Thoroughbred Daily News

A weanling colt by Gun Runner brought $2.2 million from Donato Lanni on behalf of Zedan Racing at Keeneland November Tuesday. He is a half-brother to GSW Ides of March (Ire) (Wootton Bassett).

Hip 146, consigned by Denali Stud, Agent XXIV, was produced by GI Frizette S. heroine Nickname (Scat Daddy). He was bred by Three Chimneys Farm, LLC and Brookdale Racing.

Record broken again! Hip 146, a weanling colt by Gun Runner out of Nickname, brings $2.2 million from the @DenaliStud consignment. pic.twitter.com/oP7HPjrbq5

— Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) November 4, 2025

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When 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day) was scratched in the moments before the field loaded into the starting gate for Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar, it was on the recommendation of the on-track veterinarian in a call to the stewards. Some of the horse's connections–comprised of C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber, and La Milagrosa Stable–have been vocal on social media and in the media in the days since about their disagreement with the call.

Tuesday afternoon, C2 Racing Stable posted the following statement on their X account, indicating they were retaining counsel and seeking an investigation into the event. The statement appears below in full.

“As the co-owners of White Abarrio, we are deeply concerned by the decision fo the Breeders' Cup to scratch White Abarrio from the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile only minutes before he entered the starting gate. White Abarrio had a PET scan at the Breeders' Cup request which resulted in findings normal for a race horse in training. He was also examined every day by Breeders' Cup veterinarians in the week leading up to the race, including on the morning of the race and the veterinarians deemed him fit to race. No problems were noted in the paddock pre-race and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. stated that White Abarrio warned up 'perfectly' on the track. Despite this fact, for reasons that remain unknown, the Breeders' Cup directed that White Abarrio be scratched right before the race was set to run.

“To be clear, the health and safety of our equine athletes is always of paramount importance. On that point, all parties can agree. If there were any facts or circumstances to support the notion that White Abarrio was in any way unfit to race, we would wholly support a decision to scratch him. However, in this instance, there is no such evidence. Based on what we know to date, we are very concerned that the decision to scratch White Abarrio was completely unjustified. It was certainly made for reasons that are unknown to trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. and the ownership group. White Abarrio has raced 24 times throughout his career and we always take the utmost precaution to ensure he is healthy, as evidenced by our full compliance with the pre-race examination protocols.

“Given the foregoing, C2 Racing Stable, LLC and Gary Barber have retained counsel and have asked for a full and transparent investigation into this matter. We have requested that the Breeders' Cup, the California Horse Racing Board, and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club preserve and disclose all relevant documents related to White Abarrio being scratched.

“Until such time as we determine next steps, we will not be answering any questions or making any further comments related to this matter.”

WHITE ABARRIO scratch from Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile prompts co-owners to investigate protocols. pic.twitter.com/FFBaxYbjt8

— C2 Racing Stable (@C2RacingStable) November 4, 2025

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Lush Lips (GB) (f, 3, Ten Sovereigns {Ire}–Lamyaa {GB}, by Arcano {Ire}), winner of last month's GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. at Keeneland, brought a sale-leading $3.7 million from Dixiana Farm at Keeneland November Tuesday.

Lush Lips (Hip 129), campaigned in partnership by Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Hoffman Thoroughbreds, LLC, Mrs. Paul Shanahan and Mrs. M. V. Magnier and trained by Brendan Walsh, was consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, Agent CLXXXIX.

Lush Lips was an £82,000 yearling purchase by Avenue Bloodstock, Medallion Racing, and Donnacha O'Brien at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale in 2023.

Winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland, LUSH LIPS (GB) shines at $3.7 million at #KeeNov! Consigned by @TaylorMadeSales pic.twitter.com/FLiIOv3nHN

— Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) November 4, 2025

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Justique (m, 5, Justify–Grazie Mille, by Bernardini), a MSW & MGSP half-sister to GISW Mo Town (Uncle Mo), brought $2 million from Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm at Keeneland November Tuesday.

The $725,000 Keeneland September yearling and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was campaigned by C R K Stable.

Hip 107 was consigned as a broodmare prospect by Lane's End, agent.

Justique commands $2 million at #KeeNov! The half-sister to G1W Mo Town was consigned by @LanesEndFarms and purchased by Whisper Hill Farm. pic.twitter.com/Wdsj90YVIa

— Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) November 4, 2025

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The stakes-winning Greenfinch (m, 4, Justify–Misty for Me {Ire}, by Galileo), in foal to Gun Runner, brought $1.5 million from Marette Farrell on behalf of Mt. Brilliant Farm at Keeneland November Tuesday. She is a half-sister to top-level winners Roly Poly (War Front) and U S Navy Flag (War Front). She was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency as Hip 93. The 2024 Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Cairn Rouge S. heroine was campaigned in partnership by Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor and trained by Aidan O'Brien.

#KeeNov Book 1 – Tuesday: Hip 93 – GREENFINCH (Justify), out of MG1W Misty For Me, sells for $1.5 million to @mtbrilliant from the @TaylorMadeSales consignment.

The half-sister to US NAVY FLAG, etc., is in foal to Gun Runner. pic.twitter.com/WfI4Eogbgb

— TDN (@theTDN) November 4, 2025

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A filly by Curlin realized a $1.25 million final bid from Wesley Ward at Keeneland's opening session of the November Sale in Lexington Tuesday.

Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, the February 20 foaled filly is out of Galloping Ami (Victory Gallop), Broodmare of the Year in 2016.

Offered as Hip 82, the bay is a Kentucky-bred half-sister to MGISW Kopion (Omaha Beach), Canadian Champion 3-year-old Amis Gizmo (Giant Gizmo) and GSW and GISP Ami's Flatter (Flatter.)

She was bred by Tall Oaks Farm and The Curlin Syndicate.

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Seven months after a joint agreement to drop a year-old lawsuit against Camarero Race Track over complaints about a purportedly unsafe dirt surface, the Puerto Rico Horse Owners Association, Inc. (PRHOA) is back in federal court against the island's only Thoroughbred track, alleging that Camarero and a different horsemen's group, the Confederacion Hipica de Puerto Rico (CHPR), have undertaken a “concerted scheme” to exclude PRHOA from simulcasting revenues while at the same time trying to “coerce” PRHOA members to join the rival faction.

According to the lawsuit, filed Oct. 31 in United States District Court of Puerto Rico, the defendants, which also include executives from both Camarero and the CHPR, “are jointly engaged in a pattern, scheme, and agreement, as well as acts and omissions, that violate the United States Constitution and other applicable federal statutes [and are] designed to deprive the PRHOA and its members of their rights, benefits, and lawful participation in the horse racing industry.”

These allegations represent only one side of the story in a years-long series of regulatory and legal battles between the PRHOA and the track that have been playing out at the gaming commission, state, and federal court levels.

The defendants in this new lawsuit could not be reached for comment prior to deadline for this story, but they will have a chance to answer the complaint within a court-mandated time frame.

The Oct. 31 lawsuit cited both the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (IHA) and the Puerto Rico Horse Racing Industry and Sport Act in outlining why the PRHOA believes it is entitled to “preliminary and permanent injunctions ordering Defendants to immediately resume and maintain equitable distribution of simulcast-in proceeds to PRHOA” and compensatory and treble damages of “no less” than $500,000.

“Camarero, operating under an exclusive license or franchise from the Commonwealth, administers all wagering proceeds under governmental regulation, including simulcasting, making it an instrumentality of the state,” the lawsuit stated.

“For many years, prior to PRHOA's creation, CHPR was the only association of horse owners operating at the Camarero Racetrack, consisting of the majority of the horse owners in Puerto Rico,” the lawsuit stated.

“On Jan. 23, 2007, Camarero and CHPR entered into a written agreement [that was later] renewed on a month-to-month basis by Camarero and CHPR,” the lawsuit stated.

“On Jan. 29, 2013, several licensed horse owners decided to form PRHOA, [which is now] composed of a substantial number of licensed [owners who] own a significant number of Thoroughbreds participating [at Camarero]. As mandated by state law, since PRHOA's creation, Camarero has uninterruptedly distributed simulcast in proceeds to PRHOA's members and nonaffiliated horse owners to either PRHOA or CHPR,” the lawsuit stated.

“PRHOA is not a contracting party to the Contract, and the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico expressly so held in a final and unappealable decision,” the lawsuit stated.

“However, since PRHOA's organization, Camarero and CHPR unlawfully applied the Contract to PRHOA and its members, deducting sums from the purse earnings of their horses not authorized by the Horse Racing Act, but stemming from the Contract to which PRHOA has never been a party,” the lawsuit stated.

“The Contract violates the [Puerto Rico] Horse Racing Act [and] the IHA and it is unconstitutional since it requires racehorse owners to be affiliated to the CHPR to receive simulcast-in proceeds, and it is unconstitutional since it requires racehorse owners to be affiliated to the CHPR to receive simulcast-in proceeds,” the lawsuit stated.

“On Nov. 26, 2021, PRHOA filed a suit against Camarero and CHPR in the Puerto Rico Court of First Instance, seeking the return of the illegally deducted funds and an injunction to permanently halt the unlawful practice. The State Case remains pending and unresolved as of this filing,” the lawsuit stated.

“In the meantime, Camarero and CHPR [have been] for some time conspiring to harm PRHOA and its members by means of in-person meetings, email correspondence, and other interstate electronic communications to deprive PRHOA and its members of their legal right to receive their share of the wagering on simulcast-in races arising from sources outside of Puerto Rico,” the lawsuit stated.

“Via a letter sent on Oct. 17, 2025, following private meetings between Camarero and CHPR, PRHOA received notice that beginning on Nov. 1, 2025, Camarero would cease distributing proceeds from simulcast-in wagering to PRHOA and its members,” the lawsuit stated.

“PRHOA has made multiple efforts to persuade Camarero not to do so, but all such efforts have failed. As a result, PRHOA and its members now face imminent and irreparable harm,” the lawsuit stated.

“In [a separate state lawsuit], the Puerto Rico Supreme Court further recognized that horse owners have a constitutional right to affiliate-or to decline to affiliate-with any association of their choosing, rights grounded in the freedom of expression and association guaranteed by the Constitutions of Puerto Rico and the United States,” the lawsuit stated.

“Currently, Camarero and CHPR are conditioning the payment of monies-belonging by law to all licensed racehorse owners-on those their mandatory membership in CHPR, in direct violation of constitutional protections,” the lawsuit stated.

“Camarero's decision to halt payments of proceeds from simulcast into PRHOA's members is arbitrary, lacks any statutory or regulatory basis, was made without notice or hearing, and directly violates Puerto Rico law,” the lawsuit stated.

“The exclusion seeks to coerce PRHOA's members into joining CHPR, thereby consolidating political and financial control over the racing industry. If this were to happen, only one racehorse owners' association would forcibly exist,” the lawsuit stated.

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Multiple Grade I winner Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) has been retired from racing and will stand at Lane's End for the 2026 breeding season, the farm announced.

Bred by Fifth Avenue Bloodstock, Carl Spackler was campaigned by e Five Racing before being acquired by Ace Stud.

Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' in his second career jump at Gulfstream Park after breaking his maiden by 8 3/4 lengths, he claimed his first graded victory August of 2023 when he took home the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, and claimed his initial elite-level win in 2024 in the GI Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga. He followed that up by adding the GI Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland last October and ended his '24 campaign finishing sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. He got right back to winning ways Apr. 11 by handily defeating a quality field in the GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes at the Lexington venue.

In total, the son of Lope de Vega earned five triple-digit Beyer figures during the course of a career which saw him claim six graded contests–three of them Grade I–and earn just short of $2-million dollars as an eight-time winner.

“Carl Spackler is unquestionably the best male turf miler I've ever trained. Not only is he fast, sound, and perfectly made, he also has an incredibly calm temperament that trainers dream of,” said trainer Chad Brown. “I will definitely be in the marketplace buying his best-looking offspring.”

Carl Spackler is out of Zindaya (More Than Ready), a graded performer herself in her career, and who also produced French Group-placed Sandtrap (Ire)–a full-sister to Lane's End's newest stallion. The dam is a half-sister to GISW Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley) as well as a full-sister to MSP Noble Ready, herself mother to Japanese Group-winner Noble Roger (Palace Malice). Lope de Vega is the sire of 21 Group/Grade I winners and is a top five European sire in 2025.

“Lope de Vega has been a dominant force in racing since he was named European Champion First-Crop Sire and has made a global impact,” said Lane's End's Bill Farish. “Carl Spackler had such an impressive turn of foot, consistently performing at an elite level, and with his sire line he brings exciting diversity to the Lane's End roster.”

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The dam of 2023 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic), 2024 GI Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch (Good Magic), and 2025 GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Baeza sold Monday evening at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale for $5 million to Raging Torrent Syndicate, which is affiliated with Ace Stud and Yulong Investments.

Puca (Big Brown), the reigning Broodmare of the Year, was consigned by Elite, agent, as Hip 135. The 13-year-old bay produced a colt and filly by Good Magic the last two years–full-siblings to her two Classic winners–but was sold not in foal by John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock, who had purchased her for $2.9 million at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale.

Puca is one of only nine mares in history to produce two Classic winners in the U.S.

The blue hen mare PUCA, dam of Classic/GI winners Mage and Dornoch and GI winner Baeza, sells for $5 million to @YulongInvest from the @EliteRaceSales consignment #FasigNovember pic.twitter.com/4IDHKbdHIR

— TDN (@theTDN) November 4, 2025

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The mare portion of Monday night's Fasig-Tipton November Sale started with early fireworks as champion Just F Y I (Justify), the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, sold for $4.5 million to Shingo Hashimoto for Northern Farm. The bay mare is carrying her first foal to a May 4 cover by six-time leading sire Into Mischief.

Sold as Hip 109 from the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consignment, Just F Y I is a 4-year-old who also won the 2023 GI Frizette Stakes and is out of SP Star Act (Street Cry {Ire}), a daughter of MGISW Starrer (Dynaformer).

Just F Y I raced as a homebred for George Krikorian and was featured recently by TDN in this story and video.

Eclipse Champion 2YO Filly JUST F YI i/f Into Mischief sells for $4,500,000 at The November Sale! Congrats to the connections:

B: Katsumi Yoshida
C: @HillnDaleFarm, agt#FasigNovember @spendthriftfarm pic.twitter.com/nCt5XKgGlX

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) November 3, 2025

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Chelsey Stewart, currently Chief Operating Officer of Resolute Racing, will assume the role of CEO from John Stewart effective immediately, the group announced Monday.

In addition to his wife taking over his role, children Andrew and Sarah Stewart will also step into leadership roles alongside Stewart while John's ongoing role will be limited to supporting the senior team with strategic initiatives and direction.

The Stewart family previously announced the acquisition of more than 450 acres with plans underway for an expansion of their Midway farm, which will feature a state-of-the-art French-style turf gallop training center and a dedicated area for retired and rescue horses. The farm expects to begin hiring a team to manage the operations and oversee the construction of these new facilities later this year.

“I am honored to share that Chelsey will be taking over the role of CEO of Resolute Racing,” said John Stewart. “From the outset, she has been deeply involved and instrumental in the success of our operations, originally as Director of Breeding and Bloodstock and more recently as COO. Chelsey is one of the rising stars in the horse racing industry. Chelsey has proven to be both an exceptional horsewoman and a strong organizational leader.”

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Red-hot sire Gun Runner batted 1,000 during the weanling portion of the Fasig-Tipton November Sale, with his only weanling scheduled to go through the ring Monday bringing $500,000 to the bid of Tracy Farmer. The chestnut filly, consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa as Hip 56, is out of the winning Susie's Baby (Giant's Causeway) and is a half to GSW & MGISP Family Way (Uncle Mo). The Mar. 27-foaled filly's dam is a half-sister to MG1SW and sire Caravaggio (Scat Daddy).

The new Tracy Farmer purchase was bred in Kentucky by Cypress Creek Equine.

Hip 56 f. GUN RUNNER o/o Susie's Baby sells for $500,000 at The November Sale! Congrats to the connections:

B: Tracy Farmer
C: @HillnDaleFarm, agt
Br: Cypress Creek Equine (KY)#FasigNovember @Three_Chimneys pic.twitter.com/3C9KGB6Kir

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) November 3, 2025

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Super Simple (Super Saver), the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Super Corredora (Gun Runner), has been supplemented to Book 1 of the Keeneland November sale and will go through the ring Tuesday as part of the opening day, the auction house announced Sunday afternoon.

The dam is catalogued as HIP 225, and will be consigned by Denali Stud as agent for Woodford Thoroughbreds. She will be offered in foal to Gunite (Gun Runner). Super Simple is a half-sister to SW Simple Surprise (Cowboy Cal)–herself dam of the aforementioned Gunite and his full-brother GSW Spice Runner–as well as to GSP Counterspy (Gun Runner) and SP Simply Sovereign (American Pharoah). Super Simple produced a 2025 colt by Taiba this past spring.

“We are incredibly excited to offer Super Simple as a supplement to the November Sale, providing the opportunity to purchase from the highly successful Woodford Thoroughbreds program,” Denali Stud vice president Conrad Bandoroff said. “Super Corredora is undefeated around two turns and was ultra-impressive when capturing the [GI] NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. With a Breeders' Cup winner as the second foal of a 9-year-old mare, who is carrying a three-quarter sibling, the future is very bright for Super Simple.”

“This is an exceptional opportunity for Keeneland's global buying bench,” said Keeneland's vice president of sales Tony Lacy. “Super Simple is very young and has already produced a Breeders' Cup winner. We're thrilled to offer her at Keeneland November on Tuesday, just days after Super Corredora's win on racing's biggest stage.”

Super Simple's pedigree page will be available in the online catalogue Monday.

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Multiple graded winner and Woodbine track record-setter Arzak (Not This Time), who is retiring to New York for the 2026 breeding season, will be available for inspection at Mulholland Springs in Lexington during the Keeneland November sale, it was announced via press release.

An open house will be held at the farm Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 11:30am to 1:30pm but the son of Not This Time will be available for inspection Nov. 3 to Nov. 12 by appointment with Amsterdam Two's Ken William or Michael Slezak. The address is 2245 Iron Works Pike in Lexington, KY. Arzak will stand the 2026 breeding season for a fee of $6,000, with special consideration to approved mares. To make an appointment to see Arzak, breeders should contact Williams (570-604-3657) or Slezak (917-455-0693).

“Arzak is such a big, good-looking horse, and knowing how important physical is in today's market, we wanted to make sure we gave the opportunity to see him in person to breeders from Kentucky and the Midlantic region, as well as those who breed in New York but don't necessarily live there,” Williams said. “What better time and place than during Keeneland November?”

“Not This Time's unprecedented hot streak throughout the fall, including Cy Fair's win in this year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, has added luster to Arzak's already impressive record as a millionaire who recorded a whopping 17 Beyer speed figures of 90 or higher,” said Slezak. “But when folks see Arzak in the flesh, we really believe booking mares to him will be a no-brainer.”

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After claiming three winners during the marquee Breeders' Cup event at Del Mar, Irad Ortiz Jr. has won the 23rd Bill Shoemaker Award as outstanding jockey for the sixth time.

The Shoemaker Award goes to the jockey who rides the most winners in the 14-race Championship series with the tiebreaker being a 10-3-1 point system for second-through-fourth-place finishes. Ortiz opened his weekend on Cy Fair (Not This Time) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, and returned to the winner's enclosure Saturday with yet another filly beating the boys when Shisospicy (Mitole) ran her rivals off their feet in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. One race later, he partnered with Bentornato (Valiant Minister) to claim redemption in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Ortiz took home the trophy four straight years between 2018 and 2021, and in the last eight years, only Flavien Prat and Ryan Moore were able to interrupt his streak of success at the World Championships–in 2024 and 2022, respectively.

The only other rider with multiple Breeders' Cup victories this year was last year's Shoemaker Award winner Flavien Prat. Prat had two, both coming Saturday, with Splendora (Audible) in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and Nysos (Nyquist) in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

“It's a great trophy and it's a great honor,” Ortiz Jr. said. “You have to have a good day because it's by points. So you have to at least win some and the rest of the horses, they have to run good to keep getting points. So, that means you have a good day.”

“I love this week. It's one of my favorite weekends in the whole year, so it feels good to have a trophy because you have a good week on the best races in the in the year.”

When asked about inching closer to Mike Smith's win record at the Breeders' Cup, Ortiz said, “That'd be great. Yeah, I mean, I have so much respect for Mike. He's got, I think, 27 [wins]…it's really hard to get to that number, but we're going to keep working on it. Try to do our best out there and you know, it's not easy. You have to have a good horse honestly. I'm just very fortunate. We've been having a good ride and we're gonna keep positive. Stay positive and keep working on it.”

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Total all-sources handle for the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar, held Oct. 31-Nov. 1, reached $180,036,799, the third-highest amount in the event's 42-year history. It marked an increase over the 2024 amount of $179,218,631, but ranked behind the $189,060,373 at Keeneland in 2022 and $182,908,409 at Del Mar in 2021.

On-track attendance at Del Mar Saturday was 35,173, with the two days combining for 65,232. On-track handle for the two days was $18,079,169. Total common-pool handle on Saturday's full card was $118,028,444 and Friday's card was $62,008,354.

The 43rd edition of the Breeders' Cup will be held at Keeneland next year from on Oct. 30-31.

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“Tum-ta-tum-tum-TUMS!!”

Ordering up some hot sauce with the ring of the bell, Shisospicy (Mitole–Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief) dished out a torrid serving of pace and winged her way to World Championship glory as she downed the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint to beat the boys and give them a dose of heartburn. Maybe an appearance by the filly on 'Hot Ones' is in the offing?

Shisospicy broke her maiden on first-asking at trainer Jose D'Angelo's Gulfstream base with a 16 1/4-length score last October, which made her a shoe-in for a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. After a third-place finish in the Fern Creek Stakes at Churchill in late November, the filly gave a runner-up effort in the Mockingbird Stakes at Oaklawn Jan. 4.

Trying turf, the gray rattled off three visits to winner's circles next–against optional claimers at Gulfstream Feb. 5, in the Limestone Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 11 and in the GIII Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill May 10.

Taking her game to the Royal Meeting at Ascot, Shisospicy was well-beaten in the G1 Commonwealth Cup June 20. The filly prepped for the Breeders' Cup by returning to the U.S. a winner in the GIII ACS Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs Sept. 6.

Backed as a 5-1 shot here, the 3-year-old came to play and proceeded to make every pole a winning one. Shisospicy has always showed speed and those tactics proved best as she ran this field off their feet to become the seventh female to do so in the Turf Sprint.

Shisospicy | Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup

“I knew that she was going to explode today with her speed, and it worked out perfectly,” said trainer Jose D'Angelo. “With her speed, I just trained her for the race.”

Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy) was the runner-up in the Turf Sprint. Herself a 5-year-old mare who was third in this race last year, she will be offered at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton's 'Night of the Stars' sale.

Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a stalwart 9-year-old, finished a respectable third.

During the running of the race, She's Quality (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) was pulled up by rider Colin Keane.

The on-air statement from American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) on-call veterinarian Dr. Scott Hay on She's Quality stated, “The jockey had some concern, probably just out of an abundance of caution, but she's showing some right hind lameness currently; there's nothing obvious on the limb. She's going to be transported with the equine ambulance to the hospital where our veterinary experts on standby will evaluate what's going on with her right now.”

Later, the AAEP said in a written statment, “She's Quality was eased by jockey Colin Keane out of an abundance of caution during the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and was immediately attended to by multiple members of the Breeders' Cup Veterinary Team. After walking onto the equine ambulance and undergoing a thorough examination at the Southern California Equine Foundation (SCEF) hospital, she is back at her barn and will continue to be closely monitored.”

Pedigree Notes:

The winner's sire (by Eskendereya) now has his first top-level scorer for his wall at Spendthrift. Other graded winners with placards include Halina's Forte, and a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard', in Booth and V V's Dream.

Mischief Galore's first foal is Shisospicy's older full-sister, Sapphire Nights. The winner's dam is responsible for 2-year-old unraced colt Yasup (Yaupon), who was sent from the U.S. to the UAE this year, and a yearling filly also by Yaupon. Mischief Galore was entered in Jackie's Warrior's book for this coming season.

Shisospicy was bred by the Heiligbrodts and the gray hammered down for $100,000 as a short yearling during Keeneland January when she went to Fish Stables. The Breeders' Cup winner then was purchased for $200,000 six months later by Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds at the Fasig-Tipton July sale.

The following year, Shisospicy was sent to OBS April where as a 2-year-old in-training she missed her reserve when the bidding halted at $300,000. The filly was kept at the track by Morplay Racing.

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint • Shisospicy • Irad Ortiz, Jr. • José Francisco D'Angelo #DelMar #BreedersCup pic.twitter.com/hJCIOIYCzx

— Jose F D'Angelo (@JFDAngelo) November 1, 2025

Saturday, Del Mar
PREVAGEN BREEDERS' CUP TURF SPRINT-GI, $920,000, Del Mar, 11-1, 3yo/up, 5fT, :55.24, fm.
1–SHISOSPICY, 121, f, 3, by Mitole
                1st Dam: Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief
                2nd Dam: Maren's Melody, by Unbridled's Song
                3rd Dam: Maren's Meadow, by Meadowlake
1ST GRADE I WIN. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. ($100,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $200,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $300,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Morplay Racing, LLC and Qatar Racing, LLC; B-Bill Heiligbrodt & Corinne Heiligbrodt (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $520,000. Lifetime Record: 9-6-1-1, $2,090,270. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ag Bullet, 123, m, 5, Twirling Candy–Noble Grey, by Forestry. ($30,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $220,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Calvin Nguyen, and Joey C. Tran; B-H & E Ranch (KY); T-Richard Baltas. $170,000.
3–Khaadem (Ire), 126, g, 9, Dark Angel (Ire)–White Daffodil (Ire), by Footstepsinthesand (GB). (750,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Yeomanstown Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Hills. $90,000.
Margins: 2HF, HF, 1. Odds: 5.30, 5.30, 13.90.
Also Ran: Reef Runner, Motorious (GB), Invincible Papa (Aus), Bucanero Fuerte (GB), Governor Sam, Bring Theband Home, Puro Magic (Jpn), Bear River, She's Quality (Ire). Scratched: Arizona Blaze (GB), Incanto (Ire), No Nay Hudson (Ire), Yellow Card.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Filly Shisospicy Gives The Boys Heartburn By Wiring Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Just outside of 48 hours before she is set to take her place as hip 155 at Monday's Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Special Wan (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) enhanced her resume with a straight-forward success as the favorite in Saturday's GIII Goldikova Stakes at Del Mar.

Away neatly from the three hole, Special Wan was with the early pace, but was wisely taken a hold of by Joel Rosario as 77-1 Violeta M (Arg) (John F Kennedy {Ire}) opened up a sizeable advantage through enervating early splits of :22.82 and :46.29. Kept inside for the run into the turn, Special Wan took the race to the longshot leader with 2 1/2 furlongs to travel and that first crack at the front-runner proved decisive, as the bay easily held sway to the wire. Breath Away (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) outfinished Medoro (Honor Code) for the place spot.

“She's a very special horse and she showed me that again today,” the winning rider commented. “I knew Mike (Smith) and Violeta M were going fast on the lead, but my horse just relaxed and settled comfortably behind her. She made the lead easily on her own, I just let her go. I shook the reins at her just to keep her focused in the stretch and she finished well. She was the best horse in the race, that's for sure.”

A maiden winner and narrowly beaten in Group 3 company against the boys at Leopardstown for trainer Patrick Foley, Special Wan made this year's GIII Honey Fox Stakes her first graded success on her third U.S. appearance. An excellent third after having to alter course in the stretch of the GI Just A Game Stakes in yielding ground at Saratoga June 6, the bay defeated the classy Segesta (Ghostzapper) in the GIII Ladies' Turf Stakes at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30 when last seen, earning a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure.

Pedigree Notes:

Special Wan is the most accomplished of four foals to race from her dam, a daughter of SW Slow Jazz–herself by inaugural GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Chief's Crown–whose other produce includes Italian listed winner and Group 3-placed Mister Cavern (GB) (Lion Cavern). The winner's half-sister Yerwanthere (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}) also has form on the Southern California circuit, having placed three times in stakes company including a third in the 2024 GIII Robert J. Frankel Stakes. The yearling relation to Special Wan, a filly by Blue Point (Ire), was purchased for 160,000gns ($226,549) by David Ingordo on behalf of Matt Dorman's Determined Stud at this year's Tattersalls October Sale. Fast Jazz foaled a filly by Gleneagles (Ire) this past March.

Saturday, Del Mar
GOLDIKOVA S. PRESENTED BY YAAMAVA'-GIII, $303,000, Del Mar, 11-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:34.26, fm.
1–SPECIAL WAN (IRE), 123, m, 5, by Belardo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Fast Jazz (Ire), by Frozen Power (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Slow Jazz, by Chief's Crown
                3rd Dam: Blue Note (Fr), by Habitat
(£225,000 RNA 3yo '23 GOFASC). O-Team Valor International
LLC and Rocco, Steven; B-Kilnamoragh Stud (IRE); T-Brendan P.
Walsh; J-Joel Rosario. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 11-5-2-3,
MGSP-Ire, $1,007,598. *1/2 to Yerwanthere (Ire) (Markaz
{Ire}), GSP, $191,422. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free
   Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Breath Away (GB), 125, m, 5, Bated Breath (GB)–Darling
Grace (GB), by Nayef. (92,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 230,000gns
Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Rocco,
Steven and Tango Uniform Racing LLC; B-Highgate Stud (GB);
T-Miguel Clement. $60,000.
3–Medoro, 121, f, 4, Honor Code–Achira, by English Channel.
O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Parks Investment Group, LLC (KY);
T-Peter Eurton. $36,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 3/4. Odds: 1.60, 11.10, 2.70.
Also Ran: Crevalle d'Oro, Deep Satin, Public Assembly, Temptable (GB), Nadette (Fr), Lady Claypoole (Ire), Liguria, Violeta M (Arg). Scratched: Certitude (Fr), Sun Of Hill (Brz).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Fasig-Tipton Bound Special Wan Dominates the Goldikova appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Derived from the Latin word 'splendor', Splendora (Audible) equates in the dictionary to magnificent brilliance or a dazzling display of beauty. Putting in a performance worthy of her name, the 4-year-old daughter of Audible upset her favored stablemate Hope Road (Quality Road) to capture the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, the first Breeders' Cup race of the card Saturday.

Perhaps a true horse for course and certainly a hometown girl for California, three of Splendora's four previous wins have come over the Del Mar dirt. Campaigned where the turf meets the surf over the summer, she rewarded trainer Bob Baffert and owner By Talla Racing with two straight victories coming into the Breeders' Cup including a last-out romp by 5 1/2 lengths in the restricted Tranquility Lake Stakes at one mile Sept. 1.

One of three Baffert-trained entries to go to post in a race heavily impacted by the morning-of scratches of both Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), Splendora was the middle wagering choice of three, going off at odds of 5-2 while Hope Road attracted even money and Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke) drew widest at 4-1.

Showing a good turn of foot from the inside, Splendora broke in line with the field was quickly overtaken by a host of rivals to her outside, each of whom was sent to lead. Hope Road went fastest of a trio that separated itself out in the first furlong with Haulin Ice (Coal Front) and Richi keeping things tight through an opening quarter in :22.12. Splendora, guided by jockey Flavien Prat, settled beautifully behind those frontrunners in a joint fourth on the run into the far turn. Clearly with plenty of horse, Prat finally tipped his filly off the rail approaching the quarter pole and she swept up four wide to engage Hope Road as the field straightened for the line.

The duel between stablemates lasted mere strides before Splendora hit the front with a furlong to run and opened up with Prat going to the stick just once left handed before settling for hands and heels to the wire. Vahva (Gun Runner), in her final start before selling at Keeneland November, made up plenty of ground into the stretch to steal second from Hope Road who settled for third in a final running time of 1:21.79.

Splendora's win gave Baffert his second in the Filly & Mare Sprint after he captured it first with Gamine (Into Mischief) in 2020. It was the first victory in the race for Prat and his eighth overall in a Breeders' Cup race.

“She has been working really well and she loves this track,” said Baffert following the race. “I told (Flavien) Prat, when she ran here this summer, going six furlongs, she ran an incredible race and just sat off the pace. When he swooped up to the outside (today) and she took off, it was over. Hope Road, she ran great. I thought she would be off the pace a little bit. These races, they are so tough to win.”

“I honestly was a bit worried that we might have a lack of speed because of all the scratches, but the pace was fair and I was able to travel good,” Prat added. “I really felt like I was traveling well all the way around and as soon as I was able to go around everybody, she just give me a good run.”

Pedigree Note:
Splendora was a $125,000 yearling purchase for Talla Racing and Rockingham Ranch at Fasig-Tipton's July Sale in 2022. Her breeder, The Elkstone Group, picked up first dam Miss Freeze with the winner in utero for $45,000 at Keeneland November in 2020 and she's since produced two foals from two to race.

She is the first Grade I winner for Audible, a young son of Into Mischief who captured the GI Xpressbet Florida Derby himself before retiring to stud at WinStar Farm. From three crops, he's been represented by 141 winners and seven stakes winners including My Mane Squeeze.

Miss Freeze is one of only two foals from her own dam, who was herself a half-sister to MSW Royal Currier (Red Bullet), a gelding who earned over $869,000 on track up and down the East Coast. A $37,000 RNA at KEENOV back in 2023, Miss Freeze has a 2-year-old colt on the work tab named Oracle of Beaufort (Demarchelier {GB}) and reported a filly by Tiz the Law this season. She is due to National Treasure for 2026.

Saturday, Del Mar
PNC BANK BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT-GI, $890,000, Del Mar, 11-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:21.79, ft.
1–SPLENDORA, 124, f, 4, by Audible
                1st Dam: Miss Freeze (SW), by Frost Giant
                2nd Dam: Reata's Vixen, by Sligo Bay (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Top of the League, by Lite the Fuse
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($125,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). O-By Talla Racing LLC; B-The Elkstone Group LLC (MD); T-Bob Baffert; J-Flavien Prat. $520,000. Lifetime Record: 10-5-4-0, $860,800. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Vahva, 124, m, 5, by Gun Runner
                1st Dam: Holiday Soiree (SW & GISP, $405,642), by Harlan's Holiday
                2nd Dam: Try to Remember, by Include
                3rd Dam: Casanova Striker, by Smart Strike
($280,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Belladonna Racing LLC, Hudson, Lynne, Hudson, Jr., Edward J., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, Farish, W.S., LBD Stable LLC, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock; B-Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. $170,000.
3–Hope Road, 124, f, 4, by Quality Road
                1st Dam: Marley's Freedom (GISW, $1,233,935), by Blame
                2nd Dam: Relaxing Green, by Formal Gold
                3rd Dam: Charlotte Augusta, by Chief's Crown
($575,000 RNA Ylg '22 FTSAUG). O-Cicero Farms LLC; B-Cicero Farms LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $90,000.
Margins: 4 3/4, 1 1/4, 4 1/4. Odds: 2.90, 9.80, 1.10.
Also Ran: Zeitlos, Richi (Chi), Haulin Ice, Praying. Scratched: Fee Blanche (Jpn), Sweet Azteca, Tamara.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) parceled up a championship freshman campaign with a stalk-and-pounce victory in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, a win that is better than it might appear on paper in the eyes of his trainer Todd Pletcher.

“I thought he ran terrific,” said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, striking at the Breeders' Cup for the 16th time. “The race unfolded kind of just as we had anticipated it would with [TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard] Brant (Gun Runner) going to the lead. We got a good stalking position.

“The only part of the race where we had any concern was, I guess, just inside of the eighth pole. Johnny said that (Ted Noffey) kind of saw the shadow of the building and the footprints from the gate crew right in that area. He said he kind of put on the brakes and idled a bit until he crossed over the shadow. And, once he got into the fully shadowed area, he refocused and re-engaged and started to draw away again. Up to that point and after that, everything went exactly as we hoped.”

Pletcher was wearing a tie owned by his former boss and mentor D. Wayne Lukas that was given to him by Lukas's widow Laurie at the celebration of life for Lukas in August.

“I just felt like it would be appropriate to wear it on Breeders' Cup days, Wayne being the all-time winningest Breeders Cup trainer and with remarkable achievements in the Breeders Cup,” Pletcher said. “When you think about when his stable was at its strongest, back in the day, the Breeders' Cup was a one-day card and lot fewer opportunities than there are now.”

Pletcher indicated that the $650,000 Keeneland September yearling would ship to the conditioner's Florida base at Palm Beach Downs and would likely head in the direction of next year's GI Florida Derby.

Both Aidan O'Brien and his son Donnacha were in a celebratory mood following Friday's victories in the GI Juvenile Turf races, for the elder O'Brien a record-breaking 21st success at the championships, while Donnacha was earning Breeders' Cup laurels for the first time in his training career.

Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) could not have been more impressive in taking the colts' and geldings' division of the Juvenile turf, overcoming a slow break and wide trip before prevailing under Christophe Soumillon.

“He's come out the race in good form,” O'Brien said. “It was a great day and a very good performance. From his draw (post 14) it was difficult task but he won well and one we can look forward to next season.”

Balantina (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) stormed up the fence to cause a 20-1 upset in the Juvenile Fillies Turf to the thrill of her connections.

“It was an incredible day,” the junior O'Brien said. “It was very special to get our first Breeders' Cup win. Balantina seems healthy and happy today. I'm thankful that the owners are going to let me take her home (to Ireland). We're looking forward to an exciting year ahead with her.”

Super Corredora (Gun Runner), who was given an aggressive ride by Hector Berrios and took them all the way to score at 9-1 in the GI NetJets Breeders' Cp Juvenile Fillies, gave trainer John Sadler his first victory in the race, but has in all likelihood made the final appearance of her 2-year-old season.

“It was very exciting,” Sadler said, adding that the filly would return to Santa Anita on Sunday to undergo a 'full evaluation.'

“I'm not ruling anything out, but this was probably her last race of the year,” Sadler said. “She ran back in three weeks this time. We're excited for next year. She's well suited for the distance races.”

Cy Fair (Not This Time) beat the boys in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, giving her trainer George Weaver his first victory at the championships while also becoming the first Breeders' Cup scorer for Taylor Made stallion Not This Time.

“She came out well, and obviously we're proud of her performance,” Weaver said Saturday morning. “It's a big thing for the team.

“I felt very comfortable once I saw where she was going into the far turn,” the conditioner added. “She was in a great spot and it looked like he had a lot of horse. I was feeling good most of the way.”

With nothing else to play for in the balance of 2025, Cy Fair is likely to be spelled.

“I would imagine she'd get a little break,” said Weaver. “I don't think there's a lot of importance in front of us as far as races in the United  States anyways. She went to the 2-year-old sale and never missed a beat (since then). We'll probably give her a break–not that she needs one, but it's probably a good time to fit one in.”

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