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Kentucky Derby Winner Mystik Dan to Stand at Airdrie Stud

Thoroughbred Daily News - Mon, 2025-06-16 09:16

Mystik Dan (Goldencents–Ma'am, by Colonel John), the winner of the GI Kentucky Derby in 2024, is set to stand stud at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Kentucky, upon the conclusion of his racing career, according to a press release from the farm Monday morning.

A three-time graded stakes winner with earnings to date of more than $4.4 million, Mystik Dan has been campaigned throughout his career by trainer Kenny McPeek for the ownership group of Lance Gasaway, 4G Racing LLC, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC.

Mystik Dan first gained attention with an emphatic 7 3/4-length maiden victory going 5 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs in November of his juvenile season. The performance was good for a 96 Beyer Speed Figure, one of the top numbers recorded by a juvenile that year. His Kentucky Derby victory came over a strong field which included Grade I winners Sierra Leone, Forever Young, Dornoch and Fierceness, among others, and highlighted a 3-year-old campaign that also included an eight-length win in Oaklawn's GIII Southwest Stakes, as well as second- and third-place finishes in the GI Preakness Stakes and GII Arkansas Derby, respectively.

In his most recent start, the 4-year-old returned to the Churchill Downs winner's circle with a victory in the GIII Blame on May 31, setting a new stakes record in the process. Mystik Dan is scheduled to make his next start in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes on June 28, with a season-ending goal of the Breeders' Cup World Championships in Del Mar.

The first foal out of his owner's four-time winning Colonel John mare, Ma'am, Mystik Dan's immediate female family includes Grade I winners Laragh and Siphonic as well as the multiple graded-stakes winning millionaire Summer Front.

“His historic win in the Kentucky Derby will ensure that name recognition will never be an issue for Mystik Dan,” said Airdrie's Bret Jones, “but what we really want is for breeders to focus on some of the other performances that showcase how genuinely talented he has always been. His win at two, where he opens up seven lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs and runs a near-100 Beyer is as impressive as any juvenile race you'll ever see. And it's that same brilliant turn of foot that he showed when winning the Southwest by eight lengths that allowed him to open up a clear advantage in the Derby stretch despite being close to a pace that sent every other forwardly-placed horse to the back of the field.”

Mystik Dan earlier this year | Zoe Metz

He continued, “He's shown that he can train on with a stakes-record performance in the Blame and I know Kenny really believes he's poised to be one of the best older horses in the country this year. He's an exceptional talent with that unmistakable Into Mischief look and we couldn't be more grateful to his great ownership team for the opportunity to stand their Kentucky Derby winner.”

“I trained a great sire in Harlan's Holiday,” affirmed trainer Kenny McPeek, “And I promise you Mystik Dan is every bit as good or better than Harlan's Holiday ever was. Honestly, he reminds me of Northern Dancer in the way he's made and the way he moves –he's just exceptionally balanced and athletic. He's got such great speed and he stays. Those are traits everyone wants in a racehorse. I think he's got every chance to be a really top stallion and we're going to be breeding and buying a lot of them!”

Co-owner Lance Gasaway added, “Mystik Dan has given us the ride of a lifetime and we sure think he's going to give us some more great days before it's all said and done. He's such a calm and personable horse; always such a pleasure to be around. We are going to miss him when the time comes, but we are honored to partner with Airdrie Stud and very excited for what the future holds.”

The post Kentucky Derby Winner Mystik Dan to Stand at Airdrie Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Dylan Davis Sits Out Sunday at Big A, Will Miss Two Additional Days

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sun, 2025-06-15 16:40

Jockey Dylan Davis, who began a three-day suspension Sunday because of an infraction caused in a June 6 allowance at Saratoga, will also miss Thursday and Friday's cards, reports DRF.

He was suspended by the New York stewards because of a ride aboard 'TDN Rising Star' Strategic Focus (Gun Runner), who crossed the wire first but was subsequently demoted to second behind stablemate Malarchuk (Nyquist). Both colts are trained by Chad Brown.

Davis, who served a two-day suspension June 12-13 because of a whip violation stemming from a ride at the Big A May 15, was also fined $1,000 for that earlier infraction.

The post Dylan Davis Sits Out Sunday at Big A, Will Miss Two Additional Days appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Course Record Scorer Rhiannon Possible for Diana; MGSW Saffron Moon Retired

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sun, 2025-06-15 15:21

CHP Racing's Rhiannon (Medaglia d'Oro) marked her first race back following a seven-month respite with an emphatic four-length score in a Big A optional claimer Friday. Setting a course record of 1:45.60 for nine panels in the process, the 5-year-old mare may her next start in the GI Dunkin' Diana Stakes at Saratoga July 12, according to owner Phil Hatfield, who operates CHP Racing with his wife Christine.

“That's what everybody is talking about, and we hope that happens,” Hatfield said.

Trainer Chad Brown, who conditions the mare, has won the Diana a record nine times.

“[Brown] loves to win every race there, doesn't he–but the Diana, especially,” Hatfield said. “If she ends up in the Diana, we'll get up there one way or the other. It's fun to have horses with him…Rhiannon has proven herself now, so we'll look forward to seeing where he goes with her.”

The lightly-raced bay was making just her fifth career start and first since a confident four-length allowance win in November in her lone start in 2024. She made three sophomore starts, including a second-out graduation in September 2023 before a close fifth in the GIII Pebbles Stakes that November, both at the Big A.

“[The win] was an exciting race for us because that mare has been stop, start, stop, start. Chad has done a great job and been very patient with her,” Hatfield added.

Rhiannon was selected by Mike Ryan for $550,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and was broken in Florida by Niall Brennan.

“She's exciting,” said Hatfield of Rhiannon, named after Fleetwood Mac's famed song of the same name. “She's a big mare, probably 16.3 [hands] but a lot of refinement–she's my kind of horse, elegant with a lot of leg underneath her. She has every bit of that.”

According to Hatfield, fellow CHP runner Saffron Moon (Malibu Moon), third in her most recent start in the May 2 GIII Modesty Stakes at Churchill Downs, has officially been retired.

Winner of last season's GII Hillsborough Stakes and GIII Endeavour Stakes, the daughter of Crocus Hill (Medaglia d'Oro) retires with five wins and $499,325 in career earnings.

“She won graded races back-to-back this winter in Florida. Unfortunately, in the race on Kentucky Oaks Day, she came in third and she ended up getting injured and we had to retire her,” Hatfield said. “Hopefully, Rhiannon can pick up where she left off this year.”

Praetor (Into Mischief), also trained by Brown and co-owned by CHP, finished third behind Gosger (Nyquist) in Keeneland's GIII Lexington Stakes Apr. 12 and appeared poised to make his return in the June 7 GI Woody Stephens in Saratoga forced to miss what would have been his first shot at the Grade I level. Co-owned with William Lawrence and Gainesway Stable, the $725,000 KEESEP yearling purchase kicked off 2025 with an eye-catching 7 1/2-length score in a Gulfstream allowance Mar. 9.

“He was ready to go, [but] he got sick,” said Hatfield. “He was cranked and ready to do well Chad thought and unfortunately, we had to pull back. He's back training again, but I'm not sure where Chad has him pointed.”

Third behind 'TDN Rising Star' Ferocious (Flatter) at the Spa last summer, the bay graduated by a neck over subsequent Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief) at the Big A last September.

The post Course Record Scorer Rhiannon Possible for Diana; MGSW Saffron Moon Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Motorious Returns With Flashy Daytona Win

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2025-06-15 15:16
Returning from a 6 1/2-month layoff, Motorious showed no signs of rust as he mowed down his competition to win the $100,500 Daytona Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park June 14.

Charles Town Cancels Remainder of June 14 Card

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2025-06-15 15:16
After the first three races were run without incident over a track labeled sloppy, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has canceled the remainder of its June 14 card as a result of lingering thunderstorms and heavy rain.

Belmont Park Barn Under Quarantine After Strangles Case

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2025-06-15 15:16
The New York Racing Association and the New York State Gaming Commission have placed Barn 28 at Belmont Park under a 14-day precautionary quarantine until further notice due to a positive case of strangles in that barn.

Whiskey Decision, Redistricting Score on Monmouth Grass

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2025-06-15 15:16
The two stakes races on the grass on Haskell Preview Day at Monmouth Park belonged to trainer Chad Brown.

Fondly Takes Them All the Way in Delaware Oaks

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2025-06-15 15:16
Bouncing back from a disappointing run in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables' Fondly took the field gate to wire in the $300,000 Delaware Oaks (G3) at Delaware Park June 14.

Take Charge Milady Edges Immersive in Monomoy Girl

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2025-06-15 15:16
Racing June 14 in the $168,450 Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs, Take Charge Milady did what no filly could do last year: beat champion Immersive.

Bishops Bay Outclasses Rivals in Sloppy Salvator Mile

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2025-06-15 15:16
Although he failed to pick up his feet over the slop on Derby Day, Bracket Buster was undeterred by Monmouth Park's wet track June 14, splashing home an eye-catching winner of the $162,000 Pegasus Stakes.

Beau Liam Colt Clocks Record-Tying Quarter at OBS June

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2025-06-15 15:16
Hip 829, a colt by Beau Liam, equaled the Ocala Breeders' Sales track record for a quarter-mile when he worked in :20 1/5 during the fifth and final under tack session for the OBS June 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale.

Not This Time Colt Stars And Stripes Flies Maiden Flag At Big A

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sun, 2025-06-15 15:06

1st-Belmont The Big A, $82,450, Msw, 6-15, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:49.19, sy, 10 1/2 lengths.
STARS AND STRIPES (c, 3, Not This Time–Pearl River, by Quality Road) debuted in third at long odds during the Belmont At The Big A meet May 17. Trying two turns as the 85 cents on the dollar choice here, the colt was second and continued to flank a longshot leader for much of the backstretch. Pressing the pace at the top of the stretch, Stars and Stripes took off for home and quickly opened up several lengths on his rivals. Hopping the tire tracks, Stars and Stripes graduated in geared down fashion by 10 1/2 lengths over Makes Sense (Street Sense). The winner's dam is responsible for GIII Pucker Up Stakes heroine Waves of Mischief (Into Mischief), who was also bred by the Wygods. Pearl River's final foal is unraced current 2-year-old colt Ten Star Fleet (Nyquist). Stars and Stripes unraced second dam is a full-sister to both champion 2-year-old filly Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat) and MGISW Life Is Sweet. Sales history: $100,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $56,950. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Frassetto Stables LLC; B-Pam & Martin Wygod (KY); T-William I. Mott.

The post Not This Time Colt Stars And Stripes Flies Maiden Flag At Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Week in Review: A New Starting Gate Board at Gulfstream, What Does it Mean?

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sun, 2025-06-15 14:02

1/ST Racing is looking at a lot of scenarios concerning the future of Gulfstream. There's decoupling, selling the property and building a casino. It's anybody's guess what 1/ST will eventually do with Gulfstream but to think that it will still be open for racing 10 years from now seems overly optimistic.

Then again…

It may be a small thing but Gulfstream announced on Friday that it will soon launch a state-of-the-art high resolution digital starting gate board.

Gulfstream has partnered with BSV Digital to replace the static signage at the starting gate with a digital board that includes a lot of bells and whistles. The new gate will display everything from post positions and race logos to seasonal branding and partner messaging. The starting  gate will become a living, breathing bill board, much like some of the billboards you see on the highway that change from one message to another 20 seconds or so.

“From billboards to scoreboards, our big screens make landmarks, organizations, and venues across North America more attractive to the crowds you want to engage,” BSV boasts on its website. “If you're looking for signage, a full AV upgrade, curved billboard or a video screen above the water, chances are BSV Digital Displays have tackled it all before.”

There's more: “Making racing a breeze-up BSV can manage your full video board project from initial design and concept phase. Racing venues demand high-level product quality. With years of experience in video boards, semaphore boards, parapet signage and winning post screens, we can showcase your races in high-definition clarity and precision,” reads the message on the website.

I tried to figure out how much the starting gate message board would costs, but couldn't find even an estimate. But it's obviously not going to be cheap. Which begs the question: why would Gulfstream spend any significant amount of money on the track or track upgrades when it's very possible that the track won't be operating much longer?

Is this a sign that Belinda Stronach has done a 180 and is going to dedicate herself to seeing to it that racing survives in Hallandale Beach? Probably not. That would be too much to ask for.

Buy why spend the money on the starting gate board when the current one is fine and the track's future is in jeopardy? Shouldn't she be cutting corners to saving money in anticipation of Gulfstream closing? It just doesn't add up.

 

'TDN Rising Star' Antonio Fresu

Antonio Fresu finished fifth in the standings at the Santa Anita meet that concluded on Apr. 29 with 29 winners. It was neither a good meet for him nor a bad meet. Fresu has grown used to finishing behind California kingpin Juan Hernandez in the standings. But with the current meet coming to a conclusion Sunday it looks like Fresu will win his first ever riding title in the U.S. With one day left of racing coming into Sunday's card the Italian born jockey had a 32-29 lead over Juan Hernandez. Hernandez has won the last seven riding title at Santa Anita.

“Everybody wants to be the leading rider,” Fresu said. “That's what we work for, to win as many races as we can and to be recognized all over the country. Being the leading rider here is the type of achievement that everyone will see. Juan has been the leading jockey ever since I came here. I came close to him a couple of times. It would be nice for me to bring it home.”

Fresu, 33, came to Southern California in April of 2023 after riding in Dubai and Italy and rode just 13 winners in his first full meet here.

“To think that I might be leading rider someday would have been too much to expect,” he said.

But Fresu still has at least one more major door to knock down. Even with his success in the California, he's not getting called upon to ride in the marquee racing events like the Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup. He has ridden in just one Derby. He finished seventh with Stronghold (Ghostzapper) in 2024 after guiding that could to win in the GI Santa Anita Derby. He has never won a Breeders' Cup race. He was 0-for-2 in 2023 and 0-for-4 in 2024.

Part of the problem is that has made very few inroads into the Bob Baffert barn. He has ridden for him just 11 times and has won three races for the Hall of Famer.

Fresu did win Saturday's feature at Santa Anita, the GIII Daytona Stakes aboard Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar ({GB} for trainer Phil D'Amato.

When asked about his future, he said: “I can't answer that. Nobody knows the future. I'm just trying to enjoy the moment and see what happens. In this sport you have to find the right horse at the right time, Unfortunately, I haven't been that lucky but we will keep trying.”

He said his immediate goals were to keep improving and to have a good meet at Del Mar. He's young, he can ride and people are starting to pay attention. His future should be bright.

 

Delaware's First Derby

You can see why every racing jurisdiction wants to be home to a Derby. Saturday, Delaware Park ran its first ever Delaware Derby. It was an ungraded race with a purse of just $200,000 and there were no stars in the field of eight. The race was won by Admiral Dennis (Constitution), who is trained by Brad Cox.

The card included five stakes races and only one of them, the GIII Delaware Oaks, was graded. Delaware has had big cards like this before, but never one that included that magic word, “Derby.”

So what happened? They shattered their all-time handle record. On a 10-race card, the players pushed $6.5 million through the windows, breaking the record set in 2007. On that occasion, with a 12-race card, they handled $4.98 million.

The post Week in Review: A New Starting Gate Board at Gulfstream, What Does it Mean? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Mystik Dan Works for Stephen Foster

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sun, 2025-06-15 13:14

GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) returned to the Churchill Downs work tab Sunday with a five-furlong breeze in 1:00 under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., preparing for a likely start in the $1-million GI Stephen Foster Stakes June 28.

Mystik Dan, who won the GII Blame Stakes on May 31, breezed at 7:15 a.m. EST.

He began his move with a three-furlong split of :36.80 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

Owned by 4 G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby and Valley View Farm, Mystik Dan is one of two horses trained by Kenny McPeek nominated to the Stephen Foster. The other, GSP Gould's Gold (Goldencents), also worked Sunday, covering five furlongs in 1:00.20.

A total of 20 horses were nominated to the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster, including Sierra Leone, winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic; Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), winner of the G1 Dubai World Cup; and Mindframe (Constitution), who was victorious in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

 

The post Mystik Dan Works for Stephen Foster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Game Winner Colt Sierra Silver Nets Maiden Win At ‘Great Race Place’

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sat, 2025-06-14 21:03

9th-Santa Anita, $61,500, Msw, 6-14, 3, 4,/5yo, 7f, 1:22.24, ft, 4 1/4 lengths.
SIERRA SILVER (c, 3, Game Winner–Promise Me Silver {GSW, $486,681}, by Silver City) ran third behind 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time) when he was unveiled in Arcadia Apr. 6. The grey served as the runner-up at Santa Anita May 10 before getting slammed at the windows to even-money here. The 3-year-old went to his knees at the break, but was able to recover to run in the third flight up the backstretch. Sierra Silver started to move up behind the pacesetter and around the far turn the colt took control like he was running the point. Confidently handled down the lane, the Bob Baffert trainee leapt from the free throw line to winner's circle. Cheever (Into Mischief) was the runner-up by 4 1/4 lengths. A $325,000 Keeneland November buy for Chester & Mary Bowman, the winner's dam is responsible for 2-year-old colt Cerro Rico (Yaupon) and she foaled a colt by Taiba Apr. 8. Sales History: $190,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-1, $55,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Golden Bear Racing; B-Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman (NY); T-Bob Baffert.

#4 SIERRA SILVER impressive in Race 9 at @santaanitapark. Bob Baffert trains, @JJHernandezS19 up on the son of @LanesEndFarms Game Winner. pic.twitter.com/Rs7qLO7zzv

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 14, 2025

The post Game Winner Colt Sierra Silver Nets Maiden Win At ‘Great Race Place’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Carmouche Fined, Suspended for Riding Crop Violation

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-06-14 15:15
New York Stewards fined jockey Kendrick Carmouche $5,500 and suspended him one riding day for exceeding the limit for use of the riding crop in piloting Deterministic in the Manhattan Stakes (G1T) June 8 at Saratoga Race Course.

Royal Ascot Entrants Headline Goffs London Sale

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-06-14 15:15
High-class talent Ghostwriter looks set to be the star attraction at this year's Goffs London Sale, which takes place in Kensington Palace Gardens the evening of June 16. 

LOPE Aftercare Program Serves 1,000 Students in Texas

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-06-14 15:15
In the first five months of 2025, LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers has served more than 1,000 students and teachers across Texas through the organization's innovative Horse Wise curriculum.

NYRA Officials Confident in '26 Belmont Park Completion

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-06-14 15:15
As major renovations continue at Belmont Park, NYRA officials express steadfast confidence in the project's completion by fall 2026 at June 13 meeting of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board.

Great Friends to Receive Horseracing Partnership Award

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-06-14 15:15
Great Friends Stable has been selected by Thoroughbred Owners of California as the recipient of this year's Horseracing Partnership Award.

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