Thoroughbred Daily News

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – At 6:30 Sunday morning, Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the hero of the 156h GI, $1.25 million Travers Stakes, was out and about around the Hall of Fame barn of trainer Bill Mott at the Oklahoma Training Track

The 3-year-old colt, fresh off his resounding 10-length win in the Travers, grazed in the courtyard at the barn, looking like he could run another 1 ¼ miles later in the day. The margin of victory is tied for the fourth largest in Travers history. Sovereignty's blowout win was the fifth time a horse has won by that much; the last time it happened was 1976 when Wajima (Bold Ruler) did it.

Bill Mott didn't come out of the race as well. He was sick with a nasty head cold but powered through. Having just won his first Travers – after failing with 13 other horses during his career–was better than any remedy he could have found at the drugstore.

The Travers' win gives Godolphin's Sovereignty five wins in six starts this year and he has all the big ones: the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and Travers plus the GII Jim Dandy and GII Fountain of Youth. His only loss came in the GI Florida Derby where he finished second.

“You saw a dang good 3-year-old,” Mott said with a smile when asked what anyone who watched the Travers saw on Saturday. “I think he locked up champion 3-year-old honors ..that confirmed it.”

What remains for Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado the rest of the year is one more test, the biggest yet. The GI, $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 2. Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin USA, indicated that is the final goal for 2025.

Mott said Sunday that Sovereignty will remain at his Saratoga base until he heads to California. There, he could run into the likes of fellow 3-year-old Journalism (Curlin) and older horses such as GI Whitney Stakes winner and defending Classic winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), last year's Travers winner Fierceness (City of Light), the formidable Nysos (Nyquist) and Mindframe (Constitution), who is undefeated in three starts this year.

“I am sure the others will be concerned about (Sovereignty) as much as we will be concerned about everyone else,” Mott said.

Sovereignty has been feted by horse fans and horsemen and women alike since his victory in the Kentucky Derby. As each victory has followed, the superlatives have gotten larger.

Mott, like everyone else, has heard the word great being used to describe his horse.

“He is pretty darn good,” he said. “Greatness is defined by the test of time. You think greatness, you look at Forego and horses like that, horses that lasted more than one season. If they want to say great, I am not going to argue with them.”

After her popular–but nerve racking–victory in Saturday's GI, $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes, reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) was bright and alert at trainer Kenny McPeek's Saratoga barn early Sunday morning.

Any time a peppermint wrapper was rustled near her stall, she stuck her head out looking for the sweet treat. And she got plenty of them, following her brave win by a nose over Dorth Vader (Girvin), trained by George Weaver.

Thorpedo Anna and Danny Ramsey after her personal Ensign win | Sarah Andrew

The win was the 4-year-old Thorpedo Anna's 12th in 15 career starts and improved her 2025 record to four wins in five starts.

“She's doing super,” trainer Kenny McPeek said in his office at his barn across from the Oklahoma Training Track. “I just went through every horse I have here, and she's probably the cleanest one right now. Her legs are clean. Cleaned the feed tub. Dragging her hotwalker around. Typical Thorpedo Anna.”

Owned by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings Inc., Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards and Judy Hicks, Thorpedo Anna will have one more start before the Breeders' Cup, either the GIII, $400,000 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park on Sept. 28 or the GI, $650,000 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 5.

From there, it will probably be the GI, $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff, a race she won last year to complete a season of six wins in seven starts (five Grade Is). In the Personal Ensign, she was ridden, as always, by Brian Hernandez Jr., who has been her partner in all 15 races.

McPeek came to that conclusion after watching Sovereignty (Into Mischief) chew up four other rivals in Saturday's GI Travers Stakes.

“You've got to watch your competition, and that horse yesterday was ultra-impressive,” he said. “The time he ran, the way he did it. Even if he doesn't win the Classic, he's probably Horse of the Year. He's an amazing, amazing individual and for me to take him on..I'm a little intimidated by him. He's getting better and better. For her to take him on, we'd hesitate on that right now. Not that we're scared. We're realistic.”

Before making it official, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher wanted to make sure things went well on Sunday. Things went well on Sunday. That means that 4-year-old Fierceness (City of Light) is heading west to run in Saturday's GI, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

In order to make that happen, Pletcher had to like what he saw when 4-year-old Mindframe (Constitution) worked four furlongs in company with 3-year-old stablemate Classicist (Curlin). Mindframe  was timed in 49.45 (52/112) and is being pointed to the GI, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup next Sunday afternoon at Saratoga.

Fierceness (outside), White Abarrio and Sierra Leone in the Whitney | Sarah Andrew

Pletcher said he did not want to run the two against each other until the Nov. 1 GI, $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic, so Fierceness is likely to be on a plane to California Wednesday.

“It's obviously not an easy race by any means, assuming Nysos (Nyquist) and Journalism (Curlin) are in there,” Pletcher, outside his office at the Oklahoma Training Track Sunday morning, said about the Pacific Classic. “I think the timing for the Breeders' Cup Classic is good; it gives us a little extra time.”

Fierceness, owned by Repole Stable, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier, will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in the Pacific Classic. Pletcher is not sure yet if he will fly west; his assistant Sophie Green will accompany Fierceness.

He said that Fierceness, fifth in the GI Whitney Stakes in his last start, will return to Saratoga after the race. Where he and the other Pletcher horses go after the Saratoga meet ends has yet to be determined.

“Last year, we stayed here, and it seemed to work out fine,” Pletcher said. “We will have to see what the weather does. We could go to Belmont, we could go to Keeneland.”

Mindframe, owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, will be joined by stablemate Antiquarian (Preservationist) in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Owned by Centennial Farms, Antiquarian worked four furlongs in 48.65 (17/112) in company with 3-year-old stablemate Endorse (Curlin) Sunday on the main track.

The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Sovereignty’s Next Goal Will be a Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Continuing to dominate her division, Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca) shrugged off the talented yet lightly-raced Formula Rossa (Vekoma) to win her second consecutive GIII Rancho Bernardo Stakes at Del Mar.

The race was also part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series heading toward the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, that will be run at Del Mar on Nov. 1. Sweet Azteca's victory earned her an additional $15,000 toward the $30,000 entrance fee for the $1-million race.

The 2-5 choice broke cleanly from the outside and came out swinging as she forged to the fore in tandem with TDN Rising Star Formula Rossa. Well clear of the others, the top two choices blazed through an opening quarter in a crisp :21.82 before throwing down an equally sparkling half mile in :43.81.

Given her cue by Juan Hernandez at the quarter pole, the grey shook free of her game rival in the stretch and ran clear late to score by 3 1/2 lengths, completing the task in 1:15.44 for 6 1/2 furlongs.

Formula Rossa finished 2 3/4-lengths ahead of closer Chismosa with Donttellourwives (Khozan) rounded out the complete order of finish.

“No, there was no problem with my horse running alongside that other one up the backstretch; my horse was enjoying it,” said Hernandez. “She likes a good fight. They were going fast, but she was going easy. When we hit the quarter pole, I asked her and we were gone. She's good.”

Winning trainer Richard Baltas added, “I thought they went a little too fast but obviously, they had a plan to hook me. I think that was a big mistake but they're trying to win and we're trying to win. My filly's a lot bigger and stronger. His horse is super talented. No surprises.”

The stakes win was the seventh of the meet for rider Hernandez and his third in the Rancho Bernardo. It was also the initial stakes victory of the meet for trainer Baltas and his first in the Rancho Bernardo.

Victorious in her sole start at three for trainer Michael McCarthy, Sweet Azteca won four of six starts in 2024, including the GI Beholder Mile over favored Adare Manor. Victorious in the 6 1/2-furlong GII Great Lady M. at Los Alamitos, she added a seven-length score in the Rancho Bernardo before tiring to finish a well-beaten fourth in the GIII Chillingworth Stakes at Santa Anita Oct. 5.

Joining Richard Baltas for 2025, she launched her 5-year-old campaign the right way, defending her title in the Great Lady M, defeating dual Grade I winner Kopion (Omaha Beach) in the process.

Pedigree Notes:
Sweet Azteca is the sole Grade I winner for 2017 GI Cigar Mile winner Sharp Azteca, who stands at Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan. Sweet Azteca, a third generation homebred for Pamela Cee Ziebarth, is out of the Grand Slam mare So Sweetitiz, herself a MSW for Ziebarth.

The filly's fourth dam, Cee's Song (Seattle Song), was raced by Zeibarth's late mother Cecilia Straub Rubens, producing Horse of the Year and dual Breeders' Cup Classic hero Tiznow and multiple graded stakes winner Budroyale–both full-brothers to Sweet Azteca's third dam Tizsweet.

Sunday, Del Mar
RANCHO BERNARDO H.-GIII, $98,000, Del Mar, 8-24, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:15.44, ft.
1–SWEET AZTECA, 126, m, 5, by Sharp Azteca
                1st Dam: So Sweetitiz (MSW, $180,480),
                                by Grand Slam
                2nd Dam: Sweetitiz, by El Prado (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Tizsweet, by Cee's Tizzy
O/B-Pamela Cee Ziebarth (KY); T-Richard Baltas; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 9-7-0-1, $667,200. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Formula Rossa, 117, f, 3, Vekoma–Fay Na Na, by Majestic Warrior. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($130,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $270,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT). O-Muir Hut Stables LLC; B-Greathouse Equine, LLC & Glencrest Farm, LLC (KY); T-Mark Glatt. $20,000.
3–Chismosa, 119, m, 5, Clubhouse Ride–You Can Dream, by Cat Dreams. O/B-Jaime R. Renella (CA); T-Rafael DeLeon. $12,000.
Margins: 3HF, 2 3/4, 6 1/4. Odds: 0.40, 1.70, 11.90.
Also Ran: Donttellourwives. Scratched: Visually.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

SWEET AZTECA ($2.80) and @JJHernandezS19 throw down in the $100,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) at @DelMarRacing for trainer Richard Baltas and owner/breeder Pamela Ziebarth.

Watch on-site coverage of Del Mar on @FanDuelTV. Bet with @FanDuel Racing.https://t.co/XK3TJD0A2X pic.twitter.com/mtgDkJs1rx

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 24, 2025

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GRAND PRAIRIE, TX – The annual single session Texas Yearling Sale put on by the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) and hosted by Dallas-area Lone Star Park is set for 10 a.m. CT on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

The TTA catalogue has blossomed from 207 head in 2024 to 261 this year. The offerings include 63 from Texas, 115 from Louisiana, 30 from Arkansas and 11 from Oklahoma. An additional 22 horses have been entered for the mixed session for a total of 283.

By the numbers, the 2024 edition, which showcased one of the smaller catalogues in sale history, reported 175 sold for $3,240,000. The average was $18,542 and the median was $11,000, while 77 went unsold.

With over 60 on offer, the largest consignment goes to Highlander Training Center, whose sales prep for this year's sale is led for the first time by Colin Brennan.

“We are looking forward to a very positive Texas sale this year,” said Chairman & CEO of Highlander Training Center Jeff Hooper. “We had tremendous interest from owners this year not only from Texas, but from Kentucky to Louisiana, to Arkansas to California for us to prep and sell their yearlings.”

Hooper said that the auction has proven to be a marketplace where pinhookers can buy quality prospects, but it also serves those who are looking to race.

“We have worked to tailor our consignment to provide what both types of buyers are looking for,” he said. “Colin is an exceptional horseman and well-connected throughout the industry.”

The TTA catalogue includes a range of sires, plus first-crop stallions like Corniche, Early Voting, Mo Donegal, Mandaloun and Cyberknife.

Click here to access the TTA website and here for the online catalogue.

The post Annual Texas Yearling Sale Hosted By Lone Star Park Set For Tuesday Aug. 26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

On the day before the win in the GI Forego Stakes by Book 'em Danno (Bucchero), trainer Derek Ryan had already made up his mind about the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. He had no plans to go.

“I'm really not that interested in the Breeders' Cup,” Ryan said. “I have no desire to go there. I'm sure I'll be pressured into it, but the Breeders' Cup is not on my radar. I'm not keen to run him on a track that I don't think will suit him. The stretch is too short and the track is speed-favoring. I don't know why they keep running the Breeders' Cup in California. We have some very good tracks here in the East.”

Book 'em Danno is a 4-year-old and a gelding and Ryan wants to keep him around for several more years.

“He's run four monster races in a row, starting with the race at Churchill,” he said. “They've been tough races. It has taken a little bit out of him. We want him to last. I need him around for a few more years. I'll get together with the partners and we will discuss it. Of course, the $2-million purse means something but I want the horse around for a few years. We'd like to extend his career for as long as possible and that's why I'm not convinced that going to the Breeders' Cup is the right thing to do.”

In the Forego, the New Jersey-bred Book 'em Danno won by a length in what may have been his hardest race to date. But it also firmly established him as the top sprinter in the country. If the Breeders' Cup were run next week he'd likely be the favorite. He's won three graded stakes in a row, all of them at Saratoga. The list also includes the GIII True North Stakes and the GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes.

The Forego, Book 'em Danno's second Grade I victory, might have been a game-changer. After what he showed on Saturday at Saratoga how can you not run him in the Breeders' Cup?

By Sunday, Ryan had softened his stance a little bit.

“We'll talk about it down the road,” he said. “I am sure I will have a meeting with the partners. I'm a bit set in my ways. It's not a no and it's not a yes. It's a maybe.”

Book 'em Danno is owned by Atlantic Six Racing, a group of six friends, all of them from the Jersey Shore.

Jay Briscione is the managing partner. His thoughts on the Breeders' Cup?

“It's the trainer's job to do what he is doing,” Briscione said. “By any metric you look at, this is probably the most consistent horse in training. He deserves all the credit and Derek has done a great job. We have a good relationship with Derek and we always kick these things around and try to figure out the best spots for him. He is a gelding, We have a stewardship of him now because we want to keep him going and racing because he's developed such a following. Having said that, none of us has ever had a horse for the Breeders' Cup and it's an unbelievably exciting thing. I know it's a cliche. But we want to first see how he reacts and how he comes out of this race. Then we'll make our decision.

“The negatives are that he'll have to face some very good, fresh horses like Straight No Chaser and Bentornato. They'll be fresh and we've gone through a tough campaign. We'd have to ship all the way across the country. It's a speed favoring track with a short stretch. Those are the negatives. The positive is the $2-million purse. We're keeping an open mind.”

While nothing is certain in racing, it sure looks like Sovereignty (Into Mischief) would have won the Triple Crown had his connections decided to run him in the Preakness. He's simply the best 3-year-old around and even a super horse like Journalism (Curlin) can't beat him. Why would the Preakness have been any different?

But this is what happens when the Triple Crown sticks to a schedule that calls for horses to run three times in five weeks and with only two week's rest between the GI Kentucky Derby and the GI Preakness Stakes. Trainer Bill Mott and the Godolphin team thought that was too much to ask of their horses and skipped the Preakness.

He's since won the GI Belmont Stakes, the GII Jim Dandy Stakes and Saturday's Grade I Travers Stakes You can't blame Mott or the owner. They genuinely believed that running in the Preakness was not the right thing to do for the horse. But what if the Preakness were run on the first Saturday in June, which would have meant five weeks between the Derby and Preakness, the same gap that is now between the Derby and the Belmont?

Unless they expand the time between the races, this could be a continuing problem. I have never understood why trainers are so afraid to run their horses back on short rest, but they are. Sovereignty won't be the last Kentucky Derby winner to pass the Preakness. And every time that happens the sport will miss out on a possible Triple Crown winner.

An intransigent NYRA won't hear of moving the date of the Belmont, even though their premier race has much to lose if they don't change their minds. First Saturday in May. First Saturday in June. First Saturday in July. That's the answer.

Congratulations to the stewards at Belterra Park, who did a lot more than slap leading rider Albin Jimenez on the wrist. Instead, they brought the hammer down after watching the replay of a ride in Thursday's second race at Belterra that was, to say the least, suspect.

It was trainer Tom Drury, who saddled Jimenez's mount, the 3-5 shot Afleet Vintage (Afleet Alex), who asked the stewards to review the race. Afleet Vintage broke sharply and actually took the lead going into the first turn. But from there, it appeared that Jimenez had a tight lock on the horse and wasn't going to be happy until he wound up last. At the same time a horse named Permit to Carry (Goldencents), swooped to the lead

on the far turn and looked unbeatable at that point. Jimemez finally started asking his horse and closed for a non-threatening second. The winner was ridden by Summer Pauly.

We don't know what Jimenez said to the stewards, but they obviously weren't impressed, handing him a one-year suspension. The suspension will be reduced to six months if he does not file an appeal. Too many other stewards would have suspended him for 15, maybe 30 days. The Belterra stewards gave him the type of penalty that was appropriate for a ride like that. Good for them.

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The Saturday opener at Del Mar featured two of the sexier pedigrees in the entire 2025 crop of 2-year-olds in the form of Provenance (Into Mischief), the first foal to the races out of two-time Eclipse Award winner Monomoy Girl (Tapizar), and Plutarch (Into Mischief), a son of fellow champion 3-year-old filly Stellar Wind (Curlin).

But in the end, it was Intrepido (r, 2, Maximus Mischief–Overly Indulgent, by Pleasantly Perfect) who stole the show, repelling a wide bid from 1-2 Provenance and shooting clear to score by 3 1/4 impressive lengths, earning a 'TDN Rising Star'.

The clear second choice in the wagering at 12-5 off a debut fourth behind 'Rising Star' Brant (Gun Runner) and the third-placed Balboa (Not This Time), named a 'Rising Star' himself for an open-lengths score at second asking, Intrepido hit the ground running and led through the early exchanges, but relaxed kindly enough inside of Biggiebiggiebiggie (Maclean's Music) while holding his spot at the rail through a half in :47.34.

Provenance, off slowly and then consigned to a three- and four-wide trip thereafter, came with a marauding run on the second turn to loom a brief threat passing the quarter pole, but his exertions finally took their toll and Intrepido strode home to win easily in the very strong time of 1:35.71 for the mile. Plutarch caboosed the field down the back, but found his best stride in the lane and outfinished Provenance to round out the exacta.

Intrepido fetched just $30,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale, but blossomed into a $385,000 OBS April juvenile after breezing an eighth of a mile in a slick :9 4/5, albeit very greenly. Former trainer Mike Pender signed the ticket on behalf of his clients Dutch View Holdings and Irving Ventures, the same ownership that campaigns GIII Unbridled Sidney Stakes heroine Queen Maxima (Bucchero), a graduate of the OBS June Sale. The latter is expected to make her next start in the GIII Green Flash Handicap here on the GI Pacific Classic undercard on Aug. 30.

Intrepido has a yearling half-brother by Caracaro, a foal half-sister by the Into Mischief son Fulsome and his dam was most recently bred back to Maximus Mischief.

1st-Del Mar, $80,000, Msw, 8-23, 2yo, 1m, 1:35.71, ft, 3 1/4 lengths.
INTREPIDO, r, 2, by Maximus Mischief
1st Dam: Overly Indulgent, by Pleasantly Perfect
2nd Dam: Wittenberg Miss, by Smart Strike
3rd Dam: Fortunate Faith, by Fortunate Prospect
Sales history: $30,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $385,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $52,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Dutch Girl Holdings LLC & Irving Ventures LLC; B-Sierra Fria Farm LLC (KY); T-Jeff Mullins.

#4 INTREPIDO ($6.80) couldn't be caught in the opener at @DelMarRacing. @HIBerrios rode the two-year-old son of @SpendthriftFarm's Maximus Mischief to this maiden win. @Jmullinsracing trains.

Provenance, the first foal out of Monomoy Girl, finished third in his debut. pic.twitter.com/G9apnbGjLN

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 23, 2025

The post Maximus Mischief Colt Intrepido Upstages Into Mischief Duo En Route To a Del Mar ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–For 41 straight years, Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey had found his way to the winner's circle at Saratoga Race Course.

The way things had been going this summer, he was starting to think his streak of at least one win at the Spa was going to come to a screeching halt.

Five Bars (Maxfield) split through rivals late and emerged victorious in Saturday's third race at Saratoga, a $100,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs.

When the Stuart Janney homebred won the race by a half-length over Icecreamforeveryone (Gun Runner), McGaughey could breathe a sigh of relief. His streak is alive, now 42 years and counting.

According to Equibase, McGaughey has won a race at Saratoga every year since 1983. His first was with the 3-year-old filly Lass Trump, winner of the Test Stakes that year.

McGaughey came into Saturday with no wins in 19 starters.

Heading to the starting gate for the third race, there was not much confidence from the betting public that McGaughey was going to end the skid. Five Bars went off odds of nearly 10-1, the second longest price in the field of seven.

“I wasn't surprised at that at all,” McGaughey said. “As bad a meet as I've been having…”

McGaughey could make light of it after Five Bars and jockey Joel Rosario had their picture taken. She ran the distance in 1:17.40 and paid $21.80, $8.40 and $4.80.

“This has been kind of a rough meet,” McGaughey said. “This kind of picks our heads up a little bit.”

McGaughey's best moments of the summer came a couple weeks ago but out of town when he won the GI Arlington Million with Fort Washington (War Front) and also finished third with Integration (Quality Road). That race was run at Colonial Downs in Virginia.

He thought he would see good things from Five Bars, who had shown a willingness in the mornings. In the race, she was steadied at the start and then came running and got through traffic to get the narrow score. She looked like a seasoned pro.

“She has a good mind,” McGaughey said. “She breezed good all summer, whether it was Belmont or here. She has grown up and matured. She showed all the signs that she would be ok; whether it was going to be today or not, we didn't know. Whenever we worked her in company, she would always sort of be the best. Nothing seems to bother her.”

McGaughey also trained Five Bars' dam, Secure Connection (Data Link), who had four wins in 19 career starts from 2019 to 2021.

“She ran on the grass,” McGaughey said. “There is nothing similar about them. This filly is bigger and stronger than the mother.”

McGaughey decided to run Five Bars in this spot rather than wait a week for a seven-furlong race. She was doing that well.

When McGaughey was pressed about his lengthy winning streak, he smiled and dismissed any thought about worrying about that.

“I was thinking about not winning one this meet,” he said. “I thought we had some chances, and they did not turn out.”

As far as a future race for Five Bars, McGaughey was not going to get too far ahead of himself.

“I would like to see her in next year's Alabama,” he said. “But we've got a long way to go for that. I hope she comes out of this good and we'll look for something at Aqueduct or Keeneland for her.”

The post Saratoga Maidens, Presented By Keeneland: Five Bars Keeps Shug’s Saratoga Streak Alive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

There really isn't a whole lot that trainer Bill Mott has left to accomplish in the Thoroughbred business.

Since recording his first graded stakes victory with Heatherten–who also gave him his first Grade I success–for owner John Franks some 41 years ago, the 72-year-old has saddled the winners of over 150 top-level contests with superstars of either sex, such as Taylor's Special, Theatrical (Ire), Paradise Creek, Fraise, legendary dual Horse of the Year Cigar, Ajina, Escena, Wekiva Springs, Favorite Trick, Dream Supreme and her son Majestic Warrior, Drosselmeyer, To Honor and Serve, Royal Delta, Close Hatches, Lea, Yoshida (Jpn), Country House, War Like Goddess, Elite Power, Speaker's Corner and his most recent HOTY, Cody's Wish. And the list goes on.

He's prepared  those top-class runners for such prominent owners as Allen Paulson, Bert and Diana Firestone, Don Dizney, Kinsman Farm, WinStar Farm, Claiborne Farm, Joe Shields, Jr. and partners, Charlotte Weber, George Krikorian, Juddmonte and Godolphin, to name just a handful.

In the twilight of his Hall of Fame career, it is Sheikh Mohammed's far-flung operation that has provided the South Dakota native with the third and fourth Classic victories this season, and Sovereignty (Into Mischief) can tick off what is to this point an unchecked box with a victory in Saturday's $1.25-million GI DraftKings Travers Stakes at Saratoga.

Mott has sent out the Travers runner-up three times, including Close Hatches's son Tacitus (Tapit) back in 2019, but he's never hoisted the trophy. Not yet, in any event.

“Tacitus was my best shot [in 2019, won by Code of Honor, Tacitus was second as the favorite],” Mott told TDN's Tim Wilkin earlier this week. “He was the livest horse I had coming in.

“My chances keep getting better and better,” he continiued. “We were second with Vision and Verse [beaten 3/4 of a length behind Lemon Drop Kid in 1999], that was a long time ago. But I would like to do it.”

Just four have signed up to face the son of Crowned (Bernardini), who beat favored Journalism (Curlin) fair and square when ridiculously nearly 8-1 in the GI Kentucky Derby in May, then skipped the GI Preakness Stakes to prepare for the GI Belmont Stakes over Saturday's course and distance on June 7. Incredibly not favored on that occasion, he posted yet another decisive victory while racing much handier to the speed and repeated the dose in the July 26 GII Jim Dandy Stakes, running away from Derby and Belmont third Baeza (McKinzie) to consolidate his spot at the head of this year's 3-year-old class.

Still, his experience dictates that Mott takes absolutely nothing for granted.

“His record, people have watched him, it's in black and white what he's done,” Mott said. “But by the same token, they've got to go around there. They need to do it in the afternoon. It is not a done deal, that is why they are going to run the race.”

A Winchell Thoroughbreds-owned and Steve Asmussen-trained son of Not This Time named Epicenter won the 2022 Travers, and the same connections team with the progressive Magnitude (Not This Time), who has a puncher's chance to pull the Travers upset as the potential controlling speed at the 'Graveyard of Champions.'

Practically out of nowhere, the $450,000 Keeneland September purchase overcame gate 12 of 12 to win February's GII Risen Star Stakes by nearly 10 lengths (108 Beyer), but was ruled off the Triple Crown trail due to injury about 48 hours later. Nursed back to health, the bay thumped five overmatched foes by 9 1/4 lengths in the July 5 Iowa Derby (Beyer 105) and if those races are not aberrations, he could give Team Sovereignty something to think about.

Magnitude and Carlos Rosas work through the Saratoga fog on Aug. 17 | Sarah Andrew

“We thought that was the perfect race back,” said Scott Blasi, assistant trainer to Asmussen. “He ran good figures once again. We wanted to give him plenty of time between that race and the Travers, which we've pointed to. We have to run against a [potential] champion, and that is never an easy task, but hopefully we are doing as good as we can, physically, and get the job done.”

Chad Brown has yet to win the Travers in a career that will eventually land him in the Hall of Fame across Union Avenue from the track. Strategic Focus (Gun Runner) was named a 'TDN Rising Star' when running home powerfully to graduate versus older rivals going the one-turn mile at Aqueduct Apr. 19, then was somewhat controversially DQd from an apparent first-level allowance victory here on June 6. When last seen in the restricted Curlin Stakes July 24, the chestnut led late but was run down by 'Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) and settled for third. The blinkers go on this afternoon, a 30% move for the barn, but he nevertheless needs to find several lengths of improvement to trouble the top two.

“I've heard this complaint about him when he makes the lead from two different jockeys, so we'll try a little blinker on him,” Brown said. “He should have a good target to run at in Asmussen's horse–one he very well might not even get by. It's not like he's going to make the lead early on that horse–that's a good horse.”

Chancer McPatrick shortens up for the GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes earlier on the card.

A victory from either McAfee (Cloud Computing)–the year-younger half-brother to Horse of the Year and GI Personal Ensign Stakes hopeful Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna)–or Bracket Buster (Vekoma) would represent an upset of near-unprecedented proportions.

The Travers is supported by an additional five graded stakes, four of those at Grade I level.

Sophomore sprinters are in the spotlight in the Jerkens, which could well be settled by a trio of 'TDN Rising Stars'. CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm's Patch Adams (Into Mischief) failed to shine when tried around two turns early this season, finishing fourth in the GIII Southwest Stakes and GIII Tampa Bay Derby, but he is only once-beaten at sprint trips, including a 2 1/4-length defeat of the re-opposing Madaket Road (Quality Road) in the GI Woody Stephens Stakes on Belmont Day.

“He's a one-turn horse. He showed Belmont Week that he's a Grade I horse,” trainer Brad Cox said. “We always thought he was a Grade I talent and he's training like he's ready to put in a big effort. We're excited about him.”

Patch Adams Thursday morning | Sarah Andrew

Verifire (Authentic) galloped to 'Rising Star' honors on Colonial debut during their March meeting and has since added two more convincing victories, a 6 1/2-length allowance score at Pimlico on Black-Eyed Susan day May 16 and the June 29 Maxfield Stakes at Churchill, where he had next-out GII Amsterdam Stakes hero Smoken Wicked (Bobby's Wicked One) and Captain Cook (Practical Joke) in second and third, respectively.

“Both are doing great–they breezed from the gate last week and are set up for big runs,” Cox said of Patch Adams and Verifire. “It's going to be a good, deep race from top to bottom, and I think they both fit very well.”

As mentioned above, 'TDN Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick cuts back for the Jerkens, but was soundly defeated with no apparent alibi in the Woody Stephens. Madaket Road is joined by his Bob Baffert stablemates Barnes (Into Mischief) and the unexposed Midland Money (Shancelot), unbeaten in two starts and a 3 1/4-length allowance winner versus older here Aug. 3.

Round four of the head-to-head battle between Book'em Danno (Bucchero) and Mullikin (Violence) is set for the GI Forego Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' Challenge event for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

An argument can be made that the New Jersey-bred Book'em Danno is the best sprinter currently in training, as he convincingly defeated Mullikin–victorious here last August–in a sloppy renewal of the GIII True North Stakes on June 7 and again in the GII A.G. Vanderbilt Stakes July 19. His most recently piece of work does not appear in his past performances, but trainer Derek Ryan says the gelding is ready for the task.

“We blew him out three-eighths out of the gate to sharpen him up. He's good to go,” Ryan said. “He likes the distance; he likes the track. He'd been training awfully good, and he seems to run for [jockey] Paco [Lopez]. He's 3-for-4 at Saratoga now. I just want them to get position and go from there.”

Book'em Danno Friday morning | Sarah Andrew

Most Wanted (Candy Ride {Arg}), winner of last year's GIII Oklahoma Derby, is an intriguing fresh face and the half-brother to 'Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) returns to this seven-furlong trip for the first time since winning his maiden by a neck at first asking last June.

Thorpedo Anna is clearly the headliner in the GI Personal Ensign Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, but she has looked vulnerable at times this season and may have to improve to take her local record to three-from-four, having just been defeated in last year's Travers.

“She's ultra-consistent. She loves her work, she's very happy in Saratoga, and has been for a long time,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “As always, she's been a pleasure to be around. She's doing great.”

Raging Sea (Curlin) took down the colors of champion Idiomatic (Curlin) in this race 12 months ago, but she has also been in suspect form, including a third to 'TDN Rising Star' Leslie's Rose (Into Mischief) in the GII Shuvee Stakes July 18. Fourth after a troubled start last year, Randomized (Nyquist) wired the field in the GIII Molly Pitcher Stakes last time and has speed to lead, but loses Flavien Prat to the defending champ.

Speaking of Close Hatches again, her 'TDN Rising Star' daughter Scylla (Tapit) is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in what feels a very open renewal of the GI Ballerina Stakes given the absence–via illness–of 'TDN Rising Star' Ways and Means (Practical Joke). A guaranteed berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is on the line.

Though she is a two-time graded winner going long, the homebred has never been able to get over the hump at the graded level around one turn, including a runner-up effort in this event last summer and a latest third to Halina's Forte (Mitole) in the GII Honorable Miss Stakes July 20. Hope Road (Quality Road), a daughter of 2018 Ballerina heroine Marley's Freedom (Blame), ran races in defeat to Kopion (Omaha Beach) in the GII Santa Monica Stakes and GI Derby City Distaff that would win this, but she was very disappointing when only third in the GIII Winning Colors Stakes May 26. Brightwork (Outwork) is three-for-three at the Spa, but is winless since a narrow victory in the GIII Prioress Stakes just under a year ago.

Minnesota-bred Play With Fire (Oscar Performance) is the 2-1 favorite to give Chad Brown his fifth straight win in the GII Lake Placid Stakes, but she certainly does not lay over a field that includes GSW & GISP May Day Ready (Tapit) and Eponine (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), Group 2-placed in France this season and having her first start for Repole Stable.

Thorpedo Anna | Sarah Andrew

With horses returning off extended layoffs and class horses cutting back in distance, Saturday's GII Pat O'Brien Stakes, which offers the winner an all-expenses-paid trip to the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, is a true handicapping puzzle.

Stronghold (Ghostzapper) won the 2024 GI Santa Anita Derby and was runner-up in his final three starts as a 3-year-old, including the GI Pennsylvania Derby last September and when behind future G2 Godolphin Mile and GI Hill 'n' Dale Met Mile hero Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) in the GI Malibu Stakes going this seven-furlong distance Dec. 26. The homebred has just one start since, a distant 10th in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes back on Jan. 25.

Express Train (Union Rags), runner-up to Charlatan (Speightstown) in the 2020 Malibu and winner of the GI Santa Anita Handicap in 2022, makes just the fifth start of his career around one turn in the O'Brien and first since finishing third to The Chosen Vron (Vronsky) in the 2024 Kona Gold Stakes. He drops in trip off a well-beaten fifth to 'TDN Rising Star' and GI Pacific Classic-bound Nysos (Nyquist) in the GII San Diego Handicap July 26.

Bob Baffert won the Pat O'Brien for the first time a quarter-century ago with Love That Red and has sent out the winner seven times since. The fleet-footed Speed Boat Beach (Bayern), who earned a 104 Beyer when graduating at first asking over this track in 2022, took out the 2023 Malibu and was not seen again until the May 1 St. Mathews Overnight Stakes at Churchill, when eased home for all intents and purposes. Juan Hernandez ends up there, while Kazushi Kimura is named on 'TDN Rising Star' Maymun (Frosted), a 7 1/2-length maiden winner at first asking in January 2024 and unraced since a battling neck success going a mile at Santa Anita the following month.

Dr. Venkman (Ghostzapper) was fractionally unlucky when finishing runner-up in the GIII Kelly's Landing Stakes at Churchill June 28, but there were no apparent excuses in his last, an even fourth in the GI Bing Crosby Stakes here on July 26. With Antonio Fresu sticking with Stronghold, fellow Italian Umberto Rispoli picks up the ride.

The post Sovereignty Can Help Mott Break New Ground In Travers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y. – A year ago, Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) buzzed through her season, winning six of seven starts–five of them Grade Is–on her way to Horse of the Year honors.

Kenny McPeek, Thorpedo Anna's trainer, says his stable star is just as good, if not better, than she was a year ago.

The 4-year-old filly, still as popular as ever, will get the chance to prove it on Saturday when she runs in the GI, $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

“Every bit,” McPeek said early Thursday morning while Thorpedo Anna toured the Saratoga paddock. “She is as big and strong as she has ever been.”

Exercise rider Bobby Eversole, who was aboard Thorpedo Anna on Thursday, found that out.

After her schooling session, the filly went out for a gallop and became difficult for Eversole to handle. Coming down the stretch on the main track, a headstrong Thorpedo Anna wanted to do more than the routine gallop and ran off with her partner for about an eighth of a mile.

“She has all that energy,” McPeek said back at his barn. “He was worried to death she was going to run off on him. He just held her together the whole way. When he let her stretch out a bit, then she settled. She is locked and loaded.”

Thorpedo Anna, the 6-5 morning-line favorite in the Personal Ensign won the GII Azeri Stakes and Grade I Apple Blossom – both at Oaklawn Park – before finishing off the board for the first time in her life in GI La Troienne at Churchill Downs on Friday, May 2.

She finished seventh after getting bumped going into the first turn and became a non-factor after that. Thorpedo Anna lost interest after that incident.

“They crushed her in the first turn,” McPeek said.

She and regular jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. rebounded and won the GII Fleur de Lis by three lengths in late June at Churchill. By design, the next race was the Personal Ensign after time off.

“She is really good right now,” McPeek said. “I fully expect her to do what she does. I like the draw (seven post). I'm happy she is not tucked down inside and has to wiggle out. This is an exciting race. Every time I run her, all eyes are on her.”

Thorpedo Anna is owned by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc., Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards and Judy Hicks.

Ok, so it's not Red Sox-Yankees, but Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) and Mullikin (Violence) have carved out a nice little equine rivalry this year. And it will continue Saturday when they meet for the third straight race in the GI, $500,000 Forego Stakes at Saratoga.

Book 'em Danno, owned by Atlantic Six Racing LLC, has won the first two, the GIII True North Stakes and the GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes, both at Saratoga.

He won the 6 ½-furlong True North by 1 ¼ lengths and the 6-furlong Vanderbilt by 2 ¼ lengths.

Book 'em Danno with Derek Ryan | Sarah Andrew

“Not really,” Book 'em Danno's trainer Derek Ryan said Thursday morning when asked if he thought this was a rivalry. “We have beat him twice. If he was going to beat me, I thought it would have been in the six (Vanderbilt).”

Book 'em Danno is the 8-5 morning line Forego favorite in the field of 11. He will be ridden by Paco Lopez.

Rodolphe Briset, who trains Mullikin, smiled when he was asked about the two horses.

“It is fun,” he said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track Thursday. “Maybe he is just a better horse. I am not a guy who is going to find an excuse. It's horse racing. You are going to lose more than you win.”

The Forego will be run at seven furlongs. Looking for an edge there? Good luck. Both horses have run it six times; both horses have three wins.

Ryan, who shipped Book 'em Danno to Saratoga from Monmouth Park on Monday, was nonchalant when discussing his 4-year-old. All he does is win. Fifteen times he has been to the races; nine times he has come a winner. In four starts at Saratoga, he has three wins.

But you wouldn't know he is a star racehorse by looking at him. Just ask Ryan.

“He does not have a ton of pedigree,” he said. “Look at him; he walks around there like an old donkey. If you would line up 10 horses, he would be the last one anyone would pick. He is not a pretty mover. He swings his left and he swings his right. That is his way.”

By now means is he degrading his horse. Ryan knows he can run. If he can claim the Forego, he will also lay claim as the best sprinter in the country.

Brisset and Mullikin, the 7-2 second choice, owned by WinStar Farm LLC, have other ideas. Mullikin has five wins and six seconds in 14 starts and will be ridden by Flavien Prat.

“He is the defending champion, he won a Grade I here, he loves the track,” Brisset said. “He just ran his lifetime best Beyer (106 in the Vanderbilt). I know he finished second, but he ran a winning race. We will bring him over there and try to beat him.”

The attention is all on Sovereignty (Into Mischief) on Travers Day.

The 2-5 morning-line favorite in the Midsummer Derby is not the only horse Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott will be saddling on Saturday.

He has Scotland (Good Magic) in the GI, $500,000 Forego and Scylla (Tapit), the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the GI, $500,000 Ballerina.

Scylla, owned by Juddmonte, is a hard knocking 5-year-old mare that has been consistent as they come for Mott. She has earned over $1 million in her 13-race career and has five wins, four seconds and a third.

In her most recent effort, she was third, beaten two lengths by Halina's Forte (Mitole) in the GII Honorable Miss.

“Out of her last three starts, we hit mud twice, which I don't think was in her favor,” Mott said outside his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track Thursday. “The other time it wasn't muddy, we hit Ways and Means (Practical Joke). She is a good, solid filly. Our challenge is to win a Grade I with her, that's what we would like to do.”

Scylla, who will be ridden by Flavien Prat, has been in four Grade Is; she was second in two of them, including last year's Ballerina.

Included in the eight she will face on Saturday is Hope Road (Quality Road), the 3-1 second choice.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Hope Road has won four of 11 career starts and is also looking for her first Grade I score.

“She is doing well,” Baffert said by phone Thursday from his summer base at Del Mar. “If she runs like she did on Kentucky Derby Day (second in the GIII Derby City Distaff Stakes), she has a good chance.”

Owned by Cicero Farms LLC, Hope Road will be ridden by Jose Ortiz for the first time.

The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: McPeek Expecting Big Performance From Thorpedo Anna in Personal Ensign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) on Thursday took initial steps to roll back parts of an in-race riding interference rule after both jockeys and stewards decided that several tweaks made to the regulation over the past decade aren't working in ways that stakeholders had anticipated.

The CHRB voted 6-0 on Aug. 21 to send amendments to Rule 1699 out for a public commentary period, after which commissioners will vote again to finalize any new changes before they go into effect.

A CHRB staff analysis of the changes that was published in the informational packet for Thursday's meeting described the situation like this:

“Rule 1699 currently provides that a jockey who rides contrary to the rule will face a minimum suspension of two riding days and [stewards] shall issue a suspension greater than the minimum for more than one infraction of this rule within a contiguous 60-day calendar period or any infraction which the steward determines jeopardized the safety of another horse or jockey.

“However, the rule has been deemed impractical by stakeholders and CHRB due to the lack of clarity,” the analysis stated.

“Therefore, CHRB staff recommends that regulations be amended to eliminate the minimum penalty for suspension and allow the stewards to either disqualify, suspend, or otherwise discipline a jockey who rides in a manner contrary to this rule and allowing the stewards to use their discretion,” the analysis stated.

“CHRB staff also recommends that regulations be amended to address a leading horse not crossing over to impel the passing horse to shorten its stride,” the analysis stated.

Prior to a brief discussion of the proposed changes, CHRB chairman Gregory Ferraro, DVM, explained that the impetus for the rule changes “actually started last summer, when I asked the stewards if they had one thing they would like to change, one rule they would like to change. This is it.

“So basically, we're giving the stewards judgment as to penalty, severity, length, et cetera,” Ferraro said.

CHRB Chief Steward Darrel McHargue added that all of the state's stewards are in agreement about the changes, and that The Jockeys' Guild also supports the amendment.

Back in November 2016, the CHRB attempted to simplify the rule's language and better define “interference” while also requiring stewards to issue enhanced penalties against jockeys who committed multiple infractions within a 90-day period or who jeopardized the safety of another horse or jockey.

In March 2018, the CHRB made a second rule tweak to enable stewards to discipline a jockey who rode in a manner contrary to the regulation in a careless or willful manner, or who strikes at another horse or jockey, by establishing a minimum penalty of two riding days.

That amendment also called for the issuance of a suspension greater than the minimum for more than one infraction of the rule by the jockey within a 60-day calendar period, or any infraction which, in the opinion of the stewards, jeopardized the safety of another horse or jockey.

But after nearly a decade of practical applications of Rule 1699 in officiating races, “The stakeholders and the Board have determined that these amendments do not function the way they anticipated and would prefer discretion when issuing a penalty,” the CHRB staff analysis stated.

“The regulation is vague regarding subsequent penalties and leads to the question if stewards are required to increase the penalty from the last ruling or if they are only obligated to increase the penalty above the minimum as described in the rule,” the analysis stated.

“The stakeholders feel that discretion is better on subsequent penalties rather than having to follow the rule because a garden-variety violation followed by a minor infraction may lead to too severe of a penalty for the second violation,” the analysis stated.

“The stakeholders and the Board also determined that interference did not cover all situations as anticipated,” the analysis stated.

McHargue told commissioners that by making the new amendments, “You're giving us more discretion to actually assess penalties.”

One change to Rule 1699 that got voted in now will re-assert that, “A leading horse is entitled to any part of the course, but when another horse is attempting to pass in a clear opening, the leading horse shall not cross over so as to compel the passing horse to shorten its stride.”

Another part of Rule 1699 that is currently written this way:

“A horse which interferes with another…may be disqualified and placed behind the horse so interfered with if, in the opinion of the Stewards, the horse interfered with was not at fault and due to the interference lost the opportunity for a better placing.”

Will be amended to instead state:

“A horse which interferes with another…may be disqualified and placed behind the horse so interfered with or last if, in the opinion of the Stewards, the horse interfered with was not at fault and the interference occurs in a part of the race where the horse interfered with loses the opportunity to place where it might be reasonably expected to finish.”

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Blue Devil Racing Stable's Celtic Dawn (Honest Mischief), who was vanned off after winning Saratoga's sixth race Wednesday afternoon, underwent surgery to repair a fracture to her left front pastern at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Thursday morning.

“Celtic Dawn was treated at Rood & Riddle in Saratoga and the surgery to stabilize an incomplete fracture of her pastern this morning went well,” said Blue Devil's Marc Holliday. “She is expected to make a full recovery.”

Trained by Carlos Martin, the New York bred homebred won the 5 1/2-furlong statebred test for 2-year-olds by three lengths. Taken off the turf because of rain, the track was officially listed as sloppy.

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   'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) is among late nominees for Del Mar's GI Pacific Classic Aug. 30. The 4-year-old is owned St. Elias Stables and Repole Stable, the latter also campaigns GI Stephen Foster winner Mindframe (Constitution). With the goal of keeping the two Repole runners separate until the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in November, Mindframe is slated to contest the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga Aug. 31. The Pacific Classic is also a 'Win & You're In' race for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Trainer Todd Pletcher worked Fierceness last Saturday at Saratoga. He went four furlongs in :47.66 (3/135).

The champion juvenile colt of 2023, Fierceness won last year's GI Florida Derby in addition to the GII Jim Dandy and GI Travers Stakes. Second to Sierra Leone in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic, he returned this year to win the GII Alysheba at Churchill Downs. Most recently, he was runner-up in the GI Met Mile in June and fourth last out in the GI Whitney earlier this month.

In other Pacific Classic news, 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist) worked Thursday at Del Mar, just five days since his last workout. He went five furlongs in :58.80 (3/31).

“He went very well,” Baffert noted, adding that he may give Nysos one more breeze before the race. “He'll probably go something easy next week. So far so good.”

Winner of the GIII Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar last season, the Baoma Corp. runner won this year's GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes in addition to the GIII Triple Bend and GII San Diego Stakes July 26. He was a neck second to Mindframe in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes in May.

In related news, this year's Pacific Classic card will be the richest day of racing ever (outside of the Breeders' Cup) at the seaside oval. The purses for the 11-race program add up to $2,374,000, over $100,000 more than the previous record set on Pacific Classic Day in 2023.

“The 10% purse increase going into this summer,” racing secretary David Jerkens gives as one of the reasons for the increase. “We also increased our Maiden Dirt Bonus inflating some purses to $100,000 and we have a couple of maiden races that day.”

The purses for the five stakes races on the Pacific Classic undercard remain the same as last year. The GII Del Mar Handicap and the GII Del Mar Mile are each worth $300,000. The GIII Green Flash and the GII Torrey Pines each have purses of $150,000.

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Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 225 entries, led by the dam of GI Kentucky Oaks runner up Drexel Hill (Bolt d'Oro), for its August Digital Sale, which may be viewed online here. Bidding is now open and will close Tuesday, August 26, beginning at 2 PM ET.

The catalogue offers horses of racing age, breeding stock (including mares with foals at foot), weanlings, yearlings, and a stallion prospect. A substantial portion of the catalogue is comprised of racing stock, including 85 horses of racing age and two-year-old racing prospects. These include recent stakes winning, stakes performing, and winning two-year-olds.

“We have a fantastic catalogue for our August Digital Sale,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “The horses of racing age on offer represent a strong group of in-form runners, eligible for a wide range of conditions. The sale also includes an exciting selection of two-year-olds–highlighted by a recent Saratoga stakes winner.”

“There is high class breeding stock on offer as well–'November' type quality that is available right now in August,” noted Aaron.

Featured offerings include:

Ascot Walk (hip 1): Multiple stakes producer and 100% winner producer is the dam of this year's GI Kentucky Oaks runner up and Busher Stakes winner Drexel Hill. She has also produced Regaled, a graded stakes placed earner of $219,110; and Grazie, a debut winning 2-year-old filly who runs in Friday's Seeking the Ante Stakes at Saratoga. In foal to Horse of the Year Cody's Wish, she is consigned by Turning Point Bloodstock, agent.

Blue Forty Two (hip 3): Debut winning 2-year-old, third in Dover Stakes on August 14. Consigned by Christopher Seale.

Crevalle d'Oro (hip 6): Graded stakes-placed daughter of Constitution. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Hoist the Gold (hip 9): A multiple Grade II winner, including a victory in the prestigious Cigar Mile, he also placed in three Grade I events–the Metropolitan Handicap, Churchill Downs Stakes, and Malibu Stakes–on his way to career earnings of over $1.5 million. Consigned by Watershed Bloodstock, agent for Dream Team Racing.

Hoist the Gold wins the GII Cigar Mile | Sarah Andrew

Sassy Fox (hip 19): Debut winning 2-year-old daughter of Flameaway, second in Blue Hen Stakes on August 14. Consigned by Buckland Sales, agent.

Bail Us Out (hip 37): Multiple graded stakes placed 4-year-old horse of racing age. Consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent.

Snow Face Princess (hip 39): 2-year-old daughter of Midshipman won Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga on August 17. She is out of a daughter of blue-hen producer Moonlight Sonata. Consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent.

Swamp King (hip 188): 2-year-old colt by Silver State won maiden special weight at Ellis Park on August 17. Consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent.

Plus 95 broodmares or broodmare prospects including: stakes producers, stakes-credentialed broodmare prospects, and mares in foal to the likes of Arabian Knight, Arcangelo, Candy Ride (Arg), Cody's Wish, Cyberknife, Kingsbarns, Prince of Monaco, Seize the Grey, Timberlake, and Yaupon.

To create an account or register to bid for the August Digital Sale, prospective buyers should visit here.

The post Dam Of Oaks Runner Up Drexel Hill Leads Fasig-Tipton August Digital Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

FOX broadcast network will provide television coverage of the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup from Saratoga Race Course Sunday, August 31, NYRA announced Thursday.

Additionally, a special edition of Saratoga Live presented by Caesars Sportsbook will air on FOX from 1-2 p.m.

To allow for national broadcast viewership, Jockey Club Gold Cup Day will feature a first post time of 11:20 a.m.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup, which offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in November at Del Mar, has attracted an all-star list of nominations, including last year's Breeders' Cup Classic-winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner); GI Stephen Foster-winner Mindframe (Constitution); and multiple Grade I-winner White Abarrio (Race Day).

“This is another example of FOX Sports' commitment to showcasing the best events in horse racing on their biggest platform,” said Tony Allevato, NYRA Chief Revenue Officer. “The Jockey Club Gold Cup could be one of the great races of the year, and we appreciate FOX Sports featuring the race before a national audience.”

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A year ago, trainer Chad Brown thought he had his best chance ever when he ran 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes. The best he could do as the 8-5 favorite was a third-place finish.

Brown accepted the verdict and vowed that he would keep trying to win the Midsummer Derby, a race he grew up with. The 46-year-old Brown grew up in the shadow of Saratoga Race Course, in nearby Mechanicville, so, of course, the Travers is the race for him.

When the Travers is run for the 156th time on Saturday, Brown will be represented but the expectations aren't nearly as high as they were a year ago. He will send the lightly raced 'TDN Rising Star' Strategic Focus (Gun Runner) to the starting gate for the 1 1/4-mile race.

Owned by Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables Inc., Strategic Focus is the 6-1 third choice on the morning line in the five-horse field. The favorite is the imposing Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who is 2-5.

“I am taking a shot,” Brown said in his office at the Oklahoma Training Track. “I am not going in with any expectations like I am going to win the race, but I am going in with a horse that I think is far better than his last race.”

That last race was the Curlin, where Strategic Focus finished third as the 3-5 favorite behind stablemate and 'TDN Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), who is running Saturday in the seven-furlong, $500,000 GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes.

At the top of the stretch in the Curlin, it looked like Strategic Focus and jockey Flavien Prat were going to win for fun, but he ended up a half-length behind Chancer McPatrick.

“I believe he pulled himself up last time due to inexperience,” said Brown, who will equip Strategic Focus with blinkers for the Travers. “I believe this horse has a lot of ability. I loved him in the Curlin. I'm not saying he is good enough to compete with Sovereignty, but I am saying there is more there.”

Strategic Focus, a $500,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, did not race as a 2-year-old. He broke his maiden at Aqueduct in April and then won a first-level allowance at Saratoga on June 6 but was disqualified and placed second.

The final decision is in. White Abarrio (Race Day) will stay in Saratoga to run in the $1-million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 31.

White Abarrio Tuesday morning at the Spa | Sarah Andrew

“We want to stay here and take on the best,” trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. said on the soggy Saratoga backstretch Wednesday morning. “And we think he is the best.”

White Abarrio, owned by Gary Barber, C Two Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable LLC, was originally being pointed to a trip West, to run in the $1-million GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 30.

“When that statement (from co-owner Mark Cornett of C Two Racing) came out, California was the front runner, 100 percent,” Joseph said. “The horse sold us to stay here. The ownership group decided (Tuesday) that he was going to run here.”

Joseph said that White Abarrio, who is scheduled to work Thursday morning, is doing very well and that was one of the reasons the decision was made to stay home. The other was that it is easier to run out of his own stall rather to fly cross country.

White Abarrio finished fourth in the GI Whitney Stakes on Aug. 2. By staying for the Jockey Club Gold Cup, he will be facing the likes of Whitney winner Sierra Leone and 'TDN Rising Star' Mindframe (Constitution), two of the top-ranked older horses in the country.

The Pacific Classic is expected to attract the Bob Baffert-trained 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist), who has won two of three this year, including the GII San Diego Handicap in his last start. Another possible starter is 3-year-old Journalism (Curlin), who won the GI Preakness Stakes and was second in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes.

Joseph said he will have to get a new rider for White Abarrio. Irad Ortiz, Jr., who has ridden the 6-year-old gray in his last 10 starts, is committed to ride Mindframe in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

“I have thoughts, but I am going to keep those to myself,” Joseph said.

White Abarrio has two wins in four starts this year, the biggest being the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Mar. 29. He has finished fourth in last two starts, the other being the GI Met Mile, also at Saratoga, on June 7.

“The horse is giving me the right signs,” Joseph said. “We feel like he is going to run his best (in the Jockey Club Gold Cup). Is his best going to be good enough? You never know. Another horse might run a better best.”

The ultimate goal for White Abarrio is the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 2, a race he won at Santa Anita in 2023. Joseph said that sometime after the Jockey Club Gold Cup, he will send White Abarrio back to his home base in Florida and ship to California from there.

The first two starts of the year would not instill confidence to anyone who is a fan of the 4-year-old filly Brightwork (Outwork).

But those two races weren't at Saratoga. The next one is.

Brightwork in one of her recent Saratoga works | Sarah Andrew

Brightwork, trained by John Ortiz, loves it at the Spa. She has won all three of her starts at Saratoga, all of them graded stakes, including the GI Spinaway when she was a 2-year-old. Last year, she won the GIII Prioress here.

She will try to keep her perfect Saratoga record intact when she runs in the $500,000 GI Ballerina at seven furlongs.

“I don't know, but she usually blossoms here,” Ortiz said Wednesday morning at his barn on the Saratoga backstretch. “Whether it's the Saratoga air or the track or the track kitchen sitting next to our barn … she just has really sparked since we got here. It has shown up in all her workouts.”

Brightwork has had five works since arriving in Saratoga in mid-July.

“We had no plans on running her in the Ballerina,” Ortiz said. “What we were initially trying to do was to train her and get her back to her old self. She has gained a ton of weight, and she is brighter and sharper than she was in Kentucky.”

In her first two starts this year, she was fourth in the GIII Winning Colors and eighth in the GII Chicago, both at Churchill Downs.

The Winning Colors was her first start since October.

“We tried to make the Winning Colors right off the farm,” Ortiz said. “I think sometimes you are chasing a spot more than getting a horse ready for the right race. We were burning up too many calories to catch up to her fitness and it showed. She was just not happy. Now, she is back to herself. She is happy and, honestly, there is nothing better than running a happy horse.”

Brightwork, owned by WSS Racing, is 15-1 on the Ballerina morning line. She will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez for the first time.

“I think she will be,” Ortiz said when asked if he thought Brightwork would be overlooked, “but she always has been. Look at all her races. She has never really been the favorite when she has won and that's okay. It's not about favoritism or numbers. It's about knowing your horse and when to run her.”

The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Brown Taking a Travers Shot with Strategic Focus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

6th-Saratoga, $90,000, (S), Msw, 8-20, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f (off turf), 1:04.58, sy, 3 lengths.
CELTIC DAWN (f, 2, Honest Mischief–Tapa Liath, by Paddy O'Prado) was meant for the grass here but wound up rained off onto a sloppy main track for her debut facing fellow New York-breds. Caught inside from her rail gate, the 6-1 shot had to work to get position and was shuffled back while in tight at the half-mile pole. Fanned out from fourth to bid wide into the stretch, she had plenty of late run left and closed nicely to take over from late leader Midtown Mischief (Honest Mischief) and win by three lengths with Hot Currency (Central Banker) getting home second. Following the race, Celtic Dawn returned to the winner's circle lame in the left front and was vanned off to Rood & Riddle for further examination according to a release from NYRA. A social media post from trainer Carlos Martin revealed his filly has suffered a pastern facture and would have surgery. Tapa Liath has not reported a foal since Celtic Dawn in 2023 but was sent back to Honest Mischief for a full-sibling in 2026. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Blue Devil Racing Stable (NY); T-Carlos F. Martin.

thank all the nyra staff and vets for their care and handling of our beautiful filly Celtic dawn thankfully rood and riddle one of the best clinics in the works down the street from Saratoga racecourse ! After x-rays a pastern fracture was discovered surgery will be performed…

— Carlos martin (@TrainerCMartin) August 20, 2025

The post Celtic Dawn Best In NY State-Bred Maiden But Vanned Off Post-Race appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Apprentice jockeys are not supposed to win stakes races, let alone a $1-million race that is among the most coveted prizes in Canadian racing. But that's exactly what 20-year-old Pietro Moran, who has been dubbed “The Baby-Faced Bandit,” did last week, winning the King's Plate at Woodbine aboard the Kevin Attard-trained Mansetti (Collected). Moran, who is also the leading rider at Woodbine, has had quite the year. To discuss the King's Plate, his future, what it's like to ride against his father, David Moran, and other topics, Moran joined this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was this week's Gainesway Guest of the Week.

“I never would have thought that I'd get a King's Plate opportunity my first full year,” said Moran, who finished fourth in the 2024 King's Plate aboard Pierre (Tapiture) for Attard. “Im just so thankful for the opportunity. Obviously, Kevin Attard has been a huge supporter of my career and he got me started. And he's given me countless opportunities. My first ride in the Plate was a big opportunity and now I've had my first King's Plate winner in just my second year. I wouldn't be here without (Attard). I still can't believe it. To win the biggest race in Canada…I'm just still flying high.”

Moran said there was never a time when he didn't want to be a jockey.

“I think that even before I could walk or talk I wanted to be a jockey,” Moran said. “I always wanted to ride horses and be a jockey and I could never see myself doing anything else. I was always just so into the game and watching my dad ride. I was always working towards getting to ride races and slowly it became a reality.”

Moran is a lock to be named champion apprentice in Canada and the favorite to win the Eclipse Award as the leading apprentice in North America. He's hoping there will be many more accolades to come.

“I would love to be somewhere in the States,” he said when asked where he hoped to be in five years. “Obviously, my dream is to be able to ride in all the big races, the graded stakes. I'd like to be able to get on really good horses every year and ride in races like the Derby and the Breeders' Cup. That's the goal.”

The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}, who got a 104 Beyer figure when winning the GI E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/ST TV,  the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, the KTOB and XBTV.com, the team of Zoe Cadman, Bill Finley and Randy Moss reviewed the E.P. Taylor and the win by Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GI Alabama Stakes at Saratoga, which pushed her to the head of the class when it comes to the Eclipse Award race. Saturday's card at Saratoga, which is topped by the GI Travers and four other Grade I stakes, was a major topic of conversation. Can they beat Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the Travers? The team doesn't see that happening.

Click for the either the audio or video version of the podcast.

The post The ‘Baby-Faced’ Bandit Pietro Moran Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 08/18/2025

Licensee: Anna Meah, trainer

Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Admission.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Trouble Ahead on 7/9/25.

Date: 08/15/2025

Licensee: Agustin Gonzalez Jr., trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on August 16, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horses' Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. The following treated as one violation. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Lidocaine—a Class B controlled substance—in samples taken from C V Ronin Legacy, who finished second at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 6/19/25; from Skippinjustice, who finished second at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 6/24/25; and from Money War, who finished second in the William Garrett H. at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 7/4/25.

Date: 08/15/2025

Licensee: Timothy Murphy, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horses' Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000 ($500 for each Controlled Medication Substance); imposition of 3 Penalty Points (1.5 Penalty Points for each Controlled Medication Substance). The following treated as one violation. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Phenylbutazone and Methocarbamol—both Class C controlled substances—in a sample taken from More Vino, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 5/12/25; and for the presence of Methocarbamol—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Tacony Road, who won the George W. Barker Stakes at Finger Lakes on 5/26/25.

Date: 08/15/2025

Licensee: Timothy Murphy, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on August 16, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Lookin' Super, who finished fourth at Finger Lakes on 6/9/25.

Pending ADMC Violations

08/20/2025, Michael Sabine, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Flattery's Music, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 7/22/25.

08/20/2025, Kay Cooper, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Precise Timing, who won the Kent Stakes at Emerald Downs on 7/20/25.

08/20/2025, Jose Roberto Gonzalez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Testosterone—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Ol' McClintock, who finished third at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 4/22/25.

08/15/2025, Tomas Medina, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled substance on Night Kiss during the race period dated 7/5/25. Night Kiss did not make a start that day.

08/15/2025, Sergio Morfin, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Lady Dosia, who finished sixth at Santa Anita on 6/12/25.

08/15/2025, William Robert Bailes, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Next Girl, who finished second at Laurel Park on 6/6/25.

08/14/2025, Ilias Tapsas, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a Class B controlled substance—in a sample taken from Modern Midas on 7/7/25.

08/14/2025, Jesus Nunez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Erebus, who finished second at Los Alamitos on 7/6/25.

08/14/2025, Steve Asmussen, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Jackman on 6/20/25.

08/14/2025, Tianna Richardville, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from R Guy Max, who finished third at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 5/15/25.

Violations of Crop Rule

Horseshoe Indianapolis

Marcelino Pedroza – violation date August 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension

The post National Regulatory Rulings, Aug. 14-20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Major Reduction of Harris Farms closed Tuesday afternoon with 75 horses sold for $1,045,000. The sale offered horses of racing age and broodmares, including those with foals at foot.

Nu Pi Lambda (hip 50), in foal to Liam's Map, sold for $200,000 to Hinkle Farms to top the session. The winning City Zip mare is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and course record setter Deterministic (Liam's Map). She was offered carrying her first foal on that proven cross.

The sale led off on a high note, with Happy to Buy (hip 1) sold for $75,000 to Legacy Ranch Inc. A two-year-old daughter of Good Magic out of the winning Distorted Humor mare I'mnotshyi'llbuy, Happy to Buy entered the sale off a pair of timed works at Del Mar.

“It's bittersweet to offer a reduction of a farm that's a household name,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales. “But California really stepped up with almost 600 bidder registrations and very lively bidding. I think many involved wanted to own a piece of the legacy that is Harris Farms. We appreciate the opportunity to conduct this major reduction.”

“We are very pleased overall and would like to thank Fasig-Tipton for their help,” said Johnny Hilvers, General Manager of the Harris Horse Division. “There was a lot of interest in these offerings, and we look forward to seeing these horses continue on for all their new owners.”

The Major Reduction of Harris Farms, the Thoroughbred operation of leading California breeder and owner John C. Harris, was announced August 6 and opened for bidding on August 14. Harris, who recently passed away at the age of 81, led one of California's largest and most prominent breeding, racing, and stallion operations for more than four decades.

Harris Farms will continue to race and breed Thoroughbreds going forward.

“Harris Farms remains committed to racing in the Harris Farms silks and honoring the legacy of John Harris, albeit at a reduced number with a focus on high quality California-breds,” commented Darren Filkins, Chief Executive Officer of Harris Farms, Inc.

Full results are available online.

The next digital sale will be the August Digital Sale, to be held August 21-26. Bidding opens this Thursday at 12 PM ET.

The post Nu Pi Lambda Tops Harris Farms Reduction on Fasig-Tipton Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

5. READY FOR CANDY, SAR, 8/17, 1 1/8 miles (turf) (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-86
(f, 3, by Twirling Candy–Enoree, by More Than Ready)
O-Lindy Farms. B-Mark Dodson (Ont-C). T-Philip Antonacci. J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
The Antonacci family is legendary in harness racing, but has had success with thoroughbreds, too, and February $400k Fasig Tipton buy Ready for Candy made a splash at Saratoga in her 3-year-old debut. Now trained by young Phil Antonacci, she controlled the pace to the stretch then zipped away by 7 ¾ lengths. For her previous connections, she competed in five straight Woodbine stakes as a 2-year-old maiden, with two 2nds and a 3rd.

4. EXPLORA, DMR, 8/17, 5 1/2 furlongs, 'TDN Rising Star' (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 88
(f, 2, by Blame–Collections Choice, by Bernardini)
O-Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. B-Mesingw Farm (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. J-Juan Hernandez.
This will surprise no one but still bears mentioning: Baffert has started 2-year-olds in 12 maiden races thus far in 2025 with eight wins, including four 1-2 finishes. A week earlier, 1/5 Sorrento Stakes winner Himika looked like a legit early favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, but Explora also ran fast and couldn't have taken her debut more easily for the “Three Amigos” ownership group.

3. BELGIAN, SAR, 8/14, 5 1/2 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 90
(c, 2, by Beau Liam–Watch Smartly, by Smart Strike)
O-Newtown Anner Stud Farm. B-Springhouse Farm (Ky). T-George Weaver. J-Javier Castellano.
Belgian is from the first crop of former Stonestreet runner Beau Liam, standing at Airdrie Stud for $6k after a promising career cut short by injury. Watch Smartly was a mediocre racehorse whose foals had gotten mostly mediocre results. But Belgian's debut was hardly mediocre: an 11-length sloppy off-the-turf Spa romp. Before this, Beau Liam's 32 starters had topped out at 67 on the Beyer scale, but Belgian raised that bar considerably.

2. IT'S OUR TIME, SAR, 8/16, 6 1/2 furlongs, 'TDN Rising Star' (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 94
(c, 2, by Not This Time–Shea D Summer, by Summer Front)
O-Double Down Horse Racing. B-South Gate Farm (Va). T-Tom Amoss. J-Luis Saez.
Amoss has celebrated big wins at Saratoga previously–Heritage of Gold won the GII Diana and GI Go For Wand in 1999-2000, a decade later Backtalk won the GII Sanford, and Serengeti Empress took the GI Ballerina before an empty grandstand in 2020. This was memorable in a different way: no fancy trophy and no Roman numerals, but instead a jaw-dropping 17 3/4 length debut victory by It's Our Time that went viral in racing circles and puts him high on lists for major fall 2-year-old stakes.

1. SEMPER PRIMUS, ELP, 8/17, 6 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure- 100
(c, 3, by Improbable–Inaugurate, by Empire Maker)
O-Doubledown Stables. B-Glen Hill Farm (Ky). T-James DiVito. J-Walter Rodriguez.
We have a double down exacta!  No. 2 fastest maiden It's Our Time (above) belongs to Elza and Alex Mitchum, a father-son combo billed as Double Down Horse Racing – not to be confused with Doubledown Stables of Richard and Diane Templer, whose Semper Primus is our No. 1 fastest maiden of last week. His 8 1/4-length rout of Ellis Park maidens earned the second-highest Beyer since Five Fastest Maidens began in early May, a tick behind Brant's 101 last month at Del Mar. In three starts over three months, Semper Primus' has improved his Beyers from 52 to 85 to 100, a true doubledown.

The post Fastest Maidens, Presented By Taylor Made, For Aug. 11-18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Having previously done all of her racing in New York, Dry Powder shipped down to Parx to pick up her first stakes win in Tuesday's Cathryn Sophia Stakes. A head behind Sweet Seraphine (Quality Road) in the Wilton Stakes two back at Aqueduct, she stepped into the deep end and wound up third, albeit the length of the stretch back, in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks behind Scottish Lassie (McKinzie) at Saratoga July 19.

Given a 7-1 shot here, the daughter of Gun Runner showed speed but was outrun to her inside by Taliesin (Vekoma) and Fede (Adios Charlie) who shot out to lead. A comfortable third and clear along the outside, Dry Powder sat cozy into the far turn through the half in :46.78, took aim at the fading pacesetter and drove past to win decisively over closers Ourdaydreaminggirl and Disco Rules who both outran their long odds (18-1 and 16-1 respectively) to complete the trifecta.

The 44th stakes winner for Gun Runner, Dry Powder was a $525,000 KEESEP grad two years ago. She is out of Tell All, who sold for $240,000 with the winner in utero at the Pin Oak Stud Sale in 2021. Tell All herself is a half to MGSW Overheard (Macho Uno). And while she lost her 2025 Uncle Mo foal, she is due back next season to Horse of the Year Flightline.

#11 DRY POWDER ($17.00) got the lead coming to the stretch and pulled away to easily win the $200,000 Cathryn Sophia Stakes at Parx. The daughter of Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) was ridden by @luissaezpty, is trained by Chad Summers, and owned by Gold Square. pic.twitter.com/NGmEifnUXG

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 19, 2025

CATHRYN SOPHIA S., $200,000, Parx Racing, 8-19, 3yo, f, 1m 70y, 1:40.59, ft.
1–DRY POWDER, 121, f, 3, by Gun Runner
          1st Dam: Tell All, by Broken Vow
          2nd Dam: Whisper to Me, by Thunder Gulch
          3rd Dam: Word to the Wise, by Diesis (GB)
($525,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Gold
Square LLC; B-Corser Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Chad
Summers; J-Luis Saez. $100,800. Lifetime Record: GISP,
5-2-2-1, $245,400.
2–Ourdaydreaminggirl, 121, f, 3, Instagrand–Itsinthestars,
by Astrology. ($50,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $50,000 2yo '24
OBSAPR). O-Bran Jam Stable and Clark, David W.; B-Pippa's
Hurricane (KY); T-Louis C. Linder, Jr. $33,600.
3–Disco Rules, 121, f, 3, Constitution–Disco Barbie, by Pure
Prize. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Diane Louise Manning (PA);
T-Riley Mott. $16,800.
Margins: 4 1/4, 1 3/4, HF. Odds: 7.50, 18.00, 16.90.
Also Ran: Taliesin, Sweet Seraphine, Table Flirt, Pretty Sassy, Fede, Five a Side, Decadent, Ruth, Brown Sugar, Reply. Scratched: Princess of Omaha, Volleyballprincess. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Dry Powder Gets First Stakes Win In Cathryn Sophia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.