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Atlantis Queen secures first stakes victory in Saturday’s Nellie Morse at Laurel Park. Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club photo.

Atlantis Queen returned to her Maryland home base – back into open stakes company and around two turns – and came away with a victory in the $100,000 Nellie Morse Stakes at Laurel Park.

Pocket 3s Racing’s 4-year-old daughter of Mitole bounced back from a fifth in the Bay Ridge Stakes last time out in late December to win the 1 1/16-mile Nellie Morse in a mild upset. Under Yedside Hazlewood, Atlantis Queen won by 4 1/4 lengths over Sultry Lass in 1:46.32 over the fast track.

Sent off as the 9-2 fourth choice in the field of eight, Atlantis Queen broke a step slow then settled into sixth early while a bit wide into the first turn. She stayed in that position through the opening splits of :23.70 and :48.41 with Late Nite Call setting the pace ahead of favored Complexity Jane and Kissedbyanangel.

Atlantis Queen advanced into third around the far turn and was only 1 ½ lengths behind Complexity Jane through 6 furlongs in 1:13.24. Atlantis Jane took over in the stretch, led by 2 lengths in midstretch and widened from there. Sultry Lass rallied for second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Late Nite Call with Complexity Jane fourth.

Atlantis Jane, who hadn’t run in an open stakes since finishing fourth in the Gin Talking in late December 2024 at Laurel, picked up $60,000 for the win. She improved to 3-for-16 with four seconds and $158,755.

Bred by ZBS Thoroughbreds LLC, Atlantis Queen is the first foal out of the stakes-winning New York-bred Haynesfield mare No Hayne No Gayne. A $72,000 RNA at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, Atlantis Queen later sold to Pocket 3s Racing for $30,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-year-old sale.

No Hayne No Gayne went 6-4-8 in 30 starts and earned $366,221. She won the 2019 Jack Betta Be Rite Stakes at Finger Lakes and placed in four other stakes. No Hayne No Gayne is also the dam of Atlantis Queen’s 3-year-old full brother Mitolegayne, a 2-year-old New York-bred Authentic filly that sold for $25,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred sale and a yearling filly by New York-based sire and New York-bred Horse of the Year Americanrevolution.

The post Atlantis Queen powers to Nellie Morse victory at Laurel appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

National Identity powers to fourth straight win in Saturday’s Say Florida Sandy at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo.

National Identity continued his trajectory up the ranks of leading older New York-breds with a victory in Saturday’s $135,000 Say Florida Sandy Stakes at Aqueduct.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s 4-year-old son of Solomini stretched his win streak to four in the 7-furlong Say Florida Sandy, winning by 1 3/4 lengths under Kendrick Carmouche. The run of wins came after National Identity returned from tieback surgery to deal correct a breathing issue.

“Since he came back from the tie back, he’s been really good,” winning trainer Danny Gargan said. “He’s always been a talented horse. We just got unfortunate last year that his throat went bad on him.”

National Identity’s win streak included an open allowance score last time out January 4 at Aqueduct. He finished second in three straight stakes at 2 and 3 – by a head, neck and nose – and a distant third as the favorite in the Times Square division of the New York Stallion Series Stakes in mid-April. He went to the sidelines after that effort and came back with authority last fall.

“He would’ve won those races last year, he was only getting about 60 percent of his airway, but the tie-back worked,” Gargan said. “He’s come back strong. He’s really good right now. When a horse is good, you’ve got to keep running them and try to maximize that, so we are running him pretty often for me.

“I didn’t breeze him for two weeks because of the weather, it goes to show you, sometimes we overtrain these horses. Once the weather cleared, it was a Monday, we’ve missed a breeze twice with him now and he still shows up.”

The 7-5 favorite in the field of seven, National Identity emerged from a four-way battle for the lead early with El Grande O, The Wine Steward and Acoustic Ave shortly after the start.

Carmouche coaxed National Identity through the opening quarter-mile in :23.41 ahead of El Grande O up the backstretch toward the far turn. They continued to show the way through the half in :46.97, opening up a 1 1/2-length advantage over El Grande O. Acoustic Ave, El Grande O and The Wine Steward gave chase approaching the stretch but National Identity spurted clear in the straight.

“My intention wasn’t to go because I thought the [Acoustic Ave] was a good horse running against really good older horses,” Carmouche said. “I was seeing what Santana [Ricardo Santana Jr., aboard The Wine Steward] was going to do but he didn’t break as sharp, and I said, ‘well, I’m going to go.’ Once I got the first quarter in 23, I let him run into the turn and the race was over. Only one horse could have beat me was [Acoustic Ave] from there. He ran perfect.”

Acoustic Ave tried to cut into National Identity’s 3-length lead in the stretch, but couldn’t get within 1 3/4 lengths at the finish. National Identity won in 1:24.80 over the fast track. Acoustic Ave held second, 3 3/4 lengths ahead of Quick to Accuse.

“He didn’t really want to be up on the front end, but speed has been really good all day,” Gargan said. “I told Kendrick that he’ll have to be up on it. I think he is better from off of it, but with the way the track is playing, we couldn’t take any risks. He came out of there running and ran really good. He’s really good right now. It is hard to win four in a row with a horse.”

National Identity, who is out of the Indian Charlie mare Cheyenne Autumn, improved to 5-for-10 and picked up $74,250 to boost his bankroll to $433,800.

Bred by Hunter Valley Farm, National Identity is the eighth foal out of Cheyenne Autumn. Reeves Thoroughbred Racing purchased the colt for $150,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. Cheyenne Autumn is the dam of four winners, including stakes winner and $267,126-earner Firecrow.

The post National Identity extends win streak in Say Florida Sandy appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Arctic Beast picks up third stakes victory in Saturday’s Damon Runyon at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

By Paul Halloran

Considering the way he dominates on the racetrack and the weather that has plagued New York this winter, Arctic Beast was a logical play for handicappers and hunch players alike in Saturday’s $135,000 Damon Runyon Stakes at Aqueduct.

Making his 3-year-old debut, the son of Yaupon turned a contested race into a romp, rolling to a 9 3/4-length win in the 7-furlong stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds.

“He’s a really fun horse to ride,” said jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. “He’s a really classy 3-year-old. I know the track is playing speed, and he’s fast. I thought I had much the best horse in the race, so I decided to take him the lead.”

The 3-5 favorite broke first and Santana was able to guide him over to what has been a golden rail at the Big A over the last week of racing. Combat Mission chased him through a first quarter in :23.19 and was only a head behind as they came around the far turn, but Santana had a ton of horse and it showed.

The lead was 5 1/2 lengths by the time they hit the stretch call and when Santana looked behind him inside the eighth pole, there was not a threat to be seen. The winning time was 1:25.11, with Combat Mission holding on for second and Time to Roll finishing third.

In improving to 4-1-0 in five starts, Arctic Beast, a $275,000 purchase at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, increased his earnings to $339,753 for owners Paradise Farms Corp., JP Racing Stable, David Staudacher, Zilla Racing Stables and Jennifer Rice.

Trained by Mike Maker, Arctic Beast came into the Damon Runyon off a second as the 4-5 favorite in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park December 20.

“It was a pretty good race last time, but we thought we’d cut him back and give him a little time and this was a good spot back to New York-breds,” said Peter Proscia of Paradise Farms. “We’ll see what happens from here. If he comes back good, we’ll look for maybe something [with] a little more competition – perhaps open (company). One race at a time.”

Bred by Rockridge Stud LLC, Saratoga Glen Farm and Beal’s Racing Stable LLC, Arctic Beast is the second foal out of the Frost Giant mare Frostie Anne, a multiple New York-bred stakes winner who earned of $584,443. He was originally a $120,000 weanling at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale.

After breaking his maiden at Saratoga August 15, Arctic Beast won consecutive stakes at Finger Lakes by a combined 13 lengths, the Aspirant and the New York Breeders’ Futurity, prompting the connections to ship to Oklahoma and take a shot at a $300,000 stakes for 2-year-olds. He took a run at 34-1 longshot Express Kid in the stretch but couldn’t get by at Remington.

“In Remington, first time two turns, I was talking to one owner, and I said, ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea to go to the lead first time two turns.’ I knew he was going to get a little tired, so we decided to take him back. We were happy with him and the way he relaxed,” Santana said.

There was no need to sit back on Saturday and Arctic Beast ran them off their feet in remaining perfect against state-breds.

The post Arctic Beast back in win column in Damon Runyon appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Waterville Lake Stables’ Galinda dominates Saturday’s East View Stakes at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo.

By Darby O’Brien

Waterville Lake Stables’ Galinda put on a magical front-running show in Saturday’s $135,000 East View Stakes at Aqueduct.

Galinda broke sharp and rocketed to an early lead. She led easily through an opening quarter in :23.64 as Victory Hall settled in just off the pace. After a half in :47.38, the field entered the stretch and it was clear there was no catching Galinda. Both Victory Hall and Rina’s Revenge made brief, though fruitless, challenges as the Miguel Clement trainee cruised to a 9-1/4 length victory under Jaime Rodriguez in 1:24.97.

“It was fantastic,” said Waterville Lake’s Tim Tully. “I said to the jockey, he didn’t have to do very much. She just took off and never looked back. It was an extra furlong, but she handled that and it’s exciting to see what will happen the rest of the summer.”

Trained by Miguel Clement, the 3-year-old daughter of Good Magic cost $120,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. She came into her stakes debut Saturday off a debut victory January 10 at Aqueduct.

“She’s talented, and she’s versatile,” Clement said. “She won her debut from off the pace, and today she went straight to the front. She’s got gears, and she’s very talented, this filly. We’re very, very lucky. She handled today with relative ease. At every stage of the race I thought she looked like a winner. She dominated.”

Rodriguez felt like the filly would be up to the task based on her recent training.

“She’s been working awesome in the morning,” said Rodriguez, “She’s been breezing amazing. Every time she breezes, I have so much horse. I don’t even let her loose in the morning. Today, I rode her the same way – let her break, let her get comfortable and when [Pinky Brier] got left, I got the opportunity to drop her to the rail because I know when she gets to the lead, I know she gets brave. She gave me everything today.”

Thanks to Saturday’s success, Galinda is not only 2-for-2 lifetime, but now a stakes winner.

Looking ahead, Clement hopes to stretch the filly out further, though most likely sticking to one-turn races.

“The one we consider strongly is the Virginia Oaks [at 1 1/16 miles March 14 at Colonial Downs]. It’s one turn, but still stretching her,” said Clement, “I don’t know how distance-limited she is, to be frank, but we shall see. She’s a good filly.”

Bred by Daniel Burke and Kathleen Burke Schweizer, Galinda is the second foal out of the five-time winning Super Saver mare Super Humor. She is also the dam of Lifting, a winning 4-year-old colt by Curlin.

The post Galinda puts on a show in East View Stakes appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Darkness had long fallen over Riyadh but one star lit up the night sky as Forever Young (Real Steel) galloped into the history books as the first dual winner of the $20m G1 Saudi Cup.

Last year he was forced to stalk Romantic Warrior all along the stretch for glory, but this time the tables were turned, with Nysos (Nyquist) locking sights on his prey in a determined effort to give Bob Baffert a longed-for victory in the world's richest race.

Instead it once more went the way of Yoshito Yahagi, who proclaimed after the race, “I love Saudi and my horses love Saudi.”

It's no wonder, as Yahagi is the winningmost trainer in the history of the meeting, with seven victories to his name in Riyadh, including, crucially, three Saudi Cup wins in only seven runnings.

Simply, Forever Young made his mission look easy. He broke sharply, tucked in behind the leaders, slotted through a gap on the rail turning for home and ground his way back along that straight he has come to know so well. The perfect racehorse, he is Japan's Horse of the year, an Eclipse Award winner and, increasingly, everybody's darling. 

Earlier in the week, Baffert had promised that it would be “King Kong versus Godzilla” and both horses played their parts to perfection. The lofty reputation of the valiant Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos was far from dented by going down so narrowly to this warrior of a winner, but of course, for Baffert, a third runner-up in the Saudi Cup was the last thing he wanted.

“This race is almost like the Kentucky Derby because unless you win, second isn't that exciting,” he said. “The good thing, though, is that Nysos showed up. Forever Young is just so good.”

Indeed he is and Yahagi, for his part, was reluctant to take any credit.

“I had a lot of pressure on me before the race as he was the best in the field. I think it's not my training that makes him this great horse, I think the horse is just made like a champion and I have little to do with it.”

Ryusei Sakai, who learned his craft in Yahagi's stable from his apprentice days onwards, has been aboard Forever Young for every one of his victories and is so sure of his bond with the horse that he “had no worries”.

“I trust this horse so much,” he added. “There was no pressure, this is my job, the same every time. I'm very proud of him and I want to thank everyone who supported all the team.”

For everyone who does support Forever Young, a glimmer of hope that he may not retire at the end of this year as planned was given by his owner Susumu Fujita, who had arrived in Saudi just hours before the race and left soon afterwards but naturally enjoyed his short and highly lucrative day trip. He said, “I enjoyed this so much that I am already starting to think about next year's Saudi Cup.”

Ominously, Yahagi added that he thinks Forever Young is still improving, and if the team surrounding the horse needs any extra evidence of the regard in which he is held, beyond the rapturous reception given as he returned victorious, it may have come from the journalist with a special request from a young fan in Peru who asked that Sakai sign a photo of the horse for him. The world traveller has gained a worldwide following.

Next stop, logically, is Meydan, to try to dispel the frustrations of last year's third-place finish behind Hit Show and Mixto. 

“Of course our next target is the Dubai World Cup, so that is what we have to concentrate on now. And then, well I have no idea,” Yahagi said. “Last year, it didn't work out in the Dubai World Cup, he just wasn't good enough. We will try our best to win it this year.”

With Nysos battling all the way for second, Wathnan Racing's Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance) posted another impressive effort in top company when taking third under James Doyle.

Racing manager Case Clay said of the six-year-old, “It was a big result for us. We're proud of the horse. He came over here and stepped up in trip in the Al Maktoum Challenge and finished second and finished strong there. He was suited to the track well here.”

Pedigree Notes

Forever Young, a ¥98,000,000 JRHA July yearling, is one of six graded/group winners for Real Steel. Winner of the 2016 GII Santa Ynez S., Forever Darling is also the dam of G3 Artemis S. heroine Brown Ratchet (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}); the three-year-old filly Darlinghurst (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) who won in Japan on Saturday; and a juvenile colt by Rey de Oro (Jpn), who was bought by Forever Young's owner for ¥330,000,000 ($2,241,865) at the 2025 JRHA Select Sale. Forever Young's second dam is the multiple stakes winner and multiple Grade-I placed Darling My Darling (Deputy Minister). She is responsible for 2017 GI Darley Alcibiades S. victress Heavenly Love (Malibu Moon), the dam of Sierra Leone.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
SAUDI CUP-G1, $20,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-14, 4yo/up, 1800m, 1:51.03, ft.
1–FOREVER YOUNG (JPN), 126, h, 5, by Real Steel (Jpn)
1st Dam: Forever Darling (GSW-US, $217,545), by Congrats
2nd Dam: Darling My Darling, by Deputy Minister
3rd Dam: Roamin Rachel, by Mining
(¥98,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Racing; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Ryusei Sakai; $10,000,000. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year & G1SW-Jpn, Ch. Older Dirt Male & GISW-US, GSW & G1SP-UAE, 14-11-0-3, $29,358,590. *1/2 to Brown Ratchet (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $239,613. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Nysos, 126, h, 5, Nyquist–Zetta Z, by Bernardini. ($130,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $150,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $550,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard. O-Baoma Corp; B-Susie Atkins (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Flavien Prat; $3,500,000.
3–Tumbarumba, 126, g, 6, Oscar Performance–Naive Enough, by Street Sense. ($30,000 Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Coteau Grove Farms LLC (LA); T-Hamad Al Jehani; J-James Doyle; $2,000,000.
Margins: 1, 3 3/4, 1.
Also Ran: Bishops Bay, Luxor Cafe, Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn), Mhally (GB), Banishing, Rattle N Roll, Ameerat Alzamaan (GB), Thundersquall (GB), Nevada Beach, Haqeet. Scratched: Star of Wonder. Click for the JCSA chart (R9).

The post Forever Young Outguns Nysos To Repeat In Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

In the week leading up to the Saudi Cup meeting, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert lamented to anyone who would listen about just how taxing those final 100 meters at King Abdulaziz Racecourse can be on the equine athletes.

And he's certainly got the right to take that position, given that the likes of Mucho Gusto and Charlatan couldn't quite see it out in the G1 Saudi Cup, while Havnameltdown was just tagged after a long stretch duel in the G3 Saudi Derby a few years back. Pinehurst did manage to strike for Baffert in the 2022 Derby….if only just.

In Saturday's $2-million G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland this fall, that final half-furlong finally came in handy, as Imagination (Into Mischief), last seen finishing runner-up in the 2025 Sprint at Del Mar, needed every inch of the deep surface to grind his way past fellow American shipper Just Beat the Odds (Munnings) for the victory. Saudi Arabia's top sprinter Muqtahem (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), runner-up to Straight No Chaser (Speightster) here 12 months ago, picked up more prize money with a valiant third.

Imagination was behind the eight ball right from the word go after missing the break and found himself in a cloud of dust from near the back of the pack. Just Beat the Odds argued the early fractions outside of the Dubai-based Echo Point (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), with Breeders' Cup Sprint fourth American Stage (Into Mischief) and Muqtahem widest out.

Switched off heels while racing on his wrong lead approaching mid-stretch, Imagination continued to plug away gamely and surged past Just Beat The Odds for the victory despite never changing his legs. Muqtahem was gallant in third ahead of American Stage, with California's Lovesick Blues (Grazen) rallying belatedly into fifth.

“Usually when they hit the 100-meter mark, my horses start gassing out, but he was just getting going,” Baffert said. “Brilliant ride by Prat. You have to have a really good horse to win here and they have to show up on this big night.”

Added the recently crowned champion jockey: “He broke a step slow and then I got squeezed but I felt very confident when we hit the turn, he was travelling very well and kicked on good. I think he's going to keep improving. Bob always loved him, it took him a bit of time to figure it out but with time he's just getting better and better.”

Pedigree Notes:

The longshot winner of the 2012 GII Barbara Fritchie Handicap and third behind Groupie Doll (Bowman's Band) in that year's GI Humana Distaff Stakes for breeder Peter Blum and Allen Iwinski, Magical Feeling has bred eight foals, all of which have started and six of which are winners, including 2023 GIII Monmouth Oaks victress Occult and the listed winners Exulting and Magical.

Imagination traces back to Blum's Mine Only–Imagination's fourth dam–and the female family includes Grade I winners Golden Ticket (Speightstown) and Well Chosen (Deputy Minister) as well as Academy Award (Secretariat) and the MG1SP Tomahawk (Seattle Slew). Sixth dam Sun Igual was a full-sister to Horse of the Year and Triple Crown winner Assault.

The cross of Into Mischief–now 21 years old–over Empire Maker mares has been a potent one, accounting for 33 winners from 48 starters and eight full stakes winners. Among those are 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard and GI Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun; the latter's 'Rising Star' full-brother Mullion; Laurel River, the 2024 G1 Dubai World Cup romper; and the late Taraz. New York-based stallion Honest Mischief is a son of Empire Maker's half-sister Honest Lady (Seattle Slew).

Magical Feeling is also the dam of the 3-year-old colt Make My Day (Gun Runner), a $1.1-million KEESEP purchase who was a distant third behind 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}) at Tampa Feb. 7, and the mare is due to National Treasure for her 2026 produce.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
RIYADH DIRT SPRINT (Presented by SHG)-G2, $2,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-14, 4yo/up, 1200m, 1:12, ft.
1-IMAGINATION, 126, h, 5, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Magical Feeling (GSW & GISP-US, $554,532), by Empire Maker
2nd Dam: Magical Mood (GB), by Forestry
3rd Dam: Good Mood, by Devil's Bag
($1,050,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Dianne Bashor, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital, LLC, Catherine Donovan, Tom J. Ryan; B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Flavien Prat;$1,200,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & MGISP-US, 15-4-6-2, $2,143,700. *1/2 to Exulting (Tapit), SW-US, $687,370; Magical (Tapit), SW-US, $164,550; and a full to Occult (Into Mischief), GSW & MGISP-US, $721,006. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Just Beat The Odds, 126, g, 6, Munnings–Bella d'Oro, by Medaglia d'Oro. O-Donna Wright; B-Red Oak Stable (KY); T-Greg Sacco; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.; $400,000.
3–Muqtahem (Ire), 126, g, 5, Soldier's Call (GB)–Smooth Sailing (GB), by Bated Breath (GB). (£27,000 Ylg '22 GOFPRE; £60,000 2yo '23 GOFAPR). O-Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah; B-Ballyhane; T-Abdullah Alsidrani; J-Muhammad Aldaham; $200,000.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, 2 3/4.
Also Ran: American Stage, Lovesick Blues, Gabby's Sister (Jpn), Don Amitie (Jpn), Transferred (Ire), Colour Up (Ire), Echo Point (Ire), Self Improvement (Aus), Yamanin Cerchi (Jpn), Royal Zabeel (Ire). Click for the JCSA chart and VIDEO (SC 9).

The post Into Mischief’s Imagination Leads American 1-2 In Riyadh Dirt Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah's Al Haram (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), unbeaten and untouched in three tries entering Saturday's $1.5-million G3 Saudi Derby, came with a barnstorming run through the final 200 meters and raced over the top of a pair of raiding rivals to score by a widening 1 1/4 lengths over 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Obliteration (Violence) and hot favorite Satono Voyage (Jpn) (Into Mischief).

The victory was worth 30 points to the winner on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, though he was not among the original nominees to the series when entries closed in late January. He can be supplemented for $6,000 at the second stage in early April.

Having debut as late as last November with a course-and-distance victory, the £150,000 purchase out of the 2024 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale thrashed a field of local 3-year-olds when running out 7 1/4 lengths to the good in the 2000 Guineas, the final Saudi Derby prep back on Jan. 17.

Beaten for speed, as largely expected, Al Haram settled right at the back of the field, as Obliteration showed the way, with Satono Voyage glued to his outside and Nashua Stakes and Jerome Stakes winner My World (Essential Quality) also in the phalanx widest out.

Patiently handled throughout by leading local rider Ricardo Ferreira, Al Haram commenced a rally three furlongs from home and was in full gear by the time Obliteration and Satono Voyage peeled away from the rest of their rivals. The pair looked as if they were going to settle it, but Al Haram split rivals decisively with 200 meters to travel and savaged the line to win going away. Obliteration just got the better of Satono Voyage for second.

“It was very special because I think this horse is the best one I have ridden in my life,” said Ferreira. “The stable have done a really good job. This horse has improved race by race. He wants a little more distance. I think he's better with 2000 meters, but this was the goal for this weekend, to win this race. He doesn't jump well but he comes step by step.”

Ultimately, a trip to Churchill Downs remains a possibility, but Al Haram does hold an entry for the G2 UAE Derby (1900m) at Meydan on Mar. 28 and that could well be the next port of call.

Sheikh Faisal Al Sabah, son of Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, owner's representative, said: “He's a champion, he's an amazing horse. From the beginning here in Saudi Arabia he's been fascinating us.

“He showed his class today and hopefully the next stop the UAE Derby. Hopefully he is good enough to be in the Kentucky Derby, he's a very good horse.”

Of the runner-up, assistant trainer Scott Blasi commented: “It was a really good effort. Kind of took the worst of it and really finished on well. I'm super proud of him.”

Pedigree Notes:

Al Haram is a rare stakes winner on the dirt for his sire, who was being represented by his 104th to succeed at the black-type level, 51 group or graded winners.

Al Haram is the lone starter from an unraced full-sister to the crack sprinter Limato (Ire), whose 13 career victories include two of the premier short-track events in Europe, the G1 Darley July Cup and the G1 Prix de la Foret. He was placed in a further four elite-level sprints, including the Diamond Jubilee Stakes , Nunthorpe Stakes and Commonwealth Cup. This is also the female family of G1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes winner Compton Admiral (GB).

Liberamente is also the dam of the 2-year-old colt Clink (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) that was sold for 30,000gns at Tattersalls October last fall and a yearling colt by Mehmas (Ire).

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
SAUDI DERBY (Presented by ZOOD Realty)-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-14, NH/SH3yo, 1600m, 1:38.45, ft.
1–AL HARAM (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Iffraaj (GB)
1st Dam: Liberamente (Ire), by Tagula (Ire)
2nd Dam: Come April (GB), by Singspiel (Ire)
3rd Dam: So Admirable (GB), by Suave Dancer
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. (£150,000 Ylg '24 GOFPRE). O-Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah; B-Seamus Phelan (Ire); T-Abdullah Alsidrani; J-Ricardo Ferreira; $900,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $587,333. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Obliteration, 126, c, 3, Violence–I'mclassyandsassy, by Master Command. ($200,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard. O-Leland Acklerley Racing, LLC, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe & John Cilia; B-Ocala Stud (KY); T-Steve Asmussen; J-Joel Rosario; $300,000.
3–Satono Voyage (Jpn), 126, Into Mischief–Jolie Olimpica (Brz), by Drosselmeyer. 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Hajime Satomi; B-Shimokobe Farm (Jpn); T-Hiroyasu Tanaka; J-Keita Tosaki; $150,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3/4, 2 1/4.
Also Ran: Wonder Dean (Jpn), Keiai Agito (Jpn), Tuwajeri (Ire), Acknowledgmepls, Very Connected, Best Green (Jpn), Union Security, My World, Tokai Ma Cherie (Jpn), Shayem (Ire), Cielo Di Roma (Fr). Click for the JCSA chart and VIDEO (SC 2).

The post Iffraaj Colt Al Haram Stays Unbeaten in Saudi Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

New owners Bradley and Sharon Kleven are hoping to take another big step down the Road to the Kentucky Derby with Express Kid, who they bought for $800,000 in January.

Fans turn out during Tampa Bay Downs' Feb. 13 card to get autographs and interact with legendary riders during a Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund event at the track.

The day after his death at age 80, John Shirreffs is remembered by horsemen and owner Lee Searing.

Citing charges related to a racist post to his Facebook account in December, as well as his actions during an investigation since that post, the New York Racing Association is moving forward with plans to banish trainer Kevin Bond from its tracks.

Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming is proud to announce that $20 million in awards is on the way to breeders participating in the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund in celebration of the 20-year anniversary of the program

Saudi Cup weekend got off to a flying start Feb. 13 as a Kentucky-bred Saudi star in the making won the Fillies Mile and Mickael Barzalona took the International Jockeys' Challenge by winning the final two races of the series.

Millionaire multiple stakes winner Coal Battle is back on the work tab at Oaklawn in advance of his 4-year-old debut, which trainer Lonnie Briley said could come in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3) for older horses March 28.

The awards honor Canada's champions and recognizing their outstanding achievements in Canadian Thoroughbred racing and breeding. Multiple grade 2 winner Gas Me Up and grade 1-placed stakes winner My Boy Prince are finalists in multiple categories.

The report describes how profits from its commercial, for-profit subsidiaries and partnerships are used to support important industry initiatives.

Wagering on Lecomte Stakes (G3) runner-up Mesquite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager has been suspended due to a suspected soft tissue injury that removed him from Kentucky Derby consideration.

Asian Racing Conference participants point to global cooperation as a way to combat problems facing the industry.

The Road, presented by Gainesway and WinStar Farm

According to a post on FanDuel TV's X account, FanDuel has “parted ways” with long-time on-air host Todd Schrupp.

“We're grateful for Todd's contributions to the network,” the tweet read. “He played an important role in helping grow our on-air presence and connecting with viewers. We thank him for his work and dedication and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

FanDuel did not provide a reason why Schrupp would no longer be working for the network.

Schrupp was there at the beginning, starting with what was then TVG when it was launched in 1999 and, for the next 26 years, was among the most visible talents on the network that would later be renamed FanDuel TV. He was often used to anchor coverage of some of the sport's major events, like the GI Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup.

“It's the end of an era. I grew up watching Todd on TVG; it won't be the same without him.,” one X account holder tweeted.

Before joining TVG, Schrupp worked in the marketing and customer relations departments at Canterbury Park and served as an in-house handicapper at Calder Race Course.

FanDuel TV and Todd Schrupp have parted ways.

We're grateful for Todd's contributions to the network. He played an important role in helping grow our on-air presence and connecting with viewers. We thank him for his work and dedication and wish him all the best in his future…

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 13, 2026

The post Todd Schrupp Out at FanDuel TV appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.