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It was a great day for the Russells at Laurel Park Feb. 21 as trainer Brittany and jockey Sheldon swept the 3-year-old stakes with Taj Mahal and Peach Tie.

Intrepido and Secured Freedom both worked Feb. 21 for the first time since the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park. They were among several high-profile 3-year-olds on the Santa Anita work tab.

She may have been "underrated" throughout her brief career, but trainer Clinton McDonald believes a star has been born after Streisand scored a dominant victory in the Feb. 21 Blue Diamond Stakes (G1) at Caulfield Racecourse.

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced Feb. 21 that founder Dot Morgan will step down from her role as executive director. Longtime leader Anna Ford will transition into the executive director role.

Ebony Flyer, a triple grade 1 winner from 6 to 8 furlongs in South Africa racing for Team Valor International and Mrs. Gaynor Rupert, was euthanized Feb. 21 at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket, England.

The Cincinnati Trophy Stakes awards the top five finishers qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale toward a spot in the starting gate in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 1 at Churchill Downs.

Several notable sophomores were out on track Saturday morning at Santa Anita Park, including Grade I winner Intrepido (Maximus Mischief) and fellow GIII Robert B. Lewis alumnus Secured Freedom (Practical Joke)–both of whom put in their first moves since the aforementioned race.

The former finished closest to GISP Plutarch (Into Mischief) in the Lewis, that one claimed top prize by three-quarters of a length, and took a spin over the main track for trainer Jeff Mullins in an easy four-panel move. Clocked in :48.80 with jockey Hector Berrios in the irons, it was the 44th fastest of 79 at the distance.

“He didn't do much. We didn't want much,” Mullins said afterwards, adding that he had not decided whether Intrepido would return Mar. 7 in the GII San Felipe Stakes or if they'd opt to wait until April for the GI Santa Anita Derby.

Secured Freedom, third in the Lewis, also worked four furlongs on the main track for trainer Tim Yakteen. He was clocked in :48 flat (17/79). With the San Felipe also a possibility for him, his conditioner reports that they'd have a clear picture of their path in the coming days.

“We are considering the San Felipe. He is on schedule,” Yakteen said. “We will make a final decision next week.”

The Bob Baffert barn was also active as Brant (Gun Runner), Boyd (Violence), Litmus Test (Nyquist), and Buetane (Tiz the Law) were all out for the Hall of Famer Saturday morning.

Fellow 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard' Brant and Boyd worked six furlongs from the gate with the former timed in 1:11.80 (1/6) and the latter 1:12 flat (2/6). Litmus Test posted a four-furlong move in :47.80 (7/79) in advance of his anticipated seasonal bow in the San Felipe. 'Rising Star' Buetane returned to the tab for the first time since his third-place effort in the GIII Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, also working a half-mile in :47.80.

The fillies from the Baffert barn went through their paces as well Saturday, with Splendora (Audible), Explora (Blame), and Usha (Tiz the Law) all making appearances. The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine was returning to the tab for the first time since winning the GII D. Wayne Lukas Stakes–she cleared five furlongs in 1:01.20 (25/43). Explora drilled five furlongs as well in :59 flat, the bullet of 43 works, and Usha recorded 1:00.20 (8/43) for the same distance.

GSW Cash Call (McKinzie), unraced since finishing fifth in the GI Test Stakes last year, also worked six panels while Group 1 winner Ooly (Arg) (Dabster) began her work from the gate and both were clocked in 1:12.60 (3/6) for Baffert.

The post Santa Anita Updates: Intrepido, Secured Freedom Put in First Return Works appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Trainer Paolo Lobo sent out Farda Amiga (Broad Brush) to a 20-1 upset of Take Charge Lady (Dehere) in the 2002 GI Kentucky Oaks and he could be back in Louisville on the first of May after Resplendence (Justify) took a full field wire-to-wire in the Cincinnati Trophy at Turfway Park. The victory was good for 20 points on the Road to the Oaks.

Off the board in a pair of turf routes on the Kentucky circuit to begin her career, Resplendence missed by a nose two-turning over the main track at Horseshoe Indianapolis Nov. 6 and most recently graduated by a half-dozen lengths routing over this surface Jan. 15.

The sixth choice in a field of 11, Resplendence bounced well from the one hole and was allowed a soft time of it up front through fractions of :25 flat and :50.82 to the half. That left her with plenty in the tank and when asked to kick in the stretch, she did so en route to a comfortable victory as Lovely Grey (Vekoma) closed from midpack for second.

“She just keeps improving,” said Lobo. “I thought she was my best filly over the summer, but after her first couple of races I knew I had to back off on her. Once we got her over the all-weather, she really made an improvement.”

Heavily favored Dame Laura (Munnings) was put in tight quarters early on and suffered an injury seven furlongs from home and was subsequently vanned off.

A daughter of Canadian Horse of the Year Sealy Hill and a half-sister to Sovereign Award winner Hillaby (Distorted Humor), GISW Cambier Parc (Medaglia d'Oro) and Grade III winners Belle Hill (Sky Mesa) and Gale Force (Giant's Causeway), Paradise Alley was purchased by Bonne Chance for $140,000 in foal to Flatter at the 2021 Keeneland January Sale. The mare is also the dam of a yearling filly by Flameaway and changed hands for $21,000 when offered in foal to Maxfield at last year's Keeneland September Sale.

Resplendence is the 57th worldwide stakes winner for Coolmore America's Justify. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

CINCINNATI TROPHY S., $174,800, Turfway, 2-20, 3yo, f, 1m (AWT), 1:40.69, ft.
1–RESPLENDENCE, 122, f, 3, by Justify
1st Dam: Paradise Alley, by Flower Alley
2nd Dam: Sealy Hill, by Point Given
3rd Dam: Boston Twist, by Boston Harbor
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Bonne Chance Farm LLC (KY); T-Paulo H Lobo; J-Alberto Burgos. $104,400. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-0, $177,959.
2–Lovely Grey, 122, f, 3, Vekoma–Knightwithputnam, by Unbridled's Song. 1ST BLACK TYPE.  ($75,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-JoAnn Adams & Anna Marie Carrico; B-Joann Adams & Katy Lee LLC (KY); T-Kelsey Danner. $34,000.
3–Resist, 122, f, 3, Maclean's Music–Bahama Babe, by Point of Entry. 1ST BLACK TYPE. ($145,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP). O/B-Military Pike Racing Stables LLC (KY); T-Thomas Drury Jr. $17,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 5, 3 3/4. Odds: 11.71, 5.50, 7.83.
Also Ran: Rip Current, Map of the Moon, Wonzee Weather, Belle of the Barn, Easter Promise, Coco Connect, Emily's Joy, Dame Laura.

The post Justify Filly Resplendence Goes All The Way In Cincinnati Trophy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The plan reinforces Horse Racing Alberta's commitment to building a sustainable and progressive horse racing industry grounded in integrity, accountability, collaboration, respect, and excellence.

Ka Ying Rising seeks a Hong Kong record 18th straight win when he races in the Feb. 22 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse.

W Heart Bond and Wilson Tesoro renew a rivalry on the Tokyo Racecourse dirt Feb. 22 in the February Stakes (G1).

Labwah, enjoying a stretch out in distance, won the Feb. 20 UAE Oaks (G3) convincingly enough to have her connections needing to choose between the Kentucky Oaks (G1) or the UAE Derby (G2), a steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse's two projected starters for the March 1 Rebel Stakes (G2), Silent Tactic and Strategic Risk, had their final pre-Rebel workouts Feb. 20 at Oaklawn Park.

Brotherly Love, a half brother to 2025 Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner Heart of Honor, surfaced as a potential Kentucky Derby (G1) contender in Dubai in a busy weekend of Derby doings.

The 41-day Thoroughbred meet at Lone Star Park will begin Thursday, April 16, and conclude July 12.

Buoyant trade carried through to Book 2 of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale as the second session built strongly on last year's figures, with improved returns across most key metrics reflecting renewed buyer confidence. 

Westbury Stud announced Feb. 19 the death of high-class racehorse and outstanding stallion Reliable Man, who was euthanized on veterinary advice aged 18 due to postsurgical complications following the removal of a melanoma. 

A breeding right in first-season sire Anamoe headlines what Inglis describes as one of the strongest Digital catalogs ever assembled, with 523 lots entered for the Inglis Digital Australia February (Late) Online Sale.

The National Thoroughbred League announced Feb. 20 that Mike Monroe has joined the league as its CEO.

Ocelli and grade 3 winner Incredibolt have emerged as anticipated starters for the $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs March 14.