of four straight graded tallies on the Haskell card by Brown, who won the Monmouth Cup with Highly Motivated, the GIII WinStar Matchmaker S. with Lemista (Ire) (Raven's Pass), the GIII Molly Pitcher S. with Search Results (Flatter) and the GI United Nations S. with Adhamo (Ire) (Intello {Ger}).

A crowd of 22,138 attended the races on a stifling hot day on the Jersey Shore Saturday, wagering $1,303,642 on track. All-sources handle totaled $19,896,954–up from the 2021 figure of $16,414,535, but off the record mark of $20,479,392 set in 2020.

Pedigree Notes:

Gun Runner, third in the 2016 GI Kentucky Derby, also came into the Haskell off a win in the Matt Win, but the champ was fifth in the Oceanport oval's signature race. Cyberknife is one of five Grade I winners for the Three Chimneys stallion, who has also been represented by this year's GI Preakness S. winner Early Voting and 2021 2-year-old filly champion Echo Zulu.

Cyberknife's dam Awesome Flower was a multiple stakes winner and three times graded placed for breeders Ken and Sarah Ramsey. She has an unraced 2-year-old colt by Tapit named Tapit Shoes–who was purchased by the BSW/Crow Colts Group and trainer Brad Cox for $300,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale–as well as a weanling colt by Authentic. She was bred back to Gun Runner this year.

The Haskell winner's third dam, Well Dressed, produced G1 Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed (Tiznow), Grade I placed Helsinki (Distorted Humor) and graded winner Witty (Distorted Humor), dam of graded winner Bombard (War Front) and multiple graded placed Amuse (Medaglia d'Oro). Also under the third dam is Grade I winner American Patriot.

Saturday, Monmouth Park
TVG.COM HASKELL S.-GI, $1,017,500, Monmouth, 7-23, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:46.24, ft.
1–CYBERKNIFE, 122, c, 3, by Gun Runner
   1st Dam: Awesome Flower (MSW & MGSP, $556,593), by Flower Alley
   2nd Dam: Formalities Aside, by Awesome Again
   3rd Dam: Well Dressed, by Notebook

($400,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEL). O-Gold Square LLC; B-Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $600,000. Lifetime Record: 9-5-2-0, $1,596,520. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Taiba, 122, c, 3, Gun Runner–Needmore Flattery, by Flatter. ($140,000 Ylg '20 FTKOCT; $1,700,000 2yo '21 FTFMAR). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Bruce C Ryan (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $200,000.
3–Jack Christopher, 119, c, 3, Munnings–Rushin No Blushin, by Half Ours. ($145,000 RNA Ylg '20 FTKSEL; $135,000 Ylg '20 FTKOCT). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud and Peter M. Brant; B-Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $100,000.
Margins: HD, 2, 4HF. Odds: 7.80, 2.10, 0.70.
Also Ran: Howling Time, Benevengo, King of Hollywood, White Abarrio, One Time Willard.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Cyberknife Leads Home Gun Runner Exacta in Haskell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Adhamo completed a straight graded pick 4 for trainer Chad Brown and Flavien Prat while providing his conditioner with a fifth victory and second in a row in the U.N.

A winner of the G3 Prix la Force last April for Freddy Head and Wertheimer and Frere, the bay's final European start was an eighth in Longchamp's G2 Qatar Prix Dollar Oct. 2, but that didn't dissuade agent Hubert Guy from going to €250,000 to pick him up that same evening at Arqana's Arc sale.

He resurfaced and rallied from out of the clouds to miss by a head in the GIII Fair Grounds S. Feb. 19, was third as the favorite in Churchill's GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic S. on the GI Kentucky Derby undercard May 7, and most recently finished second to speedy stablemate and defending U.N. champ Tribhuvan (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}) in the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan S. on Belmont S. day June 11.

Adhamo broke sluggishly but settled in midpack on the fence and traveled strongly as Tribhuvan took up his usual spot on the front end, doling out splits of :24.70, :48.86, 1:13.26 and 1:36.35. Adhamo was guided to the outside heading for home as the frontrunner continued on strongly like he might complete his Presious Passion impersonation. Adhamo bore down on his stablemate at the head of the lane and was met with momentary resistance, but he found a final burst leaving the sixteenth pole to settle the issue.

“He didn't break super sharp and I was a little worried with post one. But the pace was fair, a little slow but fair, and he relaxed well,” said Prat, who piloted Tribhuvan in this race 12 months ago. “When they slowed it down he was pulling me. I had to be patient and wait to get out. He made a great run in the stretch. When I tipped him out he was ready to go. I think I have won two or three stakes races in a row, but never four in a row like this.”

Brown said of the winner: “He's been a little unlucky this year. He's still a little bit of a work in progress. I'm still trying to figure out what his best distance is, and ground and such. I was pretty confident going in to today that if he was able to get out in the clear and with a little bit extra ground to work with that he could run down a horse as good as Tribhuvan, and he did. He's a pretty talented horse. We're still figuring the horse out.”

Saturday, Monmouth Park
UNITED NATIONS S.-GI, $618,000, Monmouth, 7-23, 3yo/up, 1 3/8mT, 2:12.68, fm.
1–ADHAMO (IRE), 118, c, 4, by Intello (Ger)
1st Dam: Foreign Tune (GB) (SW & GSP-Fr, $161,614), by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
2nd Dam: Gwenseb (Fr), by Green Tune
3rd Dam: La Popesse, by St. Jovite
1ST GRADE I WIN. (€250,000 3yo '21 ARARC). O-Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb & Louis Lazzinnaro LLC; B-Wertheimer et Frere (IRE); T-Chad C Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $360,000. Lifetime Record: 15-5-3-3, $755,090. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Epic Bromance, 118, g, 6, Kitten's Joy–Anura (Ire), by Giant's Causeway. ($50,000 Ylg '17 FTKTUR; $100,000 2yo '18 OBSAPR). O-Epic Racing LLC; B-Kenneth L & Sarah K Ramsey (KY); T-J Kent Sweezey. $120,000.
3–Temple, 124, g, 6, Temple City–Desant, by Quiet American.
1ST G1 BLACK-TYPE. ($19,000 RNA Wlg '16 KEENOV; $75,000 Ylg '17 FTKTUR; $75,000 RNA 2yo '18 OBSAPR). O-Paradise Farms Corp & David Staudacher; B-Mark Toothaker & Dan White (KY); T-Michael J Maker. $60,000.
Margins: 1HF, HD, HD. Odds: 1.80, 72.70, 12.30.
Also Ran: Tribhuvan (Fr), Gufo, Carpenters Call, Kentucky Ghost, Glynn County, Mohs, He'spuregold. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

Adhamo is the second highest-level winner for 2013 G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Intello (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}) and, like 2018 G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Intellogent (Ire), he's out of a mare by a Green Desert stallion. Invincible Spirit is now the broodmare sire of four Grade I/Group 1 winners (three in the Northern Hemisphere).

Adhamo hails from a typically deep Wertheimer family. He's a half to a pair of stakes-placed runners in France, including 2-year-old and recent Prix Roland de Chambure third Neversay (Fr) (No Nay Never), and his dam is out of a group winner and kin to four stakes performers, including multiple Group 2-winning full-sister Impassable (Ire).

The post Brown Win Streak Continues with Adhamo in United Nations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House's Nest (Curlin) found herself somewhat surprisingly on the lead early in Saturday's GI Coaching Club American Oaks, but still left little doubt as to who the top sophomore filly in the country is right now as she galloped home 12 1/4 lengths clear of main rival Secret Oath (Arrogate) in the Saratoga stretch.

Having seen a three-race win streak snapped when she settled for second as the favorite to Secret Oath in the May 6 GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, Nest was coming off a solid second to stablemate Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) in the GI Belmont S. June 11. Despite having lost a two-length decision to Secret Oath in their prior match-up, Nest was installed the public's 4-5 pick over the last-out GI Preakness S. fourth finisher.

Expected pacesetter Society (Gun Runner) was one of the two inside runners to break awkwardly, and Nest immediately to their outside was ridden along by Irad Ortiz, Jr. to seize the narrow lead with Nostalgic (Medaglia d'Oro) and Secret Oath not far behind while one and two paths off the fence, respectively. Society was headstrong in behind the leading trio, and snuck up the fence midway on the first turn to take over briefly. Nest put a head back in front after the opening quarter of :24.10 and before the :47.46 half.

Secret Oath was given her cue by Luis Saez to challenge Nest entering the home bend, and the stage appeared set for a throwdown that could very well decide Eclipse honors at the end of the year. But by midway on the turn it was clear that Nest had far more to give, and the bay quickened nicely with a couple reminders from Ortiz in upper stretch before being wrapped up late.

“My plan was not to be on the lead, but I wanted to break good out of there,” Ortiz said. “Honestly, that was the main thing and I tried to break, and she broke clean and I realized the other filly didn't break well. So I said, 'let's go, Plan B.' I was in front and didn't panic. I just let her do her thing. That was [how] the race came up. Everything changed when the gates opened and I just let her do her thing and she did the rest.”

A five-length debut romper routing at Belmont last September, Nest was a close third in the Tempted S. that November before making the grade by a neck in Aqueduct's nine-panel GII Demoiselle S. Dec. 4. She resurfaced to dominate Tampa's Suncoast S. Feb. 12, and doubled up by daylight in Keeneland's GI Central Bank Ashland S. Apr. 8 ahead of her Oaks and Belmont appearances.

“It's funny how you spend a lot of time analyzing a game plan and then, as they say, everything can change at the break–which it did today,” said Pletcher, winner of a record eight renewals of this event, including one each previously in back-to-back years for Repole (Stopchargingmaria {Tale of the Cat}, 2014) and Eclipse (Curalina {Curlin}, 2015). “The main thing is we wanted to establish some position, get away smoothly and get to the first turn in a forward position. We were able to do that even though everyone wasn't positioned exactly where we thought they would be. It turned out to ultimately to have those four fillies bunch up together and [Nest] was able to fend off the challenge from Secret Oath and keep going.”

Nest and Secret Oath are both likely to return for the 10-panel GI Alabama S. Aug. 20. As for the decision to run in this spot as well, Pletcher said, “We've run a lot of horses in the Belmont over the years, but we've never had one come out any better than she did. She had great energy and she gained weight since that race. She gave us every indication she was ready to run back. Originally, we thought we should wait for the Alabama, but she was just doing too good to bypass this race.”

The runner-up's trainer D. Wayne Lukas, Pletcher's former boss, offered: “I think coming in here, shipping in is always difficult. The winner ran a super, super race. She won fair and square. We hung a little bit. We needed, I think, to have been a little tighter on this track. Coming in here and shipping from out of state is tough–it always has been, and I've been here 50 years. It's always been a place where you do a little better if you have an out over it. But the good news is we'll have another shot.”

Saturday, Saratoga
COACHING CLUB AMERICAN OAKS-GI, $485,000, Saratoga, 7-23, 3yo, f, 1 1/8m, 1:51.04, ft.
1–NEST, 121, f, 3, by Curlin
                1st Dam: Marion Ravenwood (SW, $112,598), by A.P. Indy
                2nd Dam: Andujar, by Quiet American
                3rd Dam: Nureyev's Best, by Nureyev
($350,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and House, Michael; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 8-5-2-1, $1,405,550. *1/2 to Dr Jack (Pioneerof the Nile), MSP, $156,155; Full to Idol, GISW, $426,964. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Secret Oath, 121, f, 3, by Arrogate
                1st Dam: Absinthe Minded (MSW & MGISP, $607,747), by Quiet American
                2nd Dam: Rockford Peach, by Great Above
                3rd Dam: Strawberry Skyline, by Hatchet Man
O-Briland Farm; B-Briland Farm, Robert & Stacy Mitchell (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. $100,000.
3–Nostalgic, 121, f, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro
                1st Dam: Been Here Before (SP), by Tapit
                2nd Dam: Connie Belle, by Storm Cat
                3rd Dam: Minister's Melody, by Deputy Minister
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-William I. Mott. $60,000.
Margins: 12 1/4, 3, 2HF. Odds: 0.95, 1.20, 20.30.
Also Ran: Society, Butterbean.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

One of Curlin's 18 Grade I winners, Nest is the third daughter of the two-time Horse of the Year to take the CCA Oaks, joining the aforementioned Curalina and 2020 heroine Paris Lights. She is bred on the same cross with A.P. Indy as stablemate and 2021 champion 3-year-old filly Malathaat, who looks to avenge a narrow loss to Clariere (Curlin) in last month's GI Ogden Phipps S. in Sunday's GII Shuvee S.

Both Clairiere and Paris Lights are out of mares by top broodmare sire Bernardini, and Nest's stakes-winning dam Marion Ravenwood is bred on the same cross as Bernardini, being out of a Quiet American mare herself.

In addition to Nest and 2021 GI Santa Anita H. hero Idol, Marion Ravenwood is responsible for $275,000 KEESEP '21 yearling Lost Ark (Violence), who took his unveiling by 5 1/2 lengths for Pletcher and Harrell Ventures earlier this month at Belmont. Out of GSW/GISP and $2.5-million FTKNOV seller Andujar, Marion Ravenwood was barren to City of Light in 2021 and was bred to both Quality Road and Curlin for 2022 but a foal has not been registered as of now.

The post Nest Romps in CCA Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

3rd-Delaware, $43,350, Msw, 7-23, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:06.99, ft, 3 3/4 lengths.
PRINCESS CHESSIE (f, 2, Irish War Cry–Sensible Shoes, by Songandaprayer) became her freshman sire (by Curlin)'s first winner with this 18-1 longshot rally from the back of the field. The David Bloom homebred settled off the pace early in sixth, improved her position through the bend, and launched a wide bid that carried her over the top late by 3 3/4 lengths. The 9-5 favorite Rowsie Express (Golden Lad) followed that one in for minor awards. Princess Chessie is the most recent winning addition for her dam, followed by a yearling and 2022 filly by Holy Boss. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $24,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O/B-David Benjamin Bloom (MD); T-Baltazar Galvan.

The post Irish War Cry Gets First Winner at Delaware appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

1st-Saratoga, $105,000, Msw, 7-22, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.49, fm, head.
APPRAISE (IRE) (c, 2, Kodiac {GB}–Champagne Or Water {Ire} {SW-Ire, $109,065}, by Captain Rio {GB}), given an unconvincing 11-1 chance for his first time to the races, came away in the front group despite mild contact with Inflation Nation (Ire) (Speightstown) at the break. Beat to the lead by both Clubhouse (Speightstown) and Alibi Ike (Munnings), he chased in third into the far turn before coming three wide past the quarter pole. He took over with a furlong to run and, under left-handed urging, held on to just edge out Inflation Nation by a head on the line. This is the female family of MG1SP Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). The winner has a yearling half-sister by Mehmas (Ire) who is her dam's last reported foal. Sales History: 85,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 180,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Mr J & Mrs L Scott (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown.

The post Kodiac Longshot Wins On Debut At The Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Manitoba Jockey Club, operator of Assiniboia Downs Racetrack, has requested that its provincial regulator conduct a review of the fifth race on the track's July 20 card. Jockey Sheldon Chickeness, aboard King Witt (Five Demon Bag), turned for home some five lengths in front in the maiden-claiming event before appearing to pull his mount up. Once passed by the majority of the field, King Witt re-rallied to ultimately finish second.

“The unusual nature of the stretch drive from race five last night has caused us to reach out and make this request,” the club's CEO Darren Dunn said in a press release Thursday. “When I watched the race in real time, my first reaction was that the jockey was pulling the horse up due to a potential injury. When the jockey re-engaged the horse after the balance of the field caught up and then began to aggressively ride the horse to the finish line, the sudden change was very concerning.

“Though in our opinion there would not have been any adjustment to the ultimate order of finish in the race, due to a lack of any interference with any other horses, the fact that there was no inquiry posted by the stewards created great concern with the public from a perception standpoint. As such, we felt we needed to act and make this formal request.

“To be clear, we have full confidence in our regulator and stewards and value the significant experience they bring to our industry. We trust that they may already be reviewing this situation on their own. However, in light of what we saw last night as an operator and the significant feedback we have received, we felt an obligation on behalf of our customers and the ASD Live brand to crystallize our position of concern on this very important matter.

“While we can't instruct or direct our regulator on how to act on this matter, our request is for a formal review and the issuance of a statement on their findings that we can share with the public.”

The post Assiniboia Downs Requests Review of Race appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With the safety of equine and human athletes in mind, and with excessive temperatures and heat indexes predicted, live racing Monday, July 25 has been cancelled at Colonial Downs.

Their scheduled, featured stakes–the $150,000 Colonial Cup at 1 1/2m on turf–will now be run Wednesday, July 27 as originally drawn. Live racing resumes Tuesday, July 26 at 1:45p.m.

The post Colonial Downs Cancels July 25 Racing Over Heat Concerns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With high temperatures and humidity in the forecast, and in the best interests of its horses, horsemen and fans, the Maryland Jockey Club has pushed back post time for the live 10-race program at Laurel Park Saturday, July 23. The first race, a 5 1/2 furlong claiming sprint for maiden 3, 4, and 5-year-old fillies scheduled on the All Along turf course, will go off at 1:50 p.m. rather than the usual 12:40 p.m. starting time during the 37-day summer meet. The National Weather Service forecast calls for abundant sunshine and a high of 95 degrees Saturday, and near-record temperatures approaching 98 degrees Sunday. Laurel previously had its scheduled July 24 program moved to Thursday, July 28.

The post Near-Record Heat Pushes Back Laurel Park Post Times appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Jockeys know how to warm up their mounts, but they're also warming up their vocal cords in Saratoga and Del Mar in advance of the third annual “Riders Up! Battle of East-vs-West” jockey karaoke contests to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).The Saratoga jockeys are first out of the gate Sunday, July 31 at Vapor Night Club.

NYRA track announcer Tom Durkin will emcee, and this year's judges are LRE Racing, racehorse owner Lee Einsidler, trainer Graham Motion, New York Racing Association Fox Sports host Laffit Pincay III, and founder of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy. The Del Mar jockeys will try to outdo their east coast rivals at Belly Up Aug. 7. TVG host Mike Joyce will emcee with judges Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO, Joe Harper and TVG host Todd Schrupp.

Both contests will be streamed live via PDJF's Facebook page and after the judges on each coast name their favorite performance, the public will vote for their favorite online via Facebook and Twitter.

General admission tickets (includes one drink coupon) for each person are $75 with 7:45p.m. entry to Vapor Night Club and 7:45p.m. entry to Belly Up. A limited number of VIP tickets are available at each venue for $150 which includes early entry 6:00p.m. local time at both venues, open reserved seats, two drink coupons, and a buffet dinner with the jockeys. Performances are scheduled to begin at 8:00p.m. local time. Both events feature live and silent auctions and a cash bar. Patrons must be 21 years of age or older to enter the premises. Tickets are now on sale.

The post Jockey Karaoke Night is Back for PDJF Benefit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Freshman New York stallion COMBATANT (Scat Daddy-Border Dispute, by Boundary) will shuttle to Haras Porta Pia in Chile for Southern Hemisphere duties, announced officials at Rockridge Stud July 22. Combatant stood his first year at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, NY and was well-received by breeders. The half to GSW Long Lashes (Rock Hard Ten), SP Bordini (Bernardini), and GSP Mythical Border (Johannesburg) retired with a record of 30-4-5-6, and earnings of $1,062,915. The 2020 GI Santa Anita H. winner is a syndicated stallion.

The post Combatant to Shuttle to Chile in 2022 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Michael Beychok, the 2012 National Handicapping Championship winner, has made plenty of headlines this year. A well-known, outspoken horseplayer, Beychok joined the latest episode of Bettor Things with Joe Bianca this week to talk about his class-action suit against Bob Baffert surrounding the since-vacated 2021 Kentucky Derby victory of Medina Spirit, his vow to move his handle to sports betting in response to drug issues in racing, the approach to tournament play that helped him win the NHC, his day job as a political consultant and more.

Also this week, Bettor Things welcomed its first sponsor in the Breeders' Cup. To kick off a handicapping series that will precede each of the six nationally-televised Breeders' Cup Win and You're In programs leading up the World Championships Nov. 4-5 at Keeneland, Bianca broke down all angles of this week's GI TVG.com Haskell invitational S. at Monmouth Park, a qualifier for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. Though the bulk of the wagering money will be on big names Jack Christopher (Munnings) and Taiba (Gun Runner), Bianca is taking a shot against the favorites and also threw in an all-stakes Pick 4 play for Saturday at the Jersey Shore oval. Click here to watch the show; click here for the audio-only version or find it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The post Former NHC Champion Michael Beychok Joins Bettor Things with Joe Bianca appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Registration is now open for the Global Symposium on Racing, which will be held Dec. 5-7 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Now in its 48th year, the Symposium is the world's largest racing conference attracting top industry professionals who gather to discuss racing's challenges and opportunities. A full agenda of topics and speakers will be released later this summer.

The Symposium offers an opportunity to network with colleagues and interact with industry peers; all while supporting the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP). This year, all RTIP alumni will receive free registration to the conference and special events are planned to reconnect the broad alumni base.

To register for the Symposium, visit www.racingsymposium.com

The post Registration Now Open for the Global Symposium on Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

According to a report on the website Legals Sports Report, TVG is about to get a new look, one that could include less emphasis on horse racing.

The website is reporting that TVG will be renamed FanDuel TV, which will become the first “watch and wager TV Network in the U.S.” TVG2 will be renamed FanDuel Racing. The FanDuel Group, a huge player in the sports wagering and daily fantasy sports markets, is the parent company of TVG. The changes are expected to take place in September.

Programming geared towards sports betting will begin each morning at 5 a.m. eastern and will conclude at 9 a.m. The 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. slot will be what the website calls a “SportsCenter-style show” that will be hosted by Kay Adams. Adams is a former host on the NFL Network and her hiring is hailed by the website as a “big-name acquisition.”

The good news for racing fans is that TVG plans to continue to highlight racing through much of the remainder of the day. However, the live racing programming will include cut-ins and sports updates from FanDuel talent. It also appears that the emphasis for the nighttime program will be sports and sports wagering. According to the report, from 9 p.m on the programming will be filled by “tertiary sports with watch and wager rights, such as Korean football, pickleball and Chinese basketball.”

The news of the rebranding came just one day after it was announced that current Chief Marketing Officer Mike Raffensperger had been appointed to the newly created position of chief commercial officer. According to the report, “Raffensperger will assume oversight for FanDuel's content and programming assets, including TVG.”

FanDuel bought TVG for $50 million in 2009.

The post Report: TVG to Be Renamed, Focus More on Sports Betting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) has published a list of 47 violations of the crop rule covering its first three weeks in effect. In the future, this information will be available publicly at hisaus.org.

All 47 HISA Stewards' rulings listed below are related to violations of the crop rule.

Arapahoe – 1 (Colorado): Bryan McNiel.

Belmont – 2 (New York): Herman Harkie; Jose Gomez.

Charles Town Races & Slots – 1 (West Virginia): Victor Rodriguez.

Delaware Park – 2 (Delaware): Pedro Coronil; Carlos Eduardo Rojas.

Emerald Downs – 9 (Washington): Jose Zunino x3*; Kevin Orozco x2*; Nicolle Disdier; Kenneth Deonauth; Javier Matias x2*.

Evangeline Downs – 3 (Louisiana): Charles McMahon; Victor Hernandez; Gerard Melancon.

Horseshoe Indianapolis – 6 (Indiana): Javier Padron-Barcenas; Santo Sanjur x2*; Gage Holmes; Sonny Leon; Reyluis Gutierrez.

Laurel Park – 1 (Maryland): Feargal Lynch.

Los Alamitos – 9 (California): Edgar Payeras; Erick Garcia; Abdul Alsagoor; Francisco Orduna-Rojas; Diego Herrera; Ricardo Ramirez x2*; Cesar Ortega; Ryan Curatolo.

Mountaineer Park – 4 (West Virginia): Fausto Henrique Da Silva; Charlie Oliveros; Alex Gonzalex; Eddie Jurado.

Parx Racing – 1 (Pennsylvania): Abdel Mariano-Ramos.

Penn National – 1 (Pennsylvania): Ricardo Chiappe.

Prairie Meadows – 5 (Iowa): Elvin Gonzalez; Alex Canchari; Walter de la Cruz; Kevin Roman; David Cabrera.

Presque Isle Downs – 1 (Pennsylvania): Isaiah Wiseman.

Saratoga (New York): Jose Gomez.

VIOLATIONS INVOLVING FORFEITURE OF PURSE

Arapahoe Park: Bryan McNeil – 11 strikes – $500 fine; three-day suspension; 5 HISA class 2 points; purse redistribution.

Delaware Park: Pedro Coronil – 10 strikes – disqualification of purse.

Charles Town Races & Slots: Victor Rodgriguez – unspecified strikes – $500 fine; three-day suspension; purse redistribution.

Prairie Meadows: David Cabrera – 10 strikes – $500 fine, three-day suspension; 5 HISA class 2 points; $250 fine for whip after maximum placing.

Emerald Downs: Kenneth Deonauth – 12 strikes – $500 fine; 3-day suspension; 5 HISA class 2 points; no loss of purse as did not win purse money.

The post HISA Stewards’ Rulings Report: 47 Violations of the Crop Rule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

1st-Saratoga, $105,000, Msw, 7-21, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:10.87, sy, 4 1/4 lengths.

UP TO THE MARK (c, 3, Not This Time–Belle's Finale, by Ghostzapper) tipped his hand with a well-touted local worktab, highlighted by a half-mile gate move over the training track in :48 flat (3/37) July 7, and was backed down to 9-10 favoritism. Tracking the pace from a three-wide third through a :22.44 quarter, the $450,000 Keeneland September grad drew in on the pacesetter alongside Be There (Medaglia d'Oro) passing a half in :45.83, and those two went on with it entering the lane. Soon edging to the front, Up to the Mark drifted out at the furlong grounds, but straightened out outside the sixteenth pole and finished strong for a 4 1/4-length triumph. Citizen Mack (Quality Road) ran on late to complete the exacta. The winner shares a second dam, 1996 GI Test S. heroine Capote Belle (Capote), with MGSWMGISP Catapult (Kitten's Joy). He has a juvenile Mendelssohn half-sister named Crumbling Cookie who most recently worked a half-mile in :48 flat (4/38) July 15 at Monmouth, a yearling half-sister by West Coast and a McKinzie half-brother of this season. His unraced dam was bred to Maxfield for 2023. Sales History: $450,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

O-Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable; B-Ramspring Farm (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.

The post Not This Time’s Up to the Mark Runs to the Money at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.