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D. J. Stable's Nitrogen showed that her off-the-turf victory in the June 7 Wonder Again Stakes (G3) was no fluke as she defeated the former leaders of the 3-year-old filly division Aug. 16 in the Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

Chiefswood Stables' Simcoe took the lead and never looked back en route to a dominating 5 3/4-length victory in the $122,874 Bold Venture Stakes (G3) Aug. 16 at Woodbine.

The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association announced three groundbreaking programs designed to bolster and invigorate the California breeding industry during a time of uncertainty and significant change for California horse racing.

She Feels Pretty didn't disappoint in the $545,981 E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1T), delivering her fifth career grade 1 victory Aug. 16 at Woodbine.

Nearly one month after scoring a shocking upset over heavily favored Just a Touch in the Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3), Premier Stable's Surface to Air defeated 1-5 First Mission in the $245,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) Aug. 16.

Market favor for the Aug. 17 Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) has fallen on the untapped potential of the Coolmore partners' The Lion In Winter and the intriguing global form of Ascoli Piceno. 

Graded winner Magnitude (Not This Time) prepped for Saturday's GI Travers Stakes with a half-mile breeze over the Oklahoma dirt training track Sunday morning.

Clocked in :50.22 (31/49) while working through a blanket of fog, the Steve Asmussen charge has been training up to the feature race this weekend after producing a 9 1/4-length masterclass last out July 5 in the Listed Iowa Derby. The son of Not This Time missed the Triple Crown series with an ankle chip, but has been moving forwardly since his return to the races last month.

“He worked good,” said Scott Blasi, assistant trainer to Asmussen on-site for the work. “They [the instructions] were just to go a half-mile. We feel like he's really fit. We were just letting him stretch his legs over the track and he's doing well.”

The Asmussen and Winchell Thoroughbreds combination is no stranger to winning the Travers as they last took home the spoils in 2022 with MGISW Epicenter, coincidentally also by Not This Time.

The post Magnitude Breezes Over Oklahoma Track for Saturday’s Travers Tilt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

1st-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-17, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8mT, 1:48.60, fm, 7 3/4 lengths.
READY FOR CANDY (f, 3, Twirling Candy–Enoree {SP}, by More Than Ready), who began her career as a juvenile in the care of trainer Michael DePaulo, was the runner-up last summer in the Catch A Glimpse Stakes at Woodbine. The filly's campaign ended in November when she was third in the GIII Mazarine Stakes and finished second in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes–both in Toronto.

Making the switch to Philip Antonacci's shedrow, the dark bay made her seasonal bow as the even-money favorite here. The chalk was keen from the bell and established her lead heading into the first turn. Controlling the pace throughout, Ready for Candy hit the accelerator down the lane and won convincingly to break her maiden by 7 3/4 lengths over Inesperee (Flintshire {GB}). The winner's dam is responsible for several runners currently in-training, including 5-year-old gelding Tiburon (Good Magic), 4-year-old filly Bolt Enoree (Bolt d'Oro) and 2-year-old colt Mister Blue (Maclean's Music).

Enoree was bred to Essential Quality for next term. Out of an extended female family which includes Canadian champion 3-year-old colt Woodcarver (Woodman), Ready for Candy's second dam is Canadian MSW Woodsmoke (Langfuhr) who produced GSW Grand Bili (City Zip). Sales History: $70,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $62,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $60,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR; $400,000 3yo '25 FTKFEB. Lifetime Record: GSP-Can, 8-1-3-2, $162,171. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Lindy Farms; B-Mark Dodson (ON); T-Philip Antonacci.

The post Twirling Candy’s Ready For Candy Sweet Off The Bench In The Spa Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Trainer Keri Brion is often well-represented in top-level steeplechase races at Saratoga Race Course, and the Aug. 20 Jonathan Sheppard Handicap (NSA-1) is no exception. Brion runs Jimmy P and The Insider in the 2 3/8-mile hurdle test.

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced Aug. 16 that the inaugural D. Wayne Lukas Award will be presented to Christophe Lorieul, who assisted Christophe Clement and now Miguel Clement.

After leaving the track in an ambulance Aug. 15, Luis Rivera Jr. was back at Saratoga Race Course before the sun rose Aug. 16 to ride 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in her final breeze for the Aug. 23 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1).

The New York Racing Association announced Aug. 16 the stakes schedule for the 32-day 2025 Belmont at the Big A  fall meet and the traditional 27-day fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Ritzaphena, the first winner for Lexitonian, is now the his initial stakes winner. Following up a debut maiden victory July 13 on grass, the 2-year-old filly improved to 2-for-2 in capturing the six-furlong Prairie Meadows Debutante Stakes Aug. 15.

After earning their first victory with their first starter one month ago, Jayson Werth's Icon Racing is eyeing a big weekend at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 16-17.

After finishing second on debut, Freely Held dominated in his next outing Aug. 15 at Delaware Park, becoming the first winner for WinStar Farm's first-crop sire Independence Hall.

Notorious Gangster enters the CA$1 million King's Plate Stakes at Woodbine Aug. 16 as one of the most accomplished entrants, and his trainer, Josie Carroll, has the King's Plate qualifications to match.

After a record-breaking yearling sale at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale, consignors are hopeful that momentum will carry across the Atlantic at the upcoming Arqana August Yearling Sale.

The right-hand man to Christophe Clement for nearly three decades, assistant trainer Christophe Lorieul will be presented with the inaugural D. Wayne Lukas award, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) announced Saturday.

Created this year and to be given annually, the D. Wayne Lukas Award is presented to a New York-based assistant trainer who demonstrates qualities that the late Hall of Famer himself exemplified–dedication, a strong work ethic, and a high commitment to excellence. In addition to a trophy, the winner will receive a $10,000 award. The presentation will be held Monday, Sept. 1 on the closing day of the Saratoga meet.

Lorieul, a native of Normandy, France, has been part of the Clement organization since 1994, and is now assistant trainer to Miguel Clement.

“I worked with Christophe over half, maybe two-thirds of my life,” Lorieul reflected. “Everything that I know is because of him; I wasn't even 20 when I started working for him. I could come to him about anything and learned many life lessons. I learned a lot and had many opportunities to travel, to Japan, Dubai, Hong Kong. He always said, 'be patient with the horses. Take care of them, and they will take care of you.'

“It has been a rough year for us and we are just trying to continue his legacy. We are lucky enough to have good horses in our stalls. Miguel is doing a great job and I'm just trying to assist him the best I can, the same as I did with Christophe. Miguel had mentioned to me that I would be nominated, and I'm very thankful.”

Miguel, who credits Lorieul with teaching him to understand the Daily Racing Form as a child, is now at the helm of Clement Racing. Lorieul supervises the Belmont string, as is his custom.

“He is the backbone of our stable,” said Miguel Clement. “He is amazingly reliable, talented, and devoted to his profession. We are all very lucky to have him, especially when it was so tough, and he really stepped up when we needed him the most.”

The post Clement Racing’s Christophe Lorieul Honored with Inaugural D. Wayne Lukas Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

6th-Gulfstream, $40,000, Msw, 8-15, 2yo, f, 5f, :59.51, ft, 9 3/4 lengths.
EPIGRAM (f, 2, Code of Honor–Rockin, by Hard Spun) ran her rivals off their feet to become her late freshman sire's third winner at 7-2 odds. Breaking in at the start but recovering well to lead the pack, they were never given a second opinion as she put up an opening quarter in :22.95 and was on a clear advantage entering the stretch. From there it was how much she wanted to win by and the answer was 9 3/4 lengths over Authentic Wave (Authentic).

The victress is the most recent to the races for Rockin, who now has four offspring to get a picture taken from as many to the track. The mare claims a 2025 filly by Zandon and went to Charge It for 2026. Sales history: $7,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $38,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $24,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-JC Racing Stable (Jose Castro); B-Mercedes Stables LLC (KY); T-Jose M. Castro.

The post Code of Honor’s Epigram Strong on Unveiling at Gulfstream Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association announced Aug. 15 the new Maryland Broodmare Incentive Program for 2026. The program will offer a total of $50,000 for 2026 incentives to buyers/owners of broodmares that are new to Maryland.