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First-season stallion Cogburn will return to Kentucky early after experiencing fertility issues at Widden Stud in Australia. The stallion will be examined and treated, if necessary, as he prepares for his second season at stud at WinStar Farm.

The prominent Central California farm has nearly completed the redistribution of its nine stallions following the death of farm owner John Harris in the summer. The only stallion on the farm is 21-year-old Desert Code, who may be pensioned.

Ante-post Epsom Derby (G1) favorite Benvenuto Cellini heads Aidan O'Brien's team for Britain's final group 1 race of the year, the Futurity Trophy (G1) Oct. 25 at Doncaster.

The Breeders' Cup arrived on the scene too late for the great American geldings Kelso and Forego. But at the upcoming 42nd edition of the World Championships, a brilliant European gelding will attempt to join some highly exclusive company.

It has been an atypically slow Keeneland fall meeting for the powerful barn of Chad Brown, who had been represented by a single winner from his first 17 starters in a maiden claimer on Oct. 23. But a win from Juddmonte's Salamis (Speightstown) in Saturday's $600,000 GIII Bryan Station Stakes would go a long ways in turning Brown's frown upside down–at least to a certain degree.

A son of Juddmonte's GI Just A Game Stakes heroine Antonoe (First Defence) and therefore the half-brother to GSW & MGISP Segesta (Ghostzapper), Salamis has been progressive in his four starts on the grass, winning his maiden two back at Saratoga over this one-mile distance before taking out the Listed Gio Ponti Stakes at Aqueduct on Sept. 28. He overcame gate seven of seven that afternoon and Flavien Prat will need to work out a trip from barrier 12 on Saturday to emerge victorious.

Of the horses in the main body, a remarkable seven are by Not This Time, including the 'other' Juddmonte, the Grade III-winning Final Gambit. With a high-watermark score in the GIII Jeff Ruby Stakes last March, he earned a trip to the GI Kentucky Derby and ran with credit from well back to be fourth. A horse that wants a truly run race, he's been pace-disadvantaged in his three runs on the grass, including a fifth in the GIII Nashville Derby. The gray will be suited down in trip, with a better chance of a sound tempo ahead of him.

Giocoso (Not This Time) benefited from a golden inside passage to win the one-mile GII Secretariat Stakes at Colonial in August, beating home Claiborne Farm's Simulate (Kitten's Joy), who endured a far inferior journey, and it would be no shock to see those placings reversed here. The latter was a non-factor seventh in the Nashville Derby and will also relish this cut-back.

Troubleshooting (Not This Time) has only finished outside the top two on one occasion in six tries on the grass and he stretches out in distance after besting Golden Afternoon (Goldencents) by a half-length in the 6 1/2-furlong GI Franklin-Stamps Stakes at Kentucky Downs Sept. 6.

Tenacious Leader (Not This Time) was just beaten in last year's GIII With Anticipation Stakes and most recently made a successful return from a one-year absence with a first-level allowance score here on Oct. 4. A forward move can be expected second off the bench.

Plensa (Caravaggio) was third to Simulate in a Saratoga allowance race July 18 before causing a 22-1 upset over Giocoso in the $1.9-million Listed Gun Runner Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6.

Bracket Buster, Gosger Square Off In Fayette

While divisional heavies Sovereignty (Into Mischief), Journalism (Curlin) and Baeza (McKinzie) are set to give next weekend's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic a shake, a pair of understudies from this year's sophomore class will line up in a high-class renewal of the GII Fayette Stakes at Keeneland.

BBN Racing's Bracket Buster (Vekoma) romped in this year's Listed Pegasus Stakes ahead of a fourth to Journalism in the GI Haskell Stakes. But instead of aiming for less-ambitious targets, the colt pressed on to the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes, and yes, he was beaten a block by Sovereignty, but earned a 102 Beyer not to mention a quarter-million dollar payday for his connections. His convincing victory in the GIII Oklahoma Derby last time netted him a slightly smaller check, but a fat one all the same, and the $125,000 Keeneland September grad goes for three on the trot here.

Bracket Buster | Taylor Ejdys/Equi-Photo

Gosger (Nyquist) was two lengths clear of Bracket Buster in this track's GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes in April, and he nearly pulled the upset in the GI Preakness Stakes but fell victim to that incredible finish from Journalism. A half-length behind that rival in the Haskell, the homebred never got involved from a high draw in the Sept. 20 GI Pennsylvania Derby, finishing a distant sixth and an effort best taken with a grain of salt.

A win in a race as prestigious as the G1 Dubai World Cup would generally result in a visit to the Breeders' Cup, but Gary and Mary West's Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) is here instead. Two-back winner of the West Virgina Governor's Stakes, the gray exits a fourth to Mystik Dan (Goldencents) in the GII Lukas Classic Stakes across the way at Churchill Sept.27.

Compact Group For Twilight Derby

The connections of just five horses accepted for Saturday's GII Twilight Derby at Santa Anita, a race that surprisingly produced a future Breeders' Cup winner in the form of Johar (Gone West), who took this event in 2002 before famously dead-heating with High Chaparral (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) as part of the historic Mandella four-timer in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf the following year.

It has been 11 years since Long On Value raided from the East Coast to win this, and Amerman Racing homebred Test Score (Lookin At Lucky) will try to put pay to that streak on his second trip to the Golden State. A neck second in last year's Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at Del Mar, the homebred struck from close range in the GI Belmont Derby in July, finished a close third in the GI Saratoga Derby Aug. 2 and was a latest even fourth to Turf aspirant Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the GIII Nashville Derby Aug. 30. Trainer Graham Motion has secured the services of Juan Hernandez.

Hronis Racing's Namaron (Ger) (Amaron {GB}) looms the fly in the ointment after winning three of five starts in Germany for trainer Henk Grewe, including a Group 3 in Krefeld in April. He made a favorable impression for his new connections in the aforementioned Gun Runner Stakes, coming from the latter half of the field to be third to Bryan Station runners Plensa and Giocoso.

The post Brown Can End Rough Meet On High Note In Bryan Station appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

2nd-Belmont The Big A, $80,000, (S), Msw, 10-24, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 1:16.77, ft, 2 1/4 lengths.
PANTHERIAN (c, 2, Vekoma–Big Thrill, by Big Drama) and Wamo (Yaupon) went at each other for most of this New York-bred maiden, and the Stewards ultimately had to step in to reverse the running order.

After a shoe repair in the paddock, Wamo brushed with the off side stall at the jump but recovered well enough to place himself right in the middle of a duel for the lead. Pantherian traveled from four off the rail and to the outside of his challengers, but had locked horns with Wamo for the homeward drive as they spun into the lane.

The pair exchanged the first of several brushes passing the three-sixteenths marker, and Pantherian lost the advantage at the final sixteenth, but was mounting another try when Wamo herded him out three paths under left-hand urging. They once again brushed off each other, and came in heads apart under the wire with Wamo officially crossing the line first. There was an immediate Stewards' inquiry into the stretch run, and after a review, the running order was reversed. Disqualified for interference, Wamo was placed second behind Pantherian prior to the result being declared official.

The victor is the fourth winner from five to the races and the most recent of age for Big Thrill. The mare has a 2025 colt by Golden Pal and was bred to Cogburn for 2026. Sales history: $145,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $750,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $44,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-WinStar Farm, LLC, First Go Racing and CHC, Inc.; B-Annemarie Toomey (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.

The post Vekoma’s Pantherian Elevated to First-Out Win at Belmont Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Bidding is now open for the 2025 Inglis Digital USA October (Late) sale, which features 73 offerings and is led by a consignment of 11 broodmares from Paramount Sales, and will have the first lot close on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. ET with subsequent listings hammering down in three-minute increments thereafter, the digital outfit said in a press release on Friday.

The auction offers horses available for inspection in 11 different states.

The Paramount Sales consignment includes Ayaady (hip 39), a Tapit mare whose first foal is the promising Massarat (Curlin), who has earned over $204,000 on the racetrack. She is offered in foal to Gunite.

Also on offer is Munasara (hip 51) in foal to Street Sense believed to be carrying a filly. She is out of champion race mare Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and a half sister do the dam of MG1SW winner Baeed (GB). Munasara is also primed for another update being a half-sister to the dam of the undefeated Ganaas (War Front) who goes to post in Saturday's GIII Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Other broodmares from the Paramount slate are pregnant to sires including City of Light, Constitution, Maxfield, Oscar Performance, and Yaupon.

“Paramount is very proud of our offering in this sale,” said Paramount's Paddy Campion. “The quality, timing, and infrequency with which some of these families come on the market amount to what we believe poses a wonderful opportunity for breeding outfits both domestically and internationally.”

Among the other broodmares of interest in the catalogue is Someday is Today (hip 26), a multiple stakes winning mare by Carpe Diem who is in foal in her first pregnancy to Gunite. Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services consigns her as agent, and she is available for inspection at Chanteclair Farm in Versailles, Ky.

Other pregnant broodmares in the catalogue are offered in foal to Capo Kane, Engage, Heartland, Leinster, Modernist, Pinehurst and Solomini.

Also included in the catalogue are:

• Red Seven (hip 30), a 3-year-old Mitole filly, who is a half-sister to the dam of GISW Corsia Veloce (Practical Joke). Taylor Made Sales Agency consigns the broodmare prospect as agent, and she can be viewed at Taylor Made in Nicholasville, Kentucky;
• She's Fire (hip 32) is a Flameaway filly with black type in her past performances. Gail Rice consigns the 4-year-old who will be available for inspection at Grand Oaks Training Center;
• Kissedbyanangel (hip 49), is offered by owner/trainer Joanne Shankle. The Maryland-bred daughter of Golden Lad won the Maryland Juvenile Fillies Stakes at 2 and placed in multiple stakes at 3. Kissedbyanangel is being offered as a broodmare prospect and is located at Laurel Park.

Stallions with yearlings represented include Blame, Greatest Honour, Heart to Heart, Improbable, Lone Sailor, Practical Joke, Temple City and Yaupon.

“The team and our sellers really came through this month,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Kyle Wilson. “We have tons of quality to offer from top to bottom.”

To schedule an inspection of the Paramount offerings, contact Paddy Campion at (859) 612-2222.

Interested parties must register for an account on the Inglis Digital USA website and request a bidding limit in order to place bids.

Click here to view the catalogue and register to bid.

The post Paramount Sales Consignment Headlines Inglis Digital USA October Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) is once again rolling out its Annual Holiday Shopping Day on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Anna House located in Belmont Park, the organization said in a press release on Friday.

Each year, more than 500 children from New York's Thoroughbred backstretch community experience a day filled with wonder and joy as they “shop” for gifts for their loved ones. Every item is brand new and no money is exchanged. The event is entirely free for families, which is made possible through donors, sponsors and volunteers.

Among the BCCA volunteers this year is Jazmin, the 2025 Volunteer of the Year, who is an eighth grader and proud graduate of the programs at Anna House.

You can help by clicking here to donate through the BCCA website or here for the Amazon wish list.

The post BCCA Out To Brighten Season For Children Of Backstretch Workers And Families appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Future WinStar stallion Mullikin (Violence) put in his final local prep Friday ahead of next weekend's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Working solo at Keeneland, he breezed immediately following the first track harrowing at 7:30 a.m. and clocked four furlongs in :48.40 (6/65).

“We were not looking for anything too fancy,” trainer Rodolphe Brisset said. “We did all the bottom work the last three weeks. He showed good energy and the rider was very happy with him. We got what we need.”

It was his final work in Kentucky as Brisset noted that the 5-year-old, who also has a 25% ownership interest on offer at the Keeneland Championship Sale Oct. 29, will board a flight to California on Monday.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux also sent out her three horses pre-entered in Nov. 1 races of the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar for four-furlong works Friday morning. All three horses worked in company.

John Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Service's Rebel Red (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (Breeders' Cup Turf) and the 3-year-old maiden Altiplano (Candy Ride {Arg}) went in :49 (31/65).

“He's a horse that's not going to really have a flashy work for a half-mile on the dirt,” DeVaux said. “It's more about how he does it and the gallop out, which was quite impressive. Steady, but full in the bridle. He's a horse with a lot of tenacity and he's just a really cool horse to train. Nothing rattles him. He lost an eye in the beginning of Saratoga two summers ago and then came back at the end of the meet, ran with one eye, then came back to win here at Keeneland. He's really neat. Whatever you throw at him and things don't go his way, he picks himself up and comes right back.”

Lael Stables' She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) (Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf) was timed in :48.40 (6/65) in company with 5-year-old Taking Candy (Twirling Candy).

“They started off quite slow–25 and 4, first quarter–and came home full of run,” DeVaux said. “Same good energy as she showed last week with a really nice gallop out. She's just such a treat to train, really special. Fillies like her don't come around too often so we just enjoy this all while we can.”

With Axel Concepcion aboard, Vahva (Gun Runner) (PNC Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint) went a half-mile in :48.40 (6/65) in company with 2-year-old winner Atropa (Into Mischief).

“Worked really well,” DeVaux said. “Right now, we're just doing all our maintenance work. She looked great. She had a really nice gallop out. Ton of horse, so I'm happy with how she put in her last work.”

The 5-year-old mare is cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect in Book 1 of Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Brant (Gun Runner), pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, drilled six furlongs in 1:12.60 (1/1).

Hope Road (Quality Road) and Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke) are both pre-entered in the Filly & Mare Sprint. Hope Road sizzled five furlongs in :57.80 (1/27) while Richi went the same distance in :58.20 (3/27).

Imagination (Into Mischief), pre-entered in the Sprint, also worked five furlongs in :57.80 (1/27).

Trainer John Sadler worked Hey Nay Nay (No Nay Never) (Juvenile Turf) and Super Corredora (Gun Runner) (Juvenile Fillies). Hey Nay Nay went five furlongs in 1:00.40 (6/27). Super Corredora was clocked going four furlongs in :47.0 (2/40).

GI American Pharoah winner Intrepido (Maximus Mischief), pre-entered in the Juvenile, worked five furlongs in 1:04 (27/27) for trainer Jeff Mullins.

Incanto (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who is on the also-eligible list for the Turf Sprint, worked four furlongs in :48.60 (18/40) for trainer Peter Eurton.

Brave Deb (Authentic), pre-entered in the Juvenile Fillies Turf for trainer Richard Mandella, worked six furlongs in 1:14.60 (1/1).

Caro Buono (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), who is on the also-eligible list for the Juvenile Turf, worked four furlongs on the training track in :47.60 (2/8) for Leonard Powell.

Third Beer (Mendelssohn), who is also on the also-eligible for the Juvenile Turf, worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 (18/27) for Tim Yakteen.

The post Mullikin Leads Breeders’ Cup Workers At Keeneland; Baffert Group Works In CA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Hip 1593, a colt by Practical Joke bred by Lambholm South, brought highest price for a New York-bred at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale. Photo courtesy of Hunter Valley Farm.

The most expensive New York-bred and second leading New York-bred colt were sold during Thursday’s final session of the record-setting Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale in Lexington.

Ten New York-breds sold for $100,000 or more – significantly higher than the overall average – during the sale, including four on the final day.

Hip 1593, a daughter of Practical Joke and one of the last offerings through the ring, led the way on a bid of $225,000 from Mike Ryan, agent. Bred by Lambholm South and foaled at Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, the filly is the first foal out of the winning Kitten’s Joy mare Joyous Times. Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, the filly originally sold to Rexy Bloodstock for $155,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale.

Out of the stakes-winning English Channel mare La Malaguena, Joyous Times went 2-4-1 in 11 starts and earned $86,630.

Lambholm, agent, purchased the mare for $20,000 at the 2023 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. She’s also the dam of a weanling Cyberknife bred by Lambholm South.

Hip 1293, a colt by Vekoma, ended the session as the top-priced New York-bred colt and wound up second overall. Arroyo Bloodstock, agent, purchased the colt out of the winning Discreet Cat mare Discreet Lady out of the Fort Christopher’s Thoroughbreds consignment.

Hip 1293, a filly by Vekoma bred by Christopher Shelli, sold for $180,000 Thursday at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky. Photo courtesy of Fort Christopher’s Thoroughbreds.

Bred by Christopher Shelli and foaled at his Fort Christopher’s Thoroughbreds in Fort Edward, the colt is the ninth foal out of Discreet Lady and a half brother to five winners led by the New York-bred Alpha geldings Taco Bean ($147,199) and Alphalfa ($121,848). Discreet Lady is also the dam of a weanling filly by Drain the Clock, also bred by Shelli, foaled April 4 in New York.

The sale of those two yearlings helped spark another strong session for New York-breds. Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 23 of the 29 through the ring for $1,056,500, an average price of $45,935 and median of $20,000.

Overall, Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 105 of the 132 New York-breds through the ring over the four days for a total of $4,124,500, an average price of $39,281 and median of $22,000.

The sale established records for total receipts of $71,843,500, average price of $65,491 and median of $30,000.

“The sale was a tremendous success,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “Great crowd, great participation, great interest and great activity on the sales grounds from Saturday through the end of the sale tonight. We’re thrilled with the results.

“If you chart the growth of this sale over the last 10 to 15 years, it’s certainly solidified its place on the calendar as an important sale for both buyers and sellers. It’s very rewarding and very encouraging for breeders to be able to come to this sale and have outstanding results.”

The sale’s most expensive yearling by a New York-based stallion, Hip 666, a daughter of Mind Control, sold for $60,000 during the second session Tuesday. Legion Bloodstock, agent for JCE Racing, purchased the filly out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Paris Sunset. Bred by Constance Wickes, Amy Rabanal DVM and Collin Norton and foaled at Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag, the filly was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.

Multiple Grade 1 winner Mind Control, a 9-year-old son of Stay Thirsty out of the Lightnin N Thunder mare Feel That Fire, stands for $8,000 at Rockridge Stud in Hudson.

 

The post Top New York-bred sold during Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale finale appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Edited Press Release

Cogburn (Not This Time–In a Jif, by Saintly Look) has had a successful start to his stud career, achieving excellent fertility results during his first season at WinStar Farm. The enthusiasm and demand for him internationally was also outstanding, however, while in Australia, fertility results were lower than his domestic performance and the decision was made to cut short Cogburn's visit to Australia.

Cogburn had a busy book in Kentucky, getting 143 mares in foal, however his early results in Australia indicated a decline that warrants further investigation. While he has covered well and no abnormalities have been found, WinStar and the Cogburn Syndicate were eager to see him return to Kentucky so they can better understand the cause and treat him accordingly in preparation for his second season at stud in Kentucky.

Antony Thompson of Widden Stud said, “We are all terribly disappointed not to have been able to fulfill the obligations to the breeders who had supported Cogburn with a full book, but it's important we do what is in the best interests of Cogburn and the syndicate and resolve this temporary issue.”

WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden said, “We want to get Cogburn home to do more testing to prepare him for his second season at stud. I want to thank Antony and his team for the care of Cogburn during his time in Australia. The test results of his semen have been very good, but we need to dig a little deeper to understand what is going on. He is an important horse for our future, and we want to get him ready for 2026.”

Cogburn stood his first season at WinStar for $30,000 and is scheduled to stand his second season in 2026 for $25,000.

The post Fertility Decline Cuts Cogburn’s Australian Covering Season Short, Returns to WinStar Early to Prepare for 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Uptown Rythem (Speightstown–Listen to My Song, by Unbridled's Song), who previously stood at Harris Farms, has been relocated to stand at Rancho San Miguel in Central California for the 2026 breeding season. He will stand for $1,500, live foal guarantee.

From extremely modest crops, Uptown Rythem's Average Earnings Index of 1.19 is among the best in California. His unraced dam is a half-sister to the dam of 2017 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes winner La Coronel (Colonel John) from the extended family of 2025 GI Blue Grass Stakes winner Burnham Square (Liam's Map).

“As a fast, good-looking son of Speightstown, Uptown Rythem offers value for savvy mare owners who are aiming to compete in California's lucrative sprint program,” said Tom Clark, owner of Rancho San Miguel. “We believe his brightest days as a sire are ahead.”

The property of C Punch Ranch Inc., Uptown Rythem is available for inspection at Rancho San Miguel.

The post California’s Uptown Rythem to Rancho San Miguel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Brook Smith doesn't own many horses, but when he gets involved with one, things always seem to go right. The latest example is Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), the winner of last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic and a top contender for this year's $7-million race. Along with the same ownership group that is dominated by Coolmore, Smith also owns a piece of the fast 2-year-old Schwarzenegger (Not This Time), who is pre-entered for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

To talk about such things as his Breeders' Cup horses, his charitable endeavors and the reason why he has paid for three billboards, one in Dublin, Ireland, touting Sierra Leone, Smith joined the team for this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

There's little doubt that Sierra Leone–a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'–is flying under the radar this year, overshadowed by stars like Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and Fierceness (City of Light). Asked to make an early line for the Classic, the podcast's Randy Moss made Sierra Leone 5-1.

“He's always been that horse where he gets respect and then he kind of loses it,” Smith said. “He has trouble keeping it. He's had some odd races, like the last race (the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup), the last prep that he was in before the Classic. And it's hard to say that he's under the radar, but let's just rephrase that and say that Sovereignty is the radar. How's that?”

The Sierra Leone camp has been criticized by Mike Repole for entering a rabbit, Contrary Thinking (Curlin), in the Classic in the hopes that he can set a fast pace that will help Sierra Leone. Smith doesn't see what's wrong with that.

“You guys caught me at a good time because I just went to the ear doctor because I had to clean out all of the yapping that seems to be out there,” Smith joked. “Whatever happened to let these horses do their thing, right? I don't have social media and I'm not faulting anybody. I think at the end of the day, everybody has fun with it. So, you know, that's all good. The thing is that rabbits are allowed. It's part of racing.

“It kind of comes down to the trainer. And if the trainer feels like he wants a rabbit in the race, this ownership group is going to be supportive because Chad (Brown) has done a great job with the horse to this point. It's a big race. It's a different race. I mean, the rabbit could get eliminated with the post position draw. It's clear. Sierra Leone needs pace.”

The affable Smith turned the tables on the panel and started asking them questions. He asked Moss to make a case for Sierra Leone winning the Classic.

“If I have to make the case for Sierra Leone winning the Classic, it would be this,” Moss said. “There is a very short stretch run at Del Mar. Much, much shorter, almost a football field shorter almost than Sovereignty got at Churchill Downs or at Saratoga in the Belmont Stakes or the Jim Dandy and the Travers. He's a horse that does his best running down the lane. So that will be a disadvantage but it's not one that he can't overcome. Not that he's not good enough to overcome it, but that will be a disadvantage for Sovereignty. And if there will be enough pace to keep Fierceness from getting out there and setting a nice, comfortable, easy lead, which is why Contrary Thinking was entered in the first place, that will help. Then I think that puts Sierra Leone right in the hunt. Now he's also got to deal with a short stretch, but he did last year effectively, obviously at Del Mar, and overcame it.”

Out of his own pocket, Smith has paid for billboards that say “Go Sierra! Breeders' Cup World Championships. NBC on Saturday Nov. 1.” There are three billboards, one in Louisville, one in Lexington and one in Ireland.

“I am unlike the boy that steps on top of the mountain and cries wolf,” he said. “I'm the guy that jumps on the top of the mountain and says 'Sierra Leone, let's go.'  My partners in Ireland, I hope they don't cuss me for putting the billboard up there in Dublin. I don't think they will. It's in respect and good fun. I don't have social media, so I have to use billboards.”

As is his custom, Smith will donate a portion of his Breeders' Cup earnings to the Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs.

“The backside continues to benefit from Sierra Leone as a part of that Purses for a Purpose program,” Smith said. “I'll do anything I can do to help an industry that I'm passionate about that gives me a lot. It's great to give back. I was very honored to be invited to join the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Board, TOBA, and I quickly jumped on the chance to get on the charitable philanthropic committee, because that organization does incredible stuff across all kinds of different horse-related non-profits.”

The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Sumter (War Front), who got a 99 Beyer for his win in the Lure Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita. 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 and West Point  Thoroughbreds, the team of Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman went through the pre-entered fields for the Breeders' Cup. They'll save their picks for next week. This week was about an overview of all of the races.

Click here for the audio version of the podcast and here for the video version.

The post Brook Smith Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Shisospicy will attempt to become the first 3-year-old filly to win the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 1.

Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner Henri Matisse has retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore for 2026.

Keeneland has supplemented fall meet winners Divine Justice and Elston Gunnn along with four other horses to the November Horses of Racing Age Sale to be held Nov. 12, the day after the conclusion of the November Breeding Stock Sale.

Innovative, Lee's Baby Girl, and Warming—the top three finishers from last month's John C. Harris Stakes (G3T)—tussle over the Santa Anita Park turf once more in the $100,000 Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T) Oct. 26.

Trainer Graham Motion, who trained 2022 Twilight Derby second Speaking Scout, sends grade 1 winner Test Score to Santa Anita for the turf stakes for 3-year-olds.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site at Del Mar for Breeders' Cup Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

As the countdown to the 42nd Breeders' Cup World Championships on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 from Del Mar begins, FanDuel TV will have comprehensive coverage of the event with over 50 hours of unique programming.