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Awesome Czech improves to 4-for-5 on the turf at Saratoga in Friday’s Yaddo Stakes. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

By Darby O’Brien

Peter Moore began working with Barry Schwartz of Stonewall Farm 20 years ago Friday, and Awesome Czech’s triumph in the $150,000 Yaddo Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, going 1 1/16-miles on the turf, made the anniversary that much sweeter.

“Today is 20 years since I started with him (Schwartz),” Moore said. “To the day. He reminded me of that the other day. And he said, ‘If that horse wins, you better tell them.’ Yeah. Twenty years to the day.”

Awesome Czech stumbled at the break and settled in fourth along the inside as Spinning Colors surged to the lead. With heavy traffic on the rail, Ricardo Santana Jr. swung the 4-year-old daughter of Mendelssohn four wide into the upper stretch and dug in. With a strong rally in the final sixteenth, Schwartz’s homebred prevailed in the final jumps to score by a half-length over favored Moonage Daydream. Spinning Colors finished third.

Trained by Horacio De Paz, Awesome Czech won in 1:41.41 over the firm turf.

“She likes that track,” said Moore. “Santana loves this filly. He’s really good on her, and for a moment I thought he screwed that one up. Honestly, when he came around I thought he wasn’t going to be able to get out. … This guy (De Paz) is doing a great job. He wanted Santana on this filly for a long time. Between the two of them, and the fact that she likes it up here, we’re thrilled. Thrilled to have that.”

Out of the Awesome Again mare Marvelous Martina – thus the name for tennis legend Martina Navratilova – Awesome Czech won her second stakes and fourth race in five starts at Saratoga.

Awesome Czech won last year’s Suzie O’Cain Stakes in mid-August 14 following a win in allowance company. De Paz had no intention of messing with that formula, as the filly came into the race with a narrow win in a 1-mile allowance in her last start at Saratoga July 4.

Looking ahead, De Paz hopes to see the filly improve when faced with potentially tougher company.

“We’ll see how she comes out of this,” he said. “New York-bred company has good purses. I always thought she was an open-company horse. We tried the Virginia Oaks last year and didn’t get the trip we wanted. Options are open for her.”

Schwartz bred Awesome Czech and she was foaled at his Stonewall Farm in Westchester County. Moore was there every step of the way.

“I was in Keeneland buying mares in foal and we’re both big fans of Mendelssohn,” Moore said. “And at the time, he wasn’t commanding huge money. We only paid 25 or 30 (thousand) for that mare. And we kind of felt it was a steal, even at the time. Obviously, it worked out. The first foal is, as you know, a multiple stakes winner.”

Awesome Czech is the first foal out of Marvelous Martina, a 9-year-old mare who won twice in her career and sold for $25,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Marvelous Martina is also the dam of the 3-year-old Central Banker filly Rare Society, who makes her second career start for Schwartz and trainer Linda Rice in Sunday’s fifth race at Saratoga.

The post Happy Anniversary: Stonewall homebred Awesome Czech wins Yaddo appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Iron Orchard crushes the field to stay perfect in the Seeking the Ante Stakes Friday at Saratoga Race Course. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

By Julia Reedy

When Danny Gargan and Jimmy Gladwell saw Iron Orchard at the OBS April sale, they knew they couldn’t leave without her.

The 2-year-old filly was promptly purchased for $500,000 for owners Edward Childs and Randy Hill of R.A. Hill Stable – and has since rewarded her connections with back-to-back wins, including a 6 3/4-length score over fellow New York-bred Oriole Way in Friday’s $150,000 Seeking the Ante Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

“We liked the fact that she was fast and she was pretty,” Gladwell said of his first impression of the Authentic filly. “We had some dear friends of ours selling her and they were extremely high on her. They gave us even more confidence. And the New York-bred program, we love the program. We love to run up here. We’re just happy today and happy for all the connections.”

Gladwell was introduced to Childs through the late Hall of Fame trainer and mutual friend D. Wayne Lukas.

Lukas called Gladwell a few years prior asking him for a favor: could he help Childs pick out a few horses at the 2-year-old sales? Not one to deny an old friend, Gladwell agreed.

“He (Lukas) was a dear friend, and it’s been a great partnership with Mr. Childs,” Gladwell said. “Our main business is 2-year-olds in training, and our main clients are Dean and Patti Reeves at Reeves Thoroughbred Racing that have a large stable.

“It’s all been a lot of fun, and this has been a great day to see this filly do so well. … We came up and watched her run the first race and watched her run today. She’s grown. She’s filled out. Danny Gargan and his whole team have done an outstanding job with her and have been patient with her. She’s got a bright future ahead of her.”

For Edward Childs and his son, Alex, the journey has been nothing short of rewarding.

“He’s (Edward) been in it a long time and then we all got involved here probably three or four years ago,” Alex said. “We kind of went the Quarter Horse route and broke off from that, got into Thoroughbreds and then some partners and friends of ours jumped in there with us. It’s been a fun deal. It’s got its ups and downs, right? But it’s huge fun.”

As for Iron Orchard’s next start, Gargan said she could run in open company.

“She’s just lightning fast,” Gargan said. “Now, we’ll figure (it) out. We could end up in the Frizette next time (October 4 at Aqueduct). I wanted to get this, and she looks like she shows everything in the mornings like she’ll stretch. I think going a mile, she’ll break and when horses come to her, she gets faster. She does it so easy, so we’ll see who’s all going to show up there, but that’s what we’ll point her towards and hopefully we end up there.”

Bred by Pine Ridge Stable LLC and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Iron Orchard commanded the top price for a New York-bred filly and second most expensive price for a New York-bred overall at the OBS April sale. She originally went through the ring at the 2023 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, bringing $140,000 as a weanling from Castleton Way. A $97,000 RNA at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, Iron Orchard later sold for $78,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale.

She’s the fourth foal out of the Brethren mare Onebrethatatime, a three-time winner who earned $133,283 and is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Wonderlandbynight and Gilded Miracle, the dam of Grade 1 winner Exaulted.

Onebrethatatime’s third foal, the New York-bred Not This Time 3-year-old filly Backcheck, won in her third start in June at Aqueduct and is entered in a $95,000 allowance on Saturday’s Travers Day undercard at Saratoga.

The post Iron Orchard improves to 2-for-2 in Seeking the Ante appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Noor Elaine Farm's Asfoora bounced back to winning ways in the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) Aug. 22 at York Racecourse. The victory secured the 7-year-old an automatic berth into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T).

Sir Mark Prescott's exciting 2-year-old Moon Target is set for her stiffest task yet as she takes on a compelling field of talented 2-year-old fillies in the Prestige Fillies' Stakes (G3) at Goodwood Aug. 24.

The Retired Racehorse Project and Thoroughbred Charities of America announce that the TCA has returned as the title sponsor of the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, the banner event of the RRP.

California-bred champion Chismosa has faced the brilliant Sweet Azteca four times, winning once, and will try again in the Rancho Bernardo Stakes at Del Mar.

Several years ago, Godolphin's Michael Banahan knew Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott had two notable omissions on his long list of major New York Racing Association stakes wins.

The Challenge, sponsored by Gainesway

In a study authored by Hagyard surgeon Dr. Russ Freeland—along with Hagyard Alumni Dr. W. True Baker and Dr. Pieternel Kerber; results indicate yearlings that had the LTR OCD removed performed comparably to unaffected Thoroughbreds.

Canterbury Park announced that, in cooperation with the Minnesota HBPA, the purses for the Blair's Cove Minnesota Turf and the Bella Notte Minnesota Distaff Sprint will be increased to $50,000 and will be conducted as stakes Sept. 6.

California racing representatives acknowledge the importance of maintaining the stature of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and the state's other major races for 3-year-olds.

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.

Stars Come Out To Play On The Undercard

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

Plenty To Play For In Pat O'Brien

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.

Iron Dome romps to victory in Thursday’s Albany Stakes at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo.

By Darby O’Brien

Iron Dome stormed home for his third straight win in Thursday’s $200,000 Albany Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

“With him running two weeks ago, he was well away,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains the Into Mischief colt for L and N Racing and his co-breeder Chester Broman. “I was worried he would be a little flat, as big as he is. When he jumped away from the gate so well. Jose (Ortiz) knows him and has a lot of confidence in him. He let him do his thing.”

Iron Dome hustled out of the gate and settled into a stalking second as Hit the Post took an early 4-length lead. Ortiz angled Iron Dome wide as the field came around the far turn, taking the lead as they came to the five-sixteenths pole and took an undeniable command as they entered the stretch. He kicked clear of rivals with ease, scoring by 6 3/4 lengths over Hit the Post. King’s Leap finished third.

Iron Dome came into the Albany off back-to-back wins at the Saratoga meet. He broke his maiden by 10 1/2 lengths July 16 in a 1 1/8-mile maiden and returned August 7 to romp in an allowance at the same distance by 8 lengths. A $500,000 Keeneland September sale purchase, he proved unsuccessful in his first four starts. But the colt stepped it up July 16 and only continues to improve for his connections.

“Obviously, off of his other-than-win and his two 1 1/8 miles here I wanted to give this a chance. But then this morning with the key scratch (Train The Trainer), it kind of fell in his lap. I’m very proud of the horse,” said Asmussen. “He’s obviously a big, beautiful horse. Very nice (Chester) Broman New York-bred that’s coming into his own. Obviously just very excited about getting him when we did at Keeneland September, and being Mr. Buff’s brother, and always being a fan of his and all the success that he had up here. He’s making the family proud.”

Bred by the Bromans and foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown, Iron Dome is the seventh foal out of the Grade 3-placed Speightstown mare Speightful Affair.

Consigned by Sequel New York, agent for the Bromans, he went through the ring at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale and brought a $500,000 bid from the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based partnership L & N Racing, which includes Lee Levinson, his sons Andy and Michael and family friend Don Nelson. Chester Broman bought back in for 25 percent after the sale.

“It’s hard to say when they born, you think they’re all going to be champions right?” said Gregg Falk, Chestertown’s farm manager. “We had high hopes for him though. The mare has always had good babies. They’ve always been big, good frame like him, good bone on them. Being a half to Mr. Buff, he had some big shoes to fill. It’s hard to say, but this guy might be going in that same direction.”

Bred in Ontario and third in the Grade 3 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct in April of her 3-year-old season, Speightful Affair won two of 12 starts with eight placings and earned $142,182. The Bromans added her to their star-studded broodmare band on an $80,000 bid at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale.

Three of Speightful Affair’s first four foals, including multiple stakes winner and New York-bred champion Mr. Buff, were by the Broman’s stallion Friend Or Foe. Mr. Buff won 17 of 48 starts and earned $1,403,536 in the Bromans’ colors. She’s also the dam of the winning Friend Or Foe New York-bred Cain Is Abel, nine-time winner and $504,413-earner Daddy Knows (by Scat Daddy) along with the stakes-placed duo Quick to Accuse (by Accelerate) and Organic Gemini (by Sir Whimsey).

Iron Dome is Speightful Affair’s last foal.

“She’s been pensioned. She’s living the good life right now,” Falk said. “The last few foals, she had had some complications. It was her time. She’s earned it. She’s got a nice big paddock, in there with Unbridled Star, Stolen Star, some of those other ones that have a lot of stripes on their jackets, too. It’s great they’re together.”

– Additional reporting by Tom Law

The post Three Straight: Iron Dome romps to Albany victory appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

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.

 

Book 'em Danno, Mullikin Renew Rivalry in Forego

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.”

 

Sovereignty Not the Only Horse Mott is Running Saturday

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.

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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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Vehemente scores first stakes victory in Thursday’s Fleet Indian at Saratoga Race Course. Coglianese Photo.

By Julia Reedy

Vehemente lived up to her name in Thursday’s $200,000 Fleet Indian Stakes going 9 furlongs on the dirt at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Joe Sharp, the New York-bred daughter of Vekoma finished 1 ¼ lengths ahead of the Jorge Abreu-trained favorite Kay Cup in 1:51.75.

Owned by International Equine, bred by Hibiscus Stables and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, the 3-year-old out of the winning Stormy Atlantic mare Resoundingly improved her record to 5-for-11 and boosted her bankroll to $320,050.

“It’s been really great,” said Hibiscus Stables’ Jon Taisey of the filly’s progress. “I know Clark Shepherd, who bought the horse, really well. I met him out of coincidence probably a couple months before he bought this filly. We became good friends, met with each other down in Baltimore, had dinner with each other a couple nights, played tag buying each other dinner. He showed up at the sale a couple months later up here at Saratoga, and his team ended up falling in love with her.”

A graduate of the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale, Vehemente was purchased for $40,000 out of the Hibiscus consignment by Shepherd for International Equine – an outcome that both Taisey and Shepherd were content with.

“We were actually really happy, and I remember high-fiving when they only paid $40,000 for her,” Taisey said. “I think they would have been willing to go double on that. I know we were hoping for double on that, but that’s the game you play.”

The Fleet Indian marked the first time Vehemente had run at the 1 1/8-mile distance.

“The distance is honestly super questionable for this one and for Train the Trainer,” Taisey said of the Hibiscus-bred colt who was entered by scratched out of Thursday’s Albany Stakes.  “There is a little bit of distance in both of their breeding, but to go 1 1/8 miles, you really never know. Sort of hope for it, but I don’t think they expected it. I talked to them before the race, they said, ‘If she has a safe race, and we hit the board, we’ll be so happy.’ We could never even imagine being here. Now they won the race, and they obviously have a filly that has a lot of value, breeding value in the future, too. It’ll be fun to watch her retire eventually and breed, and see those babies come along, too.”

Vehemente is the fifth foal out of the $132,586-earner Resoundingly, who is also the dam of winners Lucille, Tapalong and She Takes Cash, and an unraced 2-year-old New York-bred colt by Street Boss who sold for $53,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred sale.

Hibiscus Stables bought Vehemente for $25,000 in foal to Goldencents for $25,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

The post Power Move: Vehemente wins first stakes in Fleet Indian appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

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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Take Charge Tom will look to add the title of graded stakes winner to his resume for owner/breeder Randy Howg when he starts in the CA$200,000 Canadian Derby (G3) Aug. 23, the featured race on the calendar at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino.

Cogburn will stand at Widden Stud alongside their recently minted Australian champion sire Zoustar for an introductory fee of AU$27,500.