Thoroughbred Daily News

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There could be another weekend of racing at Saratoga Race Course in 2025, if a plan being considered by the New York Racing Association is adopted.

Although the racing would take place at the historic upstate facility, NYRA officials said it technically would not be an expansion of the 40-day Saratoga season. If the proposal is approved, the Fourth of July weekend–July 4 falls on a Friday–at Saratoga would be the final days of the Belmont of Aqueduct meet. The Saratoga season would begin on Thursday, July 10.

“That requires Board approval. That requires state approval,” NYRA president David O'Rourke said. “You're just asking me, what's on the table, what we're thinking about? That's one of the things we're thinking about.”

The changes, most notably moving the GI Belmont Stakes to Saratoga this year and in 2025, is due to the reconstruction of Belmont Park.

For the second consecutive year, the GI Belmont Stakes will be held in 2025 at Saratoga on June 7. This year, it was surrounded by a four-day festival.

NYRA spokesperson Patrick McKenna said that, under the proposal being discussed, racing would return to Aqueduct for three more weeks and then move back to Saratoga Race Course for the final weekend of the Belmont at Aqueduct meet.

McKenna said that if such a plan is approved to finish the Belmont at Aqueduct meet at Saratoga in 2025, it may be for just one year pending the re-opening of Belmont Park.

Although there has been a great deal of speculation in Saratoga this summer that NYRA would stay upstate after the 2025 Belmont Stakes, O'Rourke said that would not happen. However, O'Rourke noted that the field for the GI Belmont Derby this year might have been negatively affected because more of the horse population was already upstate due to the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Festival. Closing the Belmont at Aqueduct meet at Saratoga in 2025 and running the Belmont Derby there might mitigate that problem.

“We pretty much have to go back after the Belmont for access to the grass,” O'Rourke said. “There is one race that might be interesting to move up here. That would be the Belmont Derby, because that's the last weekend down there.

“What we saw when we went back from a racing aspect is it was great to get a lot of divisions, specific divisions, access to the turf, but some of the higher-quality horses were waiting for Saratoga and might have impacted the Belmont Derby a little bit. The Belmont Derby belongs to Belmont Park, but in the near term, that might be one thing, but that's a far cry from not going back down south.”

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In her debut, Quickick (McKinzie) ran well to be third but couldn't overcome a slow beginning as she dropped 15 lengths off the pace in the early going. So trainer Tom Amoss added blinkers and jockey Dylan Davis made sure to stay close to the early pace. That made all the difference as Quickick broke her maiden in Sunday's seventh race at Saratoga, winning by 2 1/2 lengths.

Amoss also told Davis to try to get the filly to the outside where she wouldn't be bothered by the kickback. She broke from post one.

“I told him if she's not taking that dirt in the face move her out,” Amoss said. “Dylan did just that. When he did she kicked home nicely.”

Quickick was sent off as the 4-1 third-choice in the race as the money kept rolling in on two first-time starters, favorite Scottish Lassie (McKinzie) and second-choice Snowyte (Good Magic). Both ran well as Snowyte set the pace and Scottish Lassie was never far back in third. By mid-stretch Snowyte had taken a one-length lead and Scottish Lassie was right behind her. But the more experienced filly, Quickick, outran them all in the final sixteenth to earn the win.

“Having a race under your belt, knowing what to tell the rider and the rider having experience with the horse,” Amoss said.  “That's the advantage of having a race under your belt.”

Owner Gregory Tramontin bought Quickick for $550,000 at the 2023 Keeneland sale. Amoss had some inside knowledge on the dam, as he trained her. She made 17 starts and won five races, including the GIII Winning Colors Stakes.

“Her mom, Graeme Six, was a little bitty girl,” Amoss recalled. “She came up to New York and placed in a Grade I stakes (the 2007 Prioress) and that made her a momma. She's been a really prolific momma. Quickick is is a great example of the babies she's had. Quickick is the polar opposite of her mom. She's tall and lengthy.”

Graeme Six (Graeme Hall) has had 11 foals and 10 of them are winners. The list includes Cali Star (Street Cry {Ire}), the winner of the 2015 GIII Rampart Stakes, and Delightful Joy (Tapit), the winner of the GIII Monmouth Oaks, also in 2015.

Amoss is eager to test his filly against tougher competition.

“We talk about it all the time,” he said. “I'll talk to the owner, Greg Tramontin. I know he is excited about her too. We would like to see how she competes with the other 2-year-old fillies in the nation going a little further distance and going two turns.”

Quickick covered the seven furlongs in 1:23.78 and paid $10.40. She was also sold at the 2022 Keeneland November sale, where she brought $275,000.

7th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 9-1, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:23.78, ft, 2 1/2 lengths.
QUICKICK (f, 2, McKinzie–Graeme Six {GSW & GISP, $338,854}, by Graeme Hall) recovered from a poor beginning to come on for third at odds of 4-1 in her debut over course and distance Aug. 11. Away at those same odds but racing with the addition of blinkers Sunday, the $550,000 Keeneland yearling got off to a better start and found herself mid pack behind Snowyte (Good Magic). With an inside trip that had her poised for a run off the turn, Quickick tipped outside of that pacesetter to get first jump with race favorite Scottish Lassie (McKinzie) moving with her, got up on even terms past the eighth pole and spurted clear late to deny the early leader by 2 1/2 lengths. The seventh winner for her freshman sire (by Street Sense), Quickick is out of $950,000 broodmare buy Graeme Six, already the producer of this winner's half-siblings Seymourdini (Bernardini), SW, $242,027, Cali Star (Street Cry {Ire}), GSW, $348,080 and Delightful Joy (Tapit), GSW, $179,200, who herself has produced GSW Window Shopping (American Pharoah). Graeme Six returned to McKinzie two subsequent times but after Quickick but failed to catch for both 2023 and 2024. She was bred to Olympiad for 2025. Sales History: $275,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $550,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $67,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Gregory Tramontin; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD & Whisper Hill Farm LLC (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss.

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Some say the Boy Scout bugle merit badge is one of the toughest to collect. In Thoroughbred racing it is winning a dirt race from way off the pace.

In his Sunday debut at Del Mar, the 'TDN Insighted' Bullard (Gun Runner–Reve d'Amour, by Warrior's Reward) sounded his bugle and charged home to graduate, which earned the 2-year-old a 'TDN Rising Star' merit badge for his effort.

Trailing from the bell, the $675,000 Keeneland September grad watched from the rear of the field as 60 cents on the dollar favorite Kalea Bay (Authentic) carved out the fractions. Unwilling to accept the order to retreat in a situation like this one, the colt blew a ruffle and a flourish around the far turn and began to execute a mounted raid on the field. Picking off competitors the dark bay got clear to the outside at the top of the lane and set his sights on the pacesetter. With a massive kick, Bullard collared the fading leader in the final jumps and earned the equivalent of a Boy Scout bugler.

Acquired by Borges Torrealba for $310,000 at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Reve d'Amour is responsible for six foals, five to race and four winners. So far, her most accomplished offspring is SW Mundaye Call (Into Mischief), who OXO Equine took home for $950,000 during the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Yearling Sale. The winner is his dam's last registered foal of record, but he does have a 4-year-old half-brother in Chad Brown's care named Cascais (Into Mischief).

Digging into this extended female family, Bullard's French multiple groups stakes winning second dam is responsible for MSW Martha's Moon (Malibu Moon) and GSW Can the Man (Into Mischief). While under his third dam we find MGISP Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), who produced champion 3-year-old filly Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and her older half-brother GISW Jazil (Seeking the Gold).

Bullard represents the 15th 'TDN Rising Star' for the accomplished Gun Runner.

1st-Del Mar, $77,800, Msw, 9-1, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.32, ft, 1 1/4 lengths.
BULLARD, c, 2, Gun Runner
                1st Dam: Reve d'Amour, by Warrior's Reward
                2nd Dam: Smolensk, by Danzig
                3rd Dam: Blush With Pride, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
Sales History: $675,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $45,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-St. Elias Stable, Talla Racing LLC, Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds; B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy.

#3 BULLARD ($8.80) runs down Kalea Bay to break his maiden on debut in the opener at @DelMarRacing. @umbyrispoli rode the two-year-old colt by @Three_Chimneys' Gun Runner for trainer @mwmracing. pic.twitter.com/5f7mmbMmjY

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 1, 2024

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6th-Del Mar, $76,500, Msw, 8-30, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:09.06, ft, 5 lengths.
SEISMIC BEAUTY (f, 3, Uncle Mo–Knarsdale {SP, $103,692}, by Medaglia d'Oro), a $400,000 FTKNOV weanling turned $550,000 KEESEP yearling, led into the final furlong of her Aug. 3 unveiling, but was beaten on the wire by One Magic Philly (Good Magic) while earning a 79 Beyer Speed Figure. Accordingly sent away as the 1-5 jolly and carrying the Peter Leidel colors, Seismic Beauty jumped beautifully and alternated outside a rival through an opening quarter in :21.99. Firmly in front as they hit the turn, the Maryland-bred lengthened her stride when asked after a half in an effortless :44.74 and galloped away from her rivals to graduate by daylight. Matt Dorman's Determined Stud acquired Knarsdale for $430,000 with this filly in utero at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, and the mare's current 2-year-old, Cincazul (Bernardini), was one of four horses to make $500,000 last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Sale. Her yearling daughter of Essential Quality, already named My Steel Magnolia, was hammered down to LCI for $225,000 the Fasig-Tipton July Sale and she produced a full-sister to Seismic Beauty this season before being bred to Charlatan. Sales history: $400,000 Wlg '21 FTKNOV; $550,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $60,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-MyRacehorse & Peter Leidel; B-2500 Determined Stud (MD); T-Bob Baffert.

#6 SEISMIC BEAUTY ($2.40) dominated the sixth race at @DelMarRacing.

The three-year-old filly by @CoolmoreAmerica's Uncle Mo breaks her maiden for owners @MyRacehorse and Leidel. @JJHernandezS19 was aboard for trainer @BobBaffert. pic.twitter.com/ZOwsisUJ0W

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 31, 2024

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It doesn't take long for the Kentucky Downs meeting to hit full gear, as Saturday's program features three graded contests, including the GIII DK Horse Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes, with prize money that could reach $3.1 million.

The purse remains intact should one of the 10 Kentucky-breds–eight in the main body of the field and two also-eligibles–is home first over the mile and five-sixteenths journey along the Kentucky/Tennessee border. The four foreign raiders are ineligible for the KTDF money, but the base purse of $2.5 million already makes it one of the richest Derbies in the world.

The European invader with the best form in the book is King Power's Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) for trainer Andrew Balding. A 375,000gns Tattersalls October yearling, the bay colt was a maiden winner from four juvenile appearance, accounting for future G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) going a mile at Newmarket in September. After landing the Listed Blue Riband Trial on seasonal return at Epsom Apr. 23, he was seventh to City of Troy (Justify) in the June 1 G1 Derby, but has since finished third in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot June 20 and just missed when last seen in the G3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood Aug. 1.

Cugino (Twirling Candy) heads up the home defense, having made all the running to defeat Lagynos (Kantharos) in the June 1 Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs. The latter, a consistent sort for Steve Asmussen, was subsequently an even fourth in the June 29 American Derby and was just nabbed on the line by Neat (Constitution) in the GII Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 2. Carson's Run (Cupid), victorious in last year's GI Summer Stakes, enters the Nashville Derby off victories in the June 23 Tale of the Cat Stakes and a late-running tally in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Aug. 11.

Navy Seal (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) could be one for the bottom of vertical wagers. A maiden winner and fifth in the G2 UAE Derby for Coolmore and Aidan O'Brien, the regally bred bay was purchased by Jim and Fitri Hay and was moved the barn of Wesley Ward. Third in an off-turf allowance at Canterbury June 22, he was just beaten in Saratoga allowance company by Friday's GIII Saranac Stakes winner West Hollywood (Uncle Mo) over a mile and a sixteenth July 27 and could improve for this step up in trip. His dam Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) won the 2018 GI Belmont Oaks going 10 panels.

Carson's Run | Sarah Andrew

The fairer sex features in the afternoon's other marquee races, each of which carries prize money of $1.5 million for Kentucky-breds.

Secret Money (Good Samaritan) is an 8-1 chance in the GII Ladies' Turf Sprint, having defeated Danse Macabre (Army Mule) and Bling (American Pharoah) in last year's age-restricted GIII Music City Stakes. California shipper Ruby Nell (Bolt' d'Oro), front-running winner of Santa Anita's GII Buena Vista Stakes going a mile back in March, cuts back to a sprint for the first time since winning the Unzip Me Stakes last October.

Mission of Joy (Kitten's Joy) gets some class relief in the GIII Ladies' Turf Stakes, as she cuts back to a mile off a sixth in the GI Diana Stakes, where she was beaten three lengths by the repeating Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio). Implicated (Connect) is perfect in two starts since switching to the Chad Brown barn, an easy allowance win at Churchill May 12 followed by a 1 3/4-length victory in the GII Nassau Stakes at Woodbine. Behind in second was Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}), who just failed in her repeat bid in the GII Beverly D. Stakes Aug. 11.

The Friday scratching of Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) leaves a maximum field of eight for Saturday's GI FanDuel Pacific Classic at Del Mar, with a berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic over the same course and distance on Nov. 2 at stake.

Dr. Venkman (Ghostzapper) was the 5-2 morning-line second choice behind the mare and looks to be the chief beneficiary of Adare Manor's absence. Having debuted just this time last year with a pair of victories, the bay was second in the Oct. 21 Perryville Stakes and resumed with a runner-up effort in the GII Triple Bend Stakes June 1. Bred top and bottom to handle a route of ground, Dr. Venkman took over at about the midway stage of the GII San Diego Handicap and carried Antonio Fresu to a one-length victory over Katonah (Klimt).

Dr. Venkman | Benoit

Dr. Venkman could face some pressure from Reincarnate (Good Magic) in his first try at the mile and a quarter. A two-time Grade III winner at three, the $775,000 KEESEP yearling is winless in four starts this year, but has run well in his two tries at Saturday's trip. Third to Newgate (Into Mischief) in the GI Santa Anita Handicap Mar. 3, he set the pace before weakening late to be runner-up in the GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita May 27. He exits a distant second in the 12-furlong GIII Cougar II Stakes July 25.

Middle-distance turf males compete for a 'Win and You're In' ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in the GII Del Mar Handicap earlier on the program. Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) is the two-time defending champion of the 11-furlong heat and was just up in the 1 1/4-mile GII Charlie Whittingham Stakes May 4 ahead of a somewhat troubled seventh in the July 28 GII Eddie Read Stakes over a nine-furlong trip that is short of his best. Rockemperor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) is as reliable as they come, even if it's been over two years since he last saluted. Sixth to Gold Phoenix in the Whittingham, he led late but was chinned on the wire in the 14-furlong GIII San Juan Capistrano Stakes June 16 and may want that sort of trip to bring out his best. Balnikhov (Ire) (Adaay {Ire}) ran on for third in the Read and will try this distance for the first time, while an interesting new shooter is El Encinal (Arg) (Il Campione {Chi}), last seen winning the G1 GP Carlos Pellegrini at San Isidro last December.

Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) is back to defend his title and shoulders top weight of 123 pounds in the GIII Green Flash Handicap, which offers the winner a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint over the same course and trip in a little more than two months. Beaten a length and a half into fifth as the favorite in last year's Turf Sprint at Santa Anita, the bay was a rough-trip seventh to Cogburn (Not This Time) in the GII Turf Sprint at Churchill May 4 and fourth in a six-furlong allowance in Arcadia June 16. Cal-bred Connie Swingle (Grazen) represents a real danger if building on a smooth success (99 Beyer) in the July 27 Daisycutter Handicap, her first start in 21 months. No Nay Hudson (Ire) (No Nay Never), winner of the William Walker Stakes last season at three, raids from Saratoga for Wesley Ward off a one-length fifth with trouble in a July 28 allowance.

George Krikorian's 7-year-old nails-tough mare War Like Goddess (English Channel) does not appear to have lost her zest for racing and continues a march towards a fourth consecutive appearance at the Breeders' Cup as the 7-5 morning-line favorite in the GII Flower Bowl Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. War Like Goddess was a fractionally unlucky third as the public choice in the 2021 renewal at the seaside oval.

Seventh against the boys in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf, the bay has just two runs under her belt this season, a pace-compromised third in the GI New York Stakes here June 8, but she bounced back to return a relatively generous $4 to her backers in the mile and three-eighths GIII R. G. Dick Memorial Stakes at Delaware July 7.

War Like Goddess | Sarah Andrew

Parnac (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) made every yard of the running last year, controlling a soft pace before easily holding off McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by 1 1/4 lengths. The two met again in the GII Glens Falls Stakes Aug 1, with McKulick turning the tables by 2 1/4 lengths, as favored Eternal Hope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) could do no better than fourth in her first start of the season.

The Queens M G (Thousand Words) seems to have righted the ship in her last couple of starts and looms the one to beat in the GI Spinaway Stakes. Inexplicably down the field in the June 6 Astoria Stakes, the dark bay filly lit up the tote to the tune of $91 in the opening day Schulyerville Stakes July 11 and followed suit–albeit at much skinnier odds–in the GIII Adirondack Stakes last time Aug. 4. The waters are deeper Saturday, as the competition includes Quietside (Malibu Moon), who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' at first asking for a towering 6 1/4-length debut success Aug. 4, and Godolphin first-time starter winners Pondering (Hard Spun) and Immersive (Nyquist).

In the GIII Prioress Stakes, the first of the day's three graded events on closing weekend at the Spa, Rigney Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Two Sharp (Twirling Candy) figures a handful off an 11 1/4-length graduation going 6 1/2 panels Aug. 2. Brightwork (Outwork) was to have made her 3-year-old debut in the GI Test Stakes but lost her footing in the paddock and was forced to scratch. She is an obvious threat from the outside stall.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — George Krikorian's dependable War Like Goddess (English Channel) will make her age-matching seventh career Saratoga start Saturday in the GII $500,000 Flower Bowl.

War Like Goddess has never been worse than third at Saratoga Race Course. The turf distance specialist won the 1 3/8-mile Flower Bowl in 2021, its last year as a Grade I, and was second by a neck in 2022. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott did not run her in the race last year.

The Flower Bowl will be her third start this season. She was third by 3 1/4 lengths in the GI New York on June 7 that was part of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga meet. Exactly one month later, she won the GIII Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park.

“We're well aware of the fact that she's getting a little older,” Mott said. “One day they eventually tire out, but she seems to be doing well at the moment. She's coming off of a good race, and she's going into this race seemingly quite good. There's other younger fillies in there that I'm sure are doing well, but we're still trying to compete.”

On the advice of bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, Krikorian purchased War Like Goddess for $30,000 in June 2019 of the OBS 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age sale. In two previous trips to auction she sold for $1,200 as a weanling and was an RNA as a yearling when bidding stopped at $1,000.

In a 2022 TDN story, Krikorian noted that he was not responsible for the filly's distinctive name.

“I bought her with that name and I told Donato 'I don't like that name,'” Krikorian said. “I didn't see the horse then because he was in Florida and I was out here in California when he called me about the horse. I didn't get to see her for maybe four months or five months later. When I saw her, I looked at her and I said, 'Hey, we don't need to change her name. She's beautiful. She is a War Like Goddess.'”

In her 20-race career she has proved to be a top-notch runner and a fabulous bargain with earnings of $2,775,184 from a record of 12-2-3. She has three Grade I wins, two of them over males in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. Mott has tried her twice against males in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at 1 1/2 miles and she was a rallying third by three lengths in 2022. She has at least one win in each of her five seasons of competition.

“The target this year would be the Breeders' Cup, the Filly and Mare Turf, because it's at a mile and three eighths this year at Del Mar,” Mott said. “The last two years, it's been odd distances. It's been a mile and three-sixteenths, which is a little short for her. We feel the mile and three-eighths might suit her a little better.”

In her lone appearance in the Filly and Mare Turf in 2021 at Del Mar, she made the lead in the stretch but was caught and was third by a half-length.

At 1 3/8 miles, War Like Goddess is 4-1-1 from six starts.

It's fair to say that Pyrenees (Into Mischief) has been a project for trainer Cherie DeVaux and owner-breeder Blue Heaven Farm that is turning into a success story. He enters the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Sunday on an upswing with four wins and a second in his last five starts.

Pyrenees Thursday morning at the Spa | Sarah Andrew

DeVaux said the colt was a bit slow to develop, but after his career was interrupted has grown into a legitimate stakes horse. In his last two starts he won the GIII Pimlico Special and was second by 2 1/2 lengths to the now-retired Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo) in the GI Stephen Foster on June 29.

“I just think it was time and maturity,” DeVaux said. “He had a really significant injury that caused him to be off for a year. When he came back from that, he was a completely different horse. Physically, he's always been slight and a bit feminine, but mentally, he really matured.”

DeVaux said Pyrenees suffered the leg injury early in 2023 and it kept him away from racing until mid-December, when he broke his maiden at Fair Grounds. Though he was by top sire Into Mischief, early on DeVaux and her staff did not see him developing into a stakes-caliber runner.

“It would be hard to justify saying that the way he trained, in the way he was running,” she said. “It's not because it was lack of talent. He just wasn't putting it out there on the track. You could tell that there was more in there, and he just wasn't putting it out. We had tried blinkers and were going to run him in blinkers, but then when he hurt himself, we just kind of regrouped with him.”

By year's end, Pyrenees was a different horse.

“When he came back, he was breezing much better, a lot more focused,” DeVaux said. “He was so aloof as a 2-year-old. That's the only word I can use for him.”

Following the maiden-breaker, Pyrenees took the next steps on his climb with an allowance victory in late January and a three-length score at Keeneland on Apr. 12 over a sloppy track. He edged Kingsbarns in the GIII Pimlico Special, giving DeVaux her third stakes win on the program that day. While it was an important victory for the colt in his first stakes try, DeVaux said the turning point had already occurred.

“I would say Maryland kind of just solidified that we were on the right track with him,” she said. “I was really impressed with his race at Keeneland. Then again, he followed it up with the Stephen Foster where then you're stepping up into Grade I company. It was a tough race, and he was there. I just think it actually might have been just a touch too short for him.”

DeVaux said the decision was made to bypass the GI Whitney and point Pyrenees for the 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup.

“He had done a lot in a short amount of time,” she said. “At some point we had the discussion that if he is going to make it to the Breeders' Cup, he's going to need a little break. Not a break from training, but just a break in racing. We decided that was probably the best opportunity after the Stephen Foster to just give him a little time for his next race.”

White Abarrio (Race Day)'s break from training and a vacation on a farm has ended and he has returned to the care of trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. at Saratoga Race Course.

“He's back here,” Joseph said. “He's back training. He's back galloping.”

White Abarrio on Friday | Sarah Andrew

White Abarrio's owners moved him from Abarrio's barn to Richard Dutrow, Jr.'s stable in May 2023. He went on to finish third in the GI Met Mile then won the GI Whitney Stable and the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. This year he was 10th in the G1 Saudi Cup. After finishing fifth in the Met Mile run at Saratoga, he was sent back Joseph, who decided he needed a break.

“It was just give him a change-of-mind piece and see if he could drop himself down and relax,” Joseph said. “And he did. It just felt like he had nervous energy. He just wouldn't let himself down and was anxious, anxious, anxious.”

Joseph said the goal is to prepare the 5-year-old for the GI Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park.

“That's kind of where he needs to get to and everything's kind of working backwards from there,” Joseph said. “How we get there, we don't know yet. There's possibilities. He could run in October, November, if everything went right, but we don't want to set a date and have to be changing. He's going to tell us. After a couple breezes, then we'll be able to come up with a formal plan.”

Joseph said White Abarrio would remain at Saratoga for a while after the meet ends on Monday.

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The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) has granted a temporary stay of enforcement to connections in six pending total carbon dioxide (TCO2) cases, all of which are out of Pennsylvania.

In total, 11 of the 14 pending and resolved TCO2-related cases reported since the advent of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) have concerned horses that ran in Pennsylvania. Of the three other TCO2-related cases, one ran in California and two were out of Ohio.

When asked about the reason behind the temporary stay of enforcement, HIWU spokesperson Alexa Ravit wrote in an email that the agency continuously reviews all adverse analytical findings, “and is currently conducting a review of TCO2 analysis at the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory (PETRL).”

The PETRL, affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, analyzed all samples collected for TCO2 testing within the state.

Five of the 11 Pennsylvania-related cases concerned horses that ran at Penn National, five ran at Parx Racing, and one ran at Presque Isle Downs.

“We cannot comment on the details of the review at this time, but if anything is found that affects the outcomes of the pending cases, that will be made public when the cases are resolved,” Ravit added.

High total carbon dioxide (TCO2) levels could be an indication of bicarbonate loading–otherwise known as “milk-shaking”–which can neutralize the build-up of lactic acid in muscles, thereby helping the horse's performance. TCO2 is also naturally occurring in a horse's system.

According to HISA's rules, the alkalization or use or administration of an alkalizing agent is prohibited on race day, and a TCO2 blood threshold in excess of 37 millimoles per litre (mmol) is reportedly evidence of “international administration.”

Eight of the 14 cases have already been resolved. The trainer in each of the cases was issued a 30-day suspension and a $2,500 fine. This includes Salvador Naranjo, whose trainee Fever tested positive for TCO2 after running at Los Alamitos on Dec. 9 last year.

According to Ravit, HIWU issued a temporary stay in the enforcement of that case due to the, at the time, pending federal intra-articular injection rule changes.

“The affected Covered Person had penalty points from an intra-articular injection violation that were revoked (and the stay on the case lifted) upon implementation of the new HISA Racetrack Safety Program rules,” Ravit explained.

In Naranjo's case, the sample was analyzed by the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at UC Davis.

Trainer Carlos Lopez was similarly issued a 30-day suspension and $2,500 fine due to two of his trainees testing positive for TCO2 after running at Belterra Park on Aug. 10 last year. Those samples were sent to the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Analytical Toxicology Laboratory.

According to Richard Hackerman, who represents one of the trainers with two pending TCO2 cases, he finds it “extraordinarily unlikely that there's a rash of milk-shaking going on in Pennsylvania and virtually nowhere else in the country.”

HIWU does not collect B samples when conducting TCO2 testing. However, trainers can request in advance the collection of a duplicate sample. In Pennsylvania, the duplicate samples go to PETRL, as per HISA's rules.

“The official Sample and any duplicate Sample shall be analyzed by the same Laboratory. If the Agency, in its discretion, determines that the duplicate Sample cannot be analyzed within 5 days after the Sample is collected, the findings of the official Sample shall be final,” the HISA rules state.

This is not the first time questions have been raised about testing procedures at laboratories contracted for use by HIWU.

At the end of last year, the TDN reported on testing uniformity difficulties arising from different testing equipment, testing methodologies and sets of staff interpreting the results between the then-six laboratories contracted for use by HIWU.

Internal reviews of the laboratories had uncovered different limits of detection in blood for the diabetes drug Metformin and for benzoylecgonine (BZE), a metabolite of cocaine.

In light of the review, HIWU explained that it had subsequently harmonized its “testing sensitivity” in blood across the six labs for these two substances, and that it would repeat the harmonization process for other drugs, including banned substances.

Earlier this year, HIWU severed its contract with the University of Kentucky's Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory due to questions raised about the lab's performance, and about “personnel” matters related to the former lab director, Scott Stanley. The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) also suspended its accreditation of the UK Lab.

Investigations into these matters at the UK Lab are still ongoing.

According to Ravit, there is no deadline for the stay to be lifted in the pending TCO2 cases while HIWU continues its review.

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Stronach Stables's Macho Uno, Eclipse Award-winning champion juvenile and whose progeny include GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Mucho Macho Man, was euthanized at the age of 26 due to liver complications at his home at Adena South Aug. 30, according to a Friday press release from 1/ST Racing.

A son of Horse of the Year Holy Bull bred by Adena and a half-brother to Breeders' Cup Classic winner Awesome Again, Macho Uno won on debut at Saratoga for trainer Joe Orseno in July 2000. After he was third in the GI Hopeful Stakes, Macho Uno won the GI Grey Breeders' Cup at Woodbine. The colt would follow that up with a score over future Hall of Famer Point Given in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Macho Uno's 3-year-old campaign was delayed until July due to an ankle injury. Once his season began, the grey won the GIII Pennsylvania Derby and was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The colt returned the next year with a victory in the GII Massachusetts Handicap and he was fourth in the GI Whitney Handicap before ending his racing career with a fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Arlington.

At stud, along with siring Mucho Macho Man–himself the sire of GISW Mucho Gusto–Macho Uno claims Grade I winners Macho Again, Private Zone, Tolomeo and V I P Zone.

The stallion was represented by 17 crops prior to being pensioned to Adena South in 2020.

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Santa Anita will once again implement the “Ship and Win” program for the 2024 Autumn Meet, which kicks off Friday, Sept. 27. The incentive program is designed to attract horses from outside California.

Horses from out of state who made only one start at the Del Mar Summer Meet will remain eligible for Santa Anita's Ship and Win purse bonus provided they did not make an additional start elsewhere. Eligible horses will receive $4,000 guaranteed for their first start at Santa Anita, as well additional bonus money in excess of listed purses.

“The Ship and Win program is now well known throughout the country and it should continue to attract a significant numbers of horses,” said Santa Anita Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Jason Egan. “We have a great facility at which to race and train with the best turf racing in America at this time of the year, which provides tremendous incentives for those considering stabling here in Southern California year-round.”

Santa Anita will inaugurate the California Crown at the meet on Saturday, Sept. 28.

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Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (THS), a 501c3 nonprofit which utilizes retired racehorses in therapeutic programs promoting the mental health and well-being of New York residents, will be unveiling a new state-of-the-art indoor arena and group therapy space Sept. 4 at its Saratoga Springs facility. Local officials and members of Congress will attend the ribbon cutting.

“We are thrilled to unveil our new indoor arena, which represents a significant step forward in our mission to support mental health in our community,” said Dr. Erin C. Sisk, founder of THS. “With this facility, we can now offer our services year-round, ensuring that more individuals and families can benefit from the healing power of equine-assisted psychotherapy.”

The new arena was constructed with the grant funding awarded to THS through DASNY, New York State's capital project development authority, through the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program (NICIP).

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Pegasus Stakes winner Salute the Stars (Candy Ride {Arg}) was an RNA in the inaugural auction from BidXSell, a company that aims to change the way people buy and sell horses online by charging a $500 fixed fee as a commission.

The four-year-old colt is owned by Gary and Mary West.

“This was a successful sale any way you look at it,” said Saeed Almaddah, President and CEO of Silk Road LLC, which developed the platform. “First, Salute the Stars was a great horse to debut the site with. He is a talented, classy horse with a market value that brought thousands to the site from all over the world. The horse was digitally pulled out of the stall over 2,000 times. Secondly, and most importantly, we showed the thoroughbred industry worldwide that our auction platform unleashes the power of the digital auction market directly into the hands of the stakeholders at a significantly lower cost. The seller of Salute the Stars was exceptionally pleased with the unique visibility the BidXSell platform offers. Sellers know exactly who has interest in their horse, mirroring the physical sale structure of knowing how many times and to whom a horse has been shown and vetted. The seller knows the region of the world most interested in the horse, how to adjust the reserve, and is ultimately in full command of the outcome. The emergence of BidXSell creates a new era in which consignors, breeders, farms, and agents are no longer held hostage by auction houses in the digital marketplace.”

The company said that it would announce future U.S. sales.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After Filoso (City of Light) won the sixth race Thursday, the celebration was a heady concoction of relief, joy and optimism.

The relief followed what at times had been a harrowing trip in the one-mile $100,000 maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds at Saratoga Race Course. Twice, jockey Dylan Davis had to check the colt in traffic yet he managed to stay on course with their rail-hugging journey for a 3 ½-length victory.

“It wasn't a pretty trip today,” trainer Chad Summers said. “Dylan did a great job. He's riding phenomenal right now this year at this meet. Out of that chute, he broke well, but, man, he almost took him over the fence, had to settle and make a couple runs.

“For a 2-year-old, you want to get experience. He got that experience today, which is the most important thing.”

Owner Al Gold, who operates as Gold Square LLC, and his buddies had big fun saluting their pal Louis Filoso, for whom the colt was named. They had him set up for the post-race television interview before his namesake was led from the track into the winner's enclosure. Filoso, 73, a resident Ocean Township, N.J., 10 minutes from Monmouth Park, said he was a partner in Gold's first horse 30 or so years ago.

Summers look care of providing the details of how he selected and purchased the colt for $210,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale and the plan to try to get him to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Summers said either the GI Champagne at Aqueduct or the GI Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland would be next. Gold quipped that he was voting for the two-turn Keeneland race.

Davis had to take a hold of Filoso to avoid trouble as the field bunched exiting the chute into the first turn. While T Kraft (Connect) led the way through pressured opening fractions of :24.71 and :48.28, he kept Filoso in a ground-saving position about a half-dozen lengths back. They got closer approaching the half-mile pole but briefly had to retreat again. In the turn, they gobbled up ground with a dynamic burst of speed and had a four-length lead at the top of the stretch.

Filoso and Davis completed the mile in 1:39.00 with a comfortable advantage over Stephen Baker's Spurgeon (Honor A.P.) BC Stables's American Promise (Justify) was another three lengths back in third. Filoso went off a 7-1 and paid $16.80.

“He's what we thought was always our best 2-year-old kind of from the time we bought him,” Summers said. “He was bred by Oisin Murphy and the boys over there at Hunter Valley. They're excited because the sister sells in Book Two next Wednesday. They're rooting along with us today.”

Filoso debuted on July 20 with a fourth-place finish, 3 ½-lengths behind Incentive Pay (Volatile)  that Summers said set him up well for the maiden victory.

“He was always looking like a two-turn horse, and we didn't really know what to do,” Summers said. “So we figured run him first time short, going six furlongs, give him the experience. A little slow switching leads, he was learning. Kind of a big baby, figuring things out.

“If you watch the race, he really finished up well. Chad Brown was always going to win the race that day, but he was closing with a flourish. He galloped out past the field and gave us a lot to be excited about.”

Summers said they found Filoso at Keeneland by following their policy of due diligence.

“It's a 4,000- to 5,000-horse sale, and we look at every single horse of the sale,” he said. “You make your short list and you go back, and you go back a second time, and you have to like them more the second time than the first time. This horse we liked more the second time, and then we liked him even more the third time. It was just kind of love at first, second, third sight. And he kind of proved us right with how he matured and kept going.”

6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-29, 2yo, 1m, 1:39.00, ft, 3 1/2 lengths.
FILOSO (c, 2, City of Light–Kenda {SW, $115,915}, by Bodemeister), fourth in his debut sprinting six panels here July 20, was given a 7-1 chance to regroup while stretching to a mile here. Sixth in the early going, the dark bay inched into contention along the inside turning for home. Taking over straightening for home, he proved much-the-best to score by 3 1/2 lengths over longshot Spurgeon (Honor A.P.). From the family of recent GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial winner Domestic Product, Kendra dropped a Maxfield filly last season and followed up with a Mandaloun colt this term. She was bred back to Forte. Sales history: $210,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $61,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Gold Square LLC; B-Hunter Valley Farm & Oisin Murphy (KY); T-Chad Summers.

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The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) Yearling Sale (Ontario division) concluded Wednesday, Aug. 28 with increases in average and median over the 2023 edition, while a colt by Nyquist topped the sale when bringing $250,000.

The topper, consigned by Bernard and Karen McCormack of Cara Bloodstock, went to Clay Scherer, agent. The colt (hip 88) is out of Mrs. Hudson (Street Cry {Ire}) and was bred by David Anderson of Anderson Farms. He is a half to SW Airosa (Uncle Mo), while his dam is out of MGSW Sara Louise (Malibu Moon), who is the dam of MGSP and 'TDN Rising Star' Nash (Medaglia d'Oro).

“On behalf of the CTHS, we thank and commend our Ontario breeders for bringing forward an exemplary group of Ontario-sired and -bred horses,” said Anderson, who is also president of the CTHS Board of Directors. “Our sale continues to produce champions and offers a great return on investment for buyers. Thanks to everyone who bid and purchased. Thank you to our board, management, and all of our industry supporters who helped make this the most successful sale we have had in recent years.

“The CTHS remains committed to promoting and supporting the Canadian Thoroughbred industry and looks forward to building on this success in future sales. Plans are already underway for next year's event, which promises to be even bigger and better.”

Held at the Sales Pavilion at Woodbine Racetrack, the sale's average was $26,500, which marked an 11% increase over 2023. The median also rose to $19,000, which was up 27% from the previous year. In total, 143 yearlings sold for $3,727,700.

Full results can be found here.

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Saratoga Springs, N.Y.–While it wasn't the scenario he expected at the beginning of the month, trainer John Ortiz will be busy late Saturday afternoon saddling the fillies Brightwork (Outwork) and 'TDN Rising Star' Quietside (Malibu Moon) in consecutive stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

First up will be WSS Racing's Brightwork in the GIII $200,000 Prioress Stakes, scheduled for 5:04 p.m. ET. Immediately after the six-furlong Prioress, Ortiz will scoot back to the paddock to prepare Shortleaf Stable's Quietside in the $300,000 GI Spinaway Stakes, which Brightwork won last year.

When the Saratoga meet started July 11, Ortiz, 38, had Brightwork targeted for her 2024 debut in the GI Test Stakes Aug. 3. He was optimistic that the talent Quietside was showing him in the training would carry her through her maiden special weight race and lead to a start in the seven-furlong Spinaway.

That first weekend of August got off to a rough start for Ortiz when Brightwork flipped in the paddock and was scratched. Things improved the next day as Quietside turned in a sparkling 6 1/4-length maiden-breaking victory in the first race of the day.

Last summer, Brightwork continued her ascent in the 2-year-old filly division with wins in the GIII Adirondack Stakes and the Spinaway. The problem in the paddock prevented her from trying to improve to 3-0 at Saratoga.

“That day, she was just a little too excited,” Ortiz said. “She was feeling really well, and we knew this going into it, but I just didn't expect her to go up. When she did, she lost her footing and kind of just rolled on her side and got a little bit of a road rash right behind the ankle. It was very superficial, but still, the vets made the right decision of taking care of the horse and I appreciate that.

John Ortiz with Quietside after maiden win at the Spa | Sarah Andrew

“Moving forward, she didn't miss a day of training, and her works have been great.

She looked a little bored in one of the works, so I put her in a little bit of company with Boss Lady Bailey (Connect). She chased her down the stretch and they finished together. It was a very good workout with a really good time. You can still see that she's still enjoying what she's doing. All systems are go and I think the Prioress is definitely our second-best spot to start.”

After Saratoga, Brightwork finished off the board in the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland, which was her first career loss, and she was sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. The Ortiz trainee has not competed since.

“We had a little minor setback early in the winter,” Ortiz said. “I gave her some more time off, and she came back ready to go. We wanted to get her a start before Saratoga, but the Test was definitely the one race we were working backwards from. Obviously, that didn't happen. Hey, God had a different plan for us that day, and hopefully winning the Prioress is part of the bigger plan.”

Quietside, a homebred from John Ed Anthony's Shortleaf Stable, was never far from the early pace and drew away from the competition in the stretch, which cemented her 'Rising Star' status.

“I told [Anthony] that this filly actually reminded me a lot of Brightwork when she came in,” Ortiz said. “Same type of frame. Same kind of mentality, She's a little bit more feisty than Brightwork was, but I also like that about her, that she's just got a little bit more attitude. She's just as powerful-looking.

“Hopefully lightning strikes twice here for us, and we can get back-to-back Spinaway wins. It's asking a lot, for sure, for a 2-year-old, but I don't run my horses until I feel comfortable and confident in them to do so. She's one that I'm very, very, very confident in.”

The last trainer to win consecutive runnings of the Spinaway was Tony Dutrow with Grace Hall in 2011 and So Many Ways in 2012.

With a powerful performance in his maiden debut over a muddy track on Whitney Day, Aug. 3, newly minted 'TDN Rising Star' Ferocious (Flatter) more than lived up to the hype that surrounds a high-priced horse. From that 7 3/4-length success following a slow start, the $1.3-million OBS March grad trained by Gustavo Delgado moves on to the GI Hopeful Stakes, Monday's closing day showcase.

Ferocious Thursday morning | Sarah Andrew

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

Delgado, Jr., who works with his father, said the maiden score made the Hopeful the logical second step.

“He did pretty good there,” Delgado, Jr. said, smiling. “When they win like that you always think to the next race. He got a 96 Beyer figure, and then the other numbers were pretty good as well. You always think what could be next. He came back in good form. There is nothing that we can say about finding a reason not to run in the Hopeful here in Saratoga. If you're lucky, you run twice in the meet. Everything has been good. So far, so good.”

Ferocious has breezed twice since the maiden win and his connections liked what they saw those mornings.

“We don't usually ask them much, in terms of time,” Delgado said. “He did what we want, a good gallop-out. Solid. Good energy.”

Ferocious drew the rail in his first race and did not get away well from the gate but under veteran Javier Castellano was able to recover and easily complete the assignment.

“He had to rush, catch them, then wait, and then re-break again,” Delgado, Jr. said.

“Maybe, if he gets a better post this time, he'll try to settle and relax a little at the beginning. That's kind of the plan.”

Trainer Kenny McPeek said Thursday that Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) is doing well following her big performance in the GI Travers Saturday, where the rallying filly finished a head behind Fierceness (City of Light). Both achieved 'Rising Star' status.

The 'Amazing Race' | Tod Marks

“It's been a couple of light days. Pretty basic stuff,” McPeek said. “Just easing her back into things before we gallop her tomorrow. She jogged a mile and galloped a mile today.”

McPeek opted to skip the GI Alabama Stakes and try his standout filly against males. Repole Stable's Fierceness trained by Todd Pletcher looked to be on his way to a solid victory, but Thorpedo Anna closed the gap in the final furlong and fell short of overtaking the 2023 champion 2-year-old colt.

“Amazing race,” McPeek said. “Tough beat, but that's the way it goes. Todd did a great job with his horse.”

McPeek said he has received a lot of positive feedback about the performance Thorpedo Anna turned in.

“Even the naysayers have come around and said, 'Oh, wow, she ran huge,'” he said. “I think she's probably gotten more accolades being as competitive as she was. She could have won the Alabama, but I think she enhanced her resume.”

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Keeneland's first flash sale in three years closed Thursday afternoon, resulting in Harlee Honey (Harlan's Holiday) selling for $240,000 to Miss Vicky Stables and Ocean Honey (West Coast) going to Ocean Honey Partners for $48,000. The former is the dam of G2 Richmond Stakes winner Black Forza (Complexity), while the latter is Black Forza's 4-year-old half-sister.

The 2-year-old Black Forza is headed to Sunday's $1-million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint after clearing quarantine from the UK Monday.

“Keeneland is thrilled to have had the opportunity to showcase these two outstanding individuals from the family of the Black Forza,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “This unique collection and the Flash Sale itself accomplished what we were looking for: a high level of interest and active buyer participation. The sale recorded more than 1,500 unique visitors from all corners of the world, with our international agents fielding interest from buyers in Europe, Australia, and Japan, among others. We are very pleased with the response.”

Consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, agent, Harlee Honey is a half-sister to GSW California Nectar (Stormy Atlantic). She sold in foal to Zandon. The winning Ocean Honey was consigned by Paramount Sales, agent as a broodmare prospect.

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Pennsylvania's Parx Racing has issued a statement following news the turf course at the Bensalem track has been closed due to dangerous conditions. For background on the situation, which included the breakdown of Causes Trouble (Creative Cause) Aug. 24, please click here. HISA released a statement earlier Thursday indicating a series of tests will be run.

Thursday afternoon, officials at Parx released their own statement. It appears in full and unedited below:

“The recent spurious comments made by the President of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horseman's Association, Bob Hutt, regarding the turf course at Parx and its executives are patently false and misleading.

“At Parx Racing, the safety of both the horsemen and horses is paramount and has always been our number one priority. To that end, our turf and dirt tracks were certified by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) in 2018 and, in June of this year, the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory inspected and approved both tracks. Parx Racing also employs numerous individuals who are experts in evaluating the safety of the tracks and Parx spends significant sums every year to ensure the tracks' good condition.

“Additionally, jockeys and trainers are always given an opportunity to inspect the tracks prior to racing, and Parx employees consistently collaborate with them to ensure racing safety. We at Parx will not hesitate to cancel racing if we feel that conditions for racing are unsafe and we can categorically say that we would not have run races on the turf course on August 24 if we felt that it was not ready for racing. Prior to August 24, the turf course had not been run on since July 10. This 6+ week span between races allowed significant recovery time for the turf course and the track was well-suited for racing by the morning of August 24.

“Parx Racing welcomes any and all investigatory efforts to be made by the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission (PHRC) and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), a federal agency tasked with overseeing national, uniform integrity and safety rules for thoroughbred racing in the United States. Parx Racing commits to fully cooperate with both of these agencies' inquiries and has already hosted a representative from HISA who has inspected the turf track. In addition, Parx Racing has been at the forefront of cooperating with regulatory officials to stamp out the rampant and pervasive use of illegal substances by unscrupulous trainers on their horses, which HISA has sought to address.

“It goes without saying that Parx is saddened by the loss of Causes Trouble during its 33rd career start. Horseracing can be a dangerous sport, and these dangers can sometimes lead to horse injuries without the fault of any individual or entity. For context, according to HISA data, Parx's fatality rate is in line with, or better than, the national average and we commit to continue to ensure that it remains so. As for the turf course specifically, prior to the tragic fatality last weekend, there had been only one turf fatality in the last five years. Parx Racing takes pride in the condition of both its dirt and turf courses, as well as all of the successful races held at the track on 150 days out of the calendar year.

“As such, Parx Racing will continue to cooperate with the Commission, HISA, or any other regulatory body to ensure the safety of our racing product.”

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Encouraging undergraduates to enter equine practice after graduation, Opportunities in Equine Practice Seminar (OEPS) will hold a two-day seminar starting Friday, Aug. 30 at the Griffin Gate Marriott in Lexington, Kentucky, the organization said in a Thursday release.

Reestablished in 2023 after a ten-year hiatus, the event hosts third-year veterinary students (Class of 2026) with practitioners from around the country to present their experiences in various disciplines. The estimated 325 attendees will be able to engage in interactive discussions with industry partners, tour equine hospitals, local horse farms and Keeneland.

Dr. Craig Lesser, the lead organizer of OEPS, said, “With dwindling numbers of students pursuing careers in equine practice, we aim to inspire and equip students with knowledge about the vast opportunities within equine practice that make our careers uniquely gratifying.”

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Mentee (City of Light), the two-year-old full-brother to GI Travers Stakes winner Fierceness (City of Light), came down with laminitis after his winning debut on June 15 at Aqueduct. According to owner Mike Repole, who revealed the news on the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland, the situation was so severe that the colt is “lucky to be alive.”

However, Mentee recovered so well and so quickly that he is set to start in Monday's GI Hopeful S. at Saratoga.

Mentee broke his maiden by a nose, defeating another promising juvenile in Colloquial (Vekoma) in an effort that suggested he was well on his way to becoming a stakes winner. However, shortly after a July 7 workout at Saratoga, trainer Todd Pletcher caught the problem.

“He had a fever and when he got his fever it was from a puncture wound,” Repole explained. “(Trainer) Todd (Pletcher) caught it early. Thank goodness that he did because the horse had acute laminitis.”

Repole said that the colt spent 10 days at an equine clinic in Saratoga before returning to Pletcher's Saratoga barn.

“You know what, we are lucky that he is alive,” Repole said. “This could have went one way or the other. That's what laminitis does. Thank God Todd discovered this and got him to the doctors so quickly.”

Repole also gave credit to his assistant racing manager Danielle Bricker.

Mike Repole | Sarah Andrew

“Shout out to Danielle, who is amazing,” Repole said. “She slept in the stall with the horse for a couple of weeks. Maybe that helped get him back to where he is today. She went to visit him three times a day.”

Repole said that the problem is behind Mentee and that he has been sharp since being put back into training. He's had three drills since his return, the latest being a five-furlong work in 1:01 on Monday over the main track at Saratoga.

“It got a little nerve wracking, but he has rebounded really well. He's come back and had three good works, which is amazing. For him to rebound like he has, we feel great about that.”

Repole, who has owned numerous graded stakes winners, said this is a part of the sport that often gets ignored.

“This is the behind-the-scenes story that a lot of people don't see,” he said. “Sometimes they'll tell you, you retired a horse too early or you have to keep the horse around for the fans. They don't understand the stress and anxiety that Todd Pletcher, my team and myself wake up to every day. I'd wake up and ask Todd how Fierceness was doing before I would check on my wife and daughter. No disrespect to them, but they'd be sleeping, so I knew they were ok. There is a lot of stress, especially when you care as much as we do. And most owners and trainers are the same way. The horses are family. You feel the pressure for them to perform.”

Fierceness was last year's 2-year-old male champion. He has been inconsistent but appears to have gotten over that with back-to-back wins in the GII Jim Dandy S. and the Travers. He is expected to make his next start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-Just the mere fact that a $3,500 yearling has won two races of any kind at Saratoga this summer, puts The Queens M G (Thousand Words) in a “that's impressive” category. In the GI Spinaway Stakes Saturday, she will try to add to her reputation by completing the rare sweep of the track's three stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

The Queens M G scored in the 5 1/2-furlong Schuylerville Stakes, long the opening day feature, by 2 3/4 lengths at 44-1 July 11. She crushed the six-furlong GIII Adirondack Stakes field by nine lengths Aug. 4 at 5-2. The seven-furlong Spinaway, first run in 1881, is the final test. It drew a field of 11.

Even though the Saratoga meeting has grown from 24 days over four weeks to 40 days over parts of nine weeks, it has become downright unusual for horses to complete in each of the three races. According to Equibase, in 2021, Saucy Lady T (Tonalist) was the first filly to run in all three races since 1996. She was third each time.

Nineteen fillies have completed the Schuylerville-Adirondack- Spinaway series since 1976 and the D. Wayne Lukas-trained Over All in 1987 is the lone winner of all three during that stretch. L'Alezane in 1977 won the first two races, but was fourth in the Spinaway.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said that the timing of the Spinaway is right for The Queens M G, owned by C Two Racing Stable and Mathis Stable.

“She's in good form, she's shown the right signs, so why not?” he said. “You don't have to do as much for her in between races. You just have to keep her training light, as far as that she had an easy breeze, and just basically continue on.”

The Spinaway will be The Queens M G's fifth career start. She debuted with a win by a head in the Keeneland maiden special weight at 45-1 Apr. 7 and ended up last of seven after a rough trip in the Astoria Stakes during the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga meet in June.

“We kind of feel like we are the leader right now,” Joseph said. “A lot of them may lack the experience and maybe it's more on why let them catch up? That's kind of the approach. Obviously, the filly has to be doing well or else we wouldn't be here. She's doing well, and it's a Grade I. She's coming off her best win yet. It feels like she's improved. Obviously, she ran bad in the Astoria. Then in the Schuylerville she won; didn't really expect that. Then it felt like we had her at her best going into the Adirondack and she ran like that. Hopefully, if she can repeat something similar to last time, we should have a good chance.”

In addition to GI DraftKings Travers Stakes winner Fierceness (City of Light), Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is aiming his three older horses, Tapit Trice (Tapit), Bright Future (Curlin) and Crupi (Curlin) for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Bright Future, the 2023 winner, and Tapit Trice are headed to the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Sunday at Saratoga, while Crupi is scheduled to make his next start in the GII Woodward Stakes Sept. 28 at Aqueduct.

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables' Bright Future made his 2024 debut June 15 with a win in the GIII Salvator Mile Stakes at Monmouth Park. He was never a factor while finishing eighth in the GI Whitney Stakes Aug. 3.

“He didn't fire in the Whitney,” Pletcher said. “The track was sealed for the race, and [jockey] Javier [Castellano] said he didn't feel like that he ever got a hold of it at any stage.”

Bright Future, who breezed a half-mile in :49.23 (29/94) Sunday, emerged as a serious stakes runner in last year's Jockey Club Gold Cup. He was sixth in the Classic and was away from the races until the Salvator Mile.

Pletcher said that Bright Future worked in blinkers and will wear them in the Gold Cup with the goal of keeping him more focused.

Tapit Trice, co-owned by Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable, returned from a long break in competition, his 2023 season ended in the Travers, to win the GIII Monmouth Cup by 5 1/4 lengths July 20.

“I thought that was a very impressive comeback,” Pletcher said. “You're always worried running a mile and an eighth off an extended layoff like that, but he handled it really well. He's been breezing great. Looking forward to going again.”

Crupi has had a solid summer, winning the GII Suburban Stakes followed by seconds in the GII Brooklyn Stakes and the Whitney.

A few days after Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic) was euthanized following a catastrophic breakdown at Saratoga in the 2023 GI Test Stakes, trainer Melanie Giddings moved the 2-year-old filly Mel's Baby Sister (Cross Traffic) into her vacant stall. Though they were both grays by the same sire with similar names owned by Bill Parcells's August Dawn Stable and had comparable personalities, they were not related. Yet they were connected.

A few days ago, Giddings announced that the decision had been made to retire Mel's Baby Sister and moved her to ReRun, which handles Thoroughbred adoption and aftercare. Giddings said that Mel's Baby Sister, who won one of five starts, played a role in the recovery from the tragedy.

“I think she helped all of us,” Giddings said. “It was just kind of a lot of things. We all made fun of the name, then it just kind of felt like it was fitting. She had a lot of fans rooting for her for the same reasons that we were. It was pretty big day when she did break her maiden. I don't think I've ever had so many calls and texts. People that were just so excited and kind of felt good about it.”

Giddings said that she and Parcells concluded that the filly could not compete in allowance company and did not want to drop her.

“We always want the best future for all of them,” Giddings said. “A big thing with the racing game in general is, if your talent level is, you know, here, you've got to go to the claiming level. He just didn't want to see her go down that road. Not to say in the claiming game that horses always end up somewhere bad, or anything like that, but she was ours.”

Giddings said she thought about trying her on turf, but that it was getting a little too late in the year to make the switch.

“I was like, she's healthy and happy right now,” Giddings said. “There's no saying if I ran her one more time, that something couldn't happen, because it's racing. Anything can happen any day. Instead of risking that, I said, 'What about retirement?' and Bill was more than happy to do that. He thrives on his horses doing well outside of here.”

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The public may have given up on Fierceness (City of Light) before the GI DraftKings Travers S., sending last year's 2-year-old champion off at 7-2. It was all about his inability to string together two good races. But owner Mike Repole remained confident and that confidence was rewarded in the Travers in a victory that put his homebred squarely in the mix for Horse of the Year.

To talk about Fierceness, and also his desire to make changes in the sport through his National Thoroughbred Alliance, Repole joined this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast, presented by Keeneland. He was the Green Group Guest of the Week.

“I've been around this game a long time and we know there's a lot more lows than there are highs,” Repole said. “So anytime you're having a high in this game, it's easy to feel better about having lows. I really feel great for Todd [Pletcher] who really puts a lot of effort into every horse. He's been around for over 25 years. I've joked with him that he's going to go down in history as the trainer who got Fierceness beat three times. That's going to be his legacy. But he did an amazing job and the horse ran super.”

Repole realizes that in the Travers it took a super effort to beat a super filly in Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna).

“One of the biggest compliments I could have given to Kenny McPeek was this…I said to him, 'Please keep this filly with the girls. I don't want to do this again.' I don't want to face her anymore. I mean, she ran an amazing race,” Repole said.

Repole has frequently discussed his frustrations with the sport. He is so bent on making changes that he created the National Thoroughbred Alliance (NTA). It is his way of having an even louder voice. One of the first issues the NTA has tackled is the aftercare situation. Repole believes that there should be a funding mechanism in place in which all Thoroughbreds are guaranteed a good home after their racing careers end.

“I think we're making a lot more progress than people think,” he said. “First of all, there's more talk over the last 10 months than there's ever been. Many people agree with what I've been saying. The only negative feedback I get is that they don't like my style. And, you know what? Other styles haven't worked for 40 years. If you can show me a style that works…that if you just come in and you hold hands and you sing Kumbaya, and that works, then I'd do it. This is a game where 90% of the people want changes, but not when it comes to something they're doing. This sport has become pretty selfish. I have to look myself in the mirror. If I want to be in this game three years, five years, 10 years, 25 years from now, I have to feel good about the sport that I'm in. And right now I don't feel good about things like horse aftercare. I don't feel good about 2-year-old sales. I don't feel good about how the sport is undermined by people on the inside. I don't feel good about the committees that are making the calls. I don't feel good about the selfishness. I've been in the game for 20 years and I love winning races. To me, though, it's more important over the next five years that I have a lead role in helping change the game for the better for the next 25 years.”

Repole noted that the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance tries to get by on a budget of $3.5 million and said that is woefully inadequate.

In our breeding spotlight section, we took a look at the WinStar stallion Independence Hall.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar, XBTV.com, McCauleys Feeds, and Stonestreet Farm, the team of Randy Moss and Bill Finley took a detailed look at the Travers, with both in agreement that it was one of those rare races that actually lived up to the hype. They also looked back at the other four Grade I races on the Saturday card at Saratoga and the GII Pat O'Brien S. at Del Mar.

Finley and Moss also discussed the Kentucky Downs phenomenon, where purses have reached levels that used to be unthinkable, and the upcoming appearance by Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) in the GI Pacific Classic S.

Click for the podcast video or audio only.

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