Feed aggregator

Scottish Lassie (McKinzie), a multiple Grade I winner, has been withdrawn from the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff and will be sold Nov. 3 at Fasig-Tipton's “Night of the Stars” (Hip 226), the connections said via a press release on Thursday.

According to trainer Jorge Abreu, he was “not 100% satisfied with the way Scottish Lassie was moving this morning, so out of an abundance of caution we've decided to scratch her from the race. This filly has a ton of heart, but in fairness to her, we didn't want to ask her to compete this weekend against the world's highest level of competition unless she was absolutely 100%.”

In just her second career start, Scottish Lassie broke her maiden in the GI Frizette Stakes at Belmont At The Big A by an eye-popping nine lengths, one of the widest margins in the race's 80-year history.

This year, at 3, she added the GI Coaching Club American Oaks to her resume, dominating the field by 15 1/2 lengths–the race's largest margin of victory in nearly 50 years. There, she defeated MGISW and champion Immersive (Nyquist), while earning a 99 Beyer Speed Figure and 7 Ragozin, making her one of the fastest two-turn, dirt fillies of her generation.

Scottish Lassie is from the first crop of young stallion McKinzie, while her dam, Bodebabe, is a winning half-sister to stakes winner Windmill, and to the dam of Crown the Buckeye (Yaupon), a multiple stakes winner at 2 in 2025. Scottish Lassie's very active female family also includes Grade I winners Visionaire (Grand Slam) and Tara's Tango (Unbridled's Song).

Bred in Kentucky by Winchester Farm, Scottish Lassie has earned $735,760 thus far for owners Sportsmen Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Photos Finish LLC, Corms Racing Stable and Jorge Abreu.

The dark bay will be offered as a racing/broodmare prospect during the Fasig-Tipton sale with Taylor Made Sales Agency as consignor.

The post MGISW Scottish Lassie Withdrawn From Breeders’ Cup, To Sell At Fasig-Tipton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

1/ST CONTENT will make Turkish racing available for North American pool betting via Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) on all Turkish races, across web and mobile app channels, in U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions where ADW is accepted, the company said in press release on Thursday.

Turkish racing content is now live via Premier Gateway International hosting, using 1/ST TECHNOLOGY's AmTote platform tech, and will also be delivered to a broader worldwide market via 1/ST CONTENT's existing distribution partners at Racing1 (the full-service global hub which also includes international racing content from ARC, RMG and Tabcorp) and Sky Racing World in North America. The release also said that as a result, more customers from Australia (Tabcorp), Germany (German Tote) and other countries will be able to access Turkish racing via the international pool commingling.

The post 1/ST CONTENT Makes Turkish Racing Available On North American ADWs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

In a statement issued Thursday, The Stronach Group owned Elite Turf Club, LLC, and AmTote International, Inc., have responded to a class action lawsuit filed last week against several Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) related wagering entities under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) and under state law, alleging they have “organized and participated in the corruption of the betting system to the detriment of the class.”

The debate around CAW players typically surrounds the edge they wield over regular gamblers thanks to their use of sophisticated technologies that allow them to precisely read the markets and place massive wagers across many pools in the final seconds of betting–which can lead to massive odds drops–as well as the attractive rates and rebates offered to them which are unavailable to the average punter.

Among its various arguments, Thursday's statement claims the benefits available to CAW players are similar to airline miles or credit card rebate programs, and that the lawsuit “has the potential to devastate an entire industry.”

Elite Turf Club is a CAW wagering platform 80% owned by Stronach Group and 20% owned by the New York Racing Association (NYRA).

AmTote International is the dominant totalizator service provider for North American racetracks, described in the lawsuit as the “clearing house of U.S. pari-mutuel wagering.”

The other defendants in the class action lawsuit, brought by former horse racing gambler Ryan Dickey, comprise Churchill Downs Inc (which owns CAW wagering platform Velocity), NYRA, United Tote Company and Racing & Gaming Services, another CAW wagering platform.

The full statement can be read here:

Elite Turf Club, LLC, and AmTote International, Inc., are among several horse racing industry organizations that have been named in a class action lawsuit filed recently in the state of New York by a single bettor from Colorado. These claims are meritless, and the company will vigorously defend itself. The lawsuit fundamentally misrepresents the nature of computer-assisted wagering (CAW) and the role Elite Turf Club and AmTote International have in operating, managing and regulating wagering activity. CAW is a long-standing industry, federal and state regulated component of the North American and global pari-mutuel wagering system. All participation in CAW is subject to the same pool rules, tote system audits and state regulatory approvals that govern all other forms of wagering.

Claims that CAWs receive an unfair advantage are unfounded and ignore the safeguards built into the regulatory and technological framework of racing. Like many businesses, high volume customers, including CAW players, may receive benefits such as rebates based on the volume of play; this is no different than and can be likened to airline miles or credit card rebate programs. These benefits do not offer any advantage in wagering outcomes – it is a customer incentive program that is important to not only our business but the industry. The horse racing ecosystem is made of many stakeholders – horses, jockeys, backstretch employees, trainers, breeders, and all types of bettors including retail customers, advanced deposit wagering accountholders and CAW players. Each of these stakeholders play a critical role in the viability and sustainability of this sport. Make no mistake – this lawsuit is an attack on the entire industry and puts at risk the tens of thousands of working families and the communities that rely on it. This baseless lawsuit has the potential to devastate an entire industry.

The company will unequivocally defend the integrity of our business operations while continuing to lead innovation in this sport. We are confident in the integrity of our systems, the strength of our oversight, and the safeguards in place designed to prevent unfair play. We will continue to work closely with our industry partners and regulators to ensure a level field for all participants to deliver a world-class racing product to our fans, horsemen and women, and bettors. We will address these unfounded and outrageous claims through the appropriate legal channels.

The post Stronach-Owned Entities Respond To Class Action CAW Lawsuit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Keeneland has supplemented a total of 14 horses to its two November sales with Fall Meet winner Ayra Stark (Arg) (Cosmic Trigger) joining Book 1 of the Breeding Stock sale on Tuesday, Nov. 4 and the remaining 13 horses being added to the Horses of Racing Age sale on Wednesday, Nov. 12, according to a press release from the auction company on Thursday.

Added to Book 1 of the Breeding Stock sale, Ayra Stark, a Group 2 winner in her native Argentina who captured a Keeneland allowance race Oct. 15. Winner of two races from five starts in North America, the 5-year-old mare's sire is a grandson of Danehill Dancer. She is consigned by I. C. Racing, agent, and cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect.

The November Breeding Stock sale, which will cover eight days through Tuesday, Nov. 11, has cataloged 3,086 horses. Of those, 224 horses are in the Book 1 catalogue.

Keeneland will consider supplemental entries to Book 1 until the November sale begins.

The stand-alone Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age sale has cataloged 203 horses. The latest round of supplements includes these fillies consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, and cataloged as racing or broodmare prospects:

• Bessie Abott (Ire), a 3-year-old filly by Australian-bred Kurushio who won a Woodbine allowance Oct. 23. Runner-up in this year's GIII Wonder Again Stakes at Saratoga, she is a half-sister to stakes winner Spirit and Glory (Ire). Bessie Abott is out of winner Supreme Spirit, by Invincible Spirit;
• Dancing N Dixie, a 4-year-old listed stakes winner and multiple Grade II-placed filly by Neolithic. A half-sister to stakes winner R Morning Brew, she is out of the Uncaptured mare Foolhearted Woman;
• Golden Canary, a 4-year-old listed stakes winner by Medaglia d'Oro who is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Oct. 11 GIII Ontario Fashion Stakes. Her dam is Black Canary, a stakes-placed daughter of War Front.
• Souper Supreme, a 3-year-old multiple stakes-winning filly by the Indian Charlie stallion Souper Speedy. A half-sister to multiple Canadian champion and King's Plate winner Paramount Prince, she is a full sister to stakes winner Its Time to Shine and from the family of Grade I winner and sire Army Mule.

Consignor Indian Creek, agent, also has supplemented these Grade III winners to the Horses of Racing Age sale:

• Abeliefinthislivin, a 5-year-old son of Arrogate cataloged as a racing or stallion prospect;
• Apprehend, a 6-year-old son of Arrogate cataloged as a racing or stallion prospect;
• August Rain, a 4-year-old gelding by Sungold.

Click here for the online November Breeding Stock sale catalogue and here for the online November Horses of Racing Age catalogue.

The post Keeneland Supplements 14 Horses To November Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The TDN Writers' Room, which is presented by Keeneland, took a different route this week, handicapping every Breeders' Cup race. How did we do? We'll know late Saturday evening.

Here are the highlights of the picks made by Zoe Cadman, Bill Finley and Randy Moss.

FRIDAY:

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint: Predicting that Aidan O'Brien is going to have a huge Friday, Finley picked True Love (Ire) (No Nay Never), pointing out that the filly is coming off a Group I win in the Cheveley Park S. and looks to be the class of the race. Moss vowed to try to beat many of the favorites. He thought the draw did O'Brien no favors and said it was a four-horse race-True Love, Cy Fair (Not This Time), Lennilu (Leinster) and Havana Anna (GB) (Havana Grey ({GB}). Cadman was confident that True Love would win.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies: Both Cadman and Finley liked Percy's Bar (Upstart), who crossed the wire in front of the hot favorite Tommy Jo (Into Mischief), who was placed first through disqualification, in the GI Alcibiades S. Finley said Percy's Bar was the best horse in the Alcibiades, despite the DQ. But Cadman was worried that Percy's Bar would bounce, so said to include Explora (Blame) on your tickets. Moss went with Explora. He didn't think Tommy Jo could get the distance.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Finley picked the O'Brien-trained Precise (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), though was worried about his post position, the 13 hole. Moss said Precise would be too short a price and made Ultimate Love (Curlin) his top pick. Cadman gave out three horses, Precise, Ultimate Love and Brave Deb (Authentic). Of Ultimate Love, she said, “She was just the easiest of winners (in the Selima). She's a big, beautiful daughter of Curlin.”

Breeders' Cup Juvenile: As much as he liked Ted Noffey, Finley picked Blackout Time (Not This Time) on top, figuring that the Kenny McPeek-trained horse had yet to peak. He said to box Ted Noffey and Black Out Time in the exacta. Cadman also like Ted Noffey, but said Intrepido (Maximus Mischief) is capable of posting the upset. Moss said the price on Ted Noffey will be too low, so he went for the Bob Baffert-trained Brant (Gun Runner). “He's going to set the pace,” Moss said. “Wire-to-wire.”

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf: Finley and Moss agreed that this was one of the toughest races among all the Breeders' Cup. Finley settled on Street Beast (Street Sense). Moss also took Street Beast. Neither of them appeared too confident. Based on how impressed she was with the way Bottas (Vekoma) has looked in the mornings, he was Cadman's pick. “He's a gorgeous son of Vekoma,” she said.

SATURDAY:

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint: Saying he was ultra-impressed with the Oct. 24 workout at Santa Anita, Hope Road (Quality Road) was Finley's pick. Cadman went with Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca). Despite the filly having relatively slow Beyer figures, she said not to throw out Tamara (Bolt d'Oro). Moss also liked Hope Road but was also high on the chances of Sweet Azteca.

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Acknowledging that it was a sentimental pick, Finley went with the 9-year-old Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). He said his last race, a win in the GII Woodford at Keeneland, was ultra impressive after he got off slowly. “He runs a lot better in the U.S. than he does in Europe, and that's probably because he loves firm turf,” Finley said. Cadman went with the mare,  Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy). “She looks like a man amongst boys,” she said. Moss said the race was between Ag Bullet and Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}).

The Breeders' Cup Sprint: All agreed that it wasn't the strongest Breeders' Cup Sprint ever assembled. Finley, Cadman and Moss all picked Bentornato (Valiant Minister), with Moss implying that he was his best bet in the Breeders' Cup. “I've been trying to beat all the favorites. I can't try to beat this one,” Moss said. Cadman didn't pick Kopion (Omaha Beach) but said her last workout (three furlongs in 33 1/5) was sensational.

Breeders' Cup Distaff: Finley, who said Baffert will have a huge Breeders' Cup, thought Seismic Beauty (Uncle Mo) was the most likely winner of all his Breeder' Cup starters. “Her Beyer numbers, she's so much faster than everyone else,” he said. Cadman took a stand against Seismic Beauty, saying she hasn't been all that impressed with the way she was training up to the race. She went with Dorth Vader (Girvin) and so did Moss. “I think there could be enough pace pressure on Seismic Beauty to maybe soften her up a little bit, so, it's Dorth Vader for me,” Moss said.

Breeders' Cup Turf: Finley didn't expect any surprises, saying it was a two-horse race between the European stars, Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Minnie Hauk (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). He tabbed Rebel's Romance on top. “Charlie Appleby versus Aidan O'Brien. What's better than that?” Finley. Moss agreed. “These are the two standouts,” he said.” It's almost a coin flip.” He thought Amiloc (GB) (Postponed {Ire}) had a good chance to round out the trifecta. Cadman picked Minnie Hauk, the runner-up in the GI Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Breeders' Cup Classic: It became a much different race with the official scratch of Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and none of our handicappers had a firm opinion. Finley went with Fierceness (City of Light), but said he was worried about the horse's erratic nature. Cadman went with last year's winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner). “Leone looks great coming in from Saratoga. He's actually honed up a little bit. He's a little tighter than the last time I saw him,” she said. Moss, who loves to pick Japanese horses, went with Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steal {Jpn}), saying he was very impressed with his win in the GI Saudi Cup.

Breeders' Cup Mile: Another one of the tougher races on the card. Moss liked Johannes (Nyquist), saying he'll be a steal if he goes off at his morning-line odds of 8-1. Looking for a price, Finley picked the European invader Sahlan (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who is coming off a a win in the GI Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. Also looking for a price, Cadman picked Jonquil (Lope de Vega {Ire}).

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile: Finley predicted a repeat win for Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast), saying he will love the turn back to the mile after finishing second in the nine furlong GI Goodwood. Cadman said it would be a Baffert exacta, Nysos (Nyquist) over Citizen Bull (Into Mischief). Moss was also on the Nysos bandwagon.

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf: Finley was on Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), saying she had no chance in the Arc and would run back to her big efforts in the GI Prix Vermeille and GI Prix de Diane. Moss said he is a big fan of She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}), but doesn't think she will like the distance. He liked both Charlie Appleby horses, Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) and Diamond Rain (GB) (Shamardal). “I am not using She Feels Pretty for the reasons Randy mentioned. She just can't relax,” Cadman said. She picked Diamond Rain.

The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was the bargain-basement buy Chunk of Gold (Preservationist), who got a 103 Beyer for his win in a Keeneland allowance.  The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar.

The podcast is also sponsored by 1/ST TV, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, Gainesway, West Point  Thoroughbreds and the KTOB.

The post TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Tackles the Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), winner of the GI Diana Stakes in July, has been supplemented to Monday's Fasig-Tipton November Sale. The 5-year-old mare will offered as a broodmare prospect as hip 225 through the Elite consignment.

“Excellent Truth is an exciting supplement to our November Sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “She has excelled at the highest levels in the United States and Europe, and her deep pedigree makes her an attractive broodmare prospect for breeding operations the world over.”

A group winner in France in 2023 and runner-up in the 2024 G1 Prix Rothschild, Excellent Truth was purchased by John Stewart's Resolute Racing for €1.6 million at the 2024 Arqana December sale. Transferred to the barn of trainer Chad Brown, she opened her stateside campaign with a runner-up effort in the Apr. 12 GI Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland and was second again in the GI Just a Game Stakes at Saratoga. She narrowly outbattled multiple Grade I winner She Feels Pretty to win the July 12 GI Diana Stakes.

The post Diana Stakes Winner Excellent Truth Added to Fasig-Tipton November Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Live racing at Aqueduct has been canceled Thursday as a strong storm moves through the New York metropolitan area with forecasted high winds and heavy rain.

Current weather forecasts are calling for wind gusts exceeding 40 mph and up to two inches of rain as a result of Thursday's storm. The National Weather Service has placed Southern Queens under a coastal flood advisory beginning at 1 p.m.

Aqueduct Racetrack will remain open for simulcasting Thursday and live racing is scheduled to resume Friday with a first post time of 1:05 p.m.

The post Aqueduct Cancels Live Racing Thursday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

by Steve Sherack & J.N. Campbell

DEL MAR, Calif. – A stallion share (2% interest) in leading young sire Not This Time brought $3 million from John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa to top the Keeneland Championship Sale held in the Del Mar paddock Wednesday evening.

The share was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Aaron and Marie Jones, as Hip 3. In a unique feature of the offering, the buyer receives all income from Not This Time's 2025 breeding season.

Not This Time is already the sire of nine Grade I winners, including champion 3-year-old colt Epicenter. Not This Time will be very well-represented by nine starters at this weekend's Breeders' Cup. He will command a $250,000 stud fee (S&N) at Taylor Made in 2026.

“He's a young sire, we have mares that will really suit him and we are investing in a prolific horse,” Sikura said. “The draw of (income from the 2025 breeding season) from this year was a major factor, too. There is nothing for sure in this business and you have to have a lot of luck if you're going to do this. It's not like he has to get any better, he just has to maintain what he has accomplished so far, and we think he's capable of doing that.

“Keeneland has done a great job with the hospitality and the setup–it's got a great feel,” Sikura added. “I think it's a sale that will build upon its success every year and could be the boutique sale of the year.”

A 20% interest in 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna–Sataves, by Uncle Mo), now retired to Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa, was also acquired by Sikura's operation for $1 million. The interest was consigned by McPeek Racing Stables, agent for Richard M. Edwards, as Hip 6. Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and GI Kentucky Oaks heroine, an absolute steal by Ken McPeek for $40,000 as a Fasig-Tipton October yearling, was campaigned in partnership by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc., McPeek's Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards and breeder Judy B. Hicks.

“I bought 50% interest in her already, so being a majority owner in a mare like this one is special,” Sikura said. “Mark Edwards, the owner, had a great run with her. He's not a breeder, wanted to sell and that's why I bid. She's a wonderful mare and this increases my position in a really important one. The hope is she will be a significant producer. It's a great head start with a mare who was Horse of the Year, and one of the best fillies in the past 20 years. When they run, they run. She's got a lot of depth in her pedigree.”

Thorpedo Anna | Sarah Andrew

Sikura continued, “She's at the farm, so we increased our interest tonight. You hope to breed the best horses. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. We've had good luck with superior race mares who have become superior producers. Statistically the best race mares generally produce the best horses. It's still a tough business to be in. If you have bad luck that trumps everything.”

McPeek added, “Mark (Edwards) was never one to go for the long ride, and he'd rather put that money back into young horses by trying to emulate the success he's had. Everyone wants a racehorse, but some people don't want to breed horses, which is just different sides of the fence. She's going into the next stage of her career and the next stage of her life cycle. I think John Sikura was very interested in that other share and I think he's going to work to bring some other people in on it. I'll help him do that. He's got a group that he pulled together on the first half. And for me, I've handled Take Charge Lady, Swiss Skydiver, and I can give you a multitude of other Grade I-winning fillies, and I always encourage my clients to keep them. But that is part of this ride we are on and I'll keep going as long as I can. It's not about money at this stage. It's about the experience of creating, breeding, and finding the next great horse.”

Other highlights included: a 25% interest in GI Breeders' Cup Sprint 5-2 morning-line favorite Bentornato (Valiant Minister) (Hip 7), who was a fantastic second for trainer Jose D'Angelo in last year's renewal, brought $1 million from Michael and Jules Iavarone; a stallion share (2.5% interest) in WinStar Farm stallion Life Is Good (Hip 1) brought $1 million from Emerald Edge, agent; and a 25% interest in Breeders' Cup Sprint contender Mullikin (Violence) (Hip 9) brought $700,000 from RB Bloodstock, agent for Storyteller Racing. The latter offering was consigned by WinStar Farm, where Mullikin will stand in 2026.

Keeneland created the Championship Sale last year to be an opportunity for buyers to participate in the highest level while enjoying a festive event in the days before the Breeders' Cup.

“I think we had a proof of concept last year and we proved this year that it really, really works,” Keeneland's Tony Lacy said. “It's great to see everyone here who are people in racing or folks that want to get involved in racing. People were cheering and hugging each other, so the atmosphere was just what we were looking for with this experience. That's really what we are trying to build on. It's a party and let's have fun. Let's make dreams happen. It's not always about trying to make as much money as possible. It's about, how can we jazz this side of the business up a bit more? This is a social business we are in and it's about relationships. It's a social enterprise. Over the years everything has become very transactional and it needs to be fun. It's business, but the fun element was what we were after here.”

The post Stallion Share in Not This Time Brings $3 Million, Tops Keeneland Championship Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Victor Espinoza takes New York-bred Dialed In gelding Whatchatalkinabout through his morning training Wednesday at Del Mar before this week’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Susie Raisher Photo.

By Tom Law

Hanzly Albina ran into Wesley Ward one morning last spring and inquired about a newly turned 4-year-old gelding who was a stakes winner in 2023 yet went fairly under the radar in 2024.

“Hey, how about Whatchatalkinabout,” Albina asked.

“He’s great,” Ward said. “That’s my Breeders’ Cup horse.”

Albina, general manager of the Maurice and Samantha Regan’s Newtown Anner Stud, walked away from the conversation and didn’t quite know what to think.

“Did I hear him right?” he asked himself. “That can’t be what he said. I was like, ‘Really?’ But he was very strong on this horse the entire time. I give him credit. He really believes in the horse.”

Ward’s prediction proved correct, as the New York-bred gelding finds himself as one of the 14 runners in Saturday’s $2 million, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar. The winner of the Grade 3 John A. Nerud in May at Aqueduct comes into the 6-furlong Sprint off a third in the Grade 2 Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland Race Course, behind stablemate and fellow Sprint runner Nakatomi and Durante.

Whatchatalkinabout is 30-1 on the morning line from post 14 in the strong Sprint field that also includes defending champ Straight No Chaser, Grade 1 winner Mullikin, last year’s runner-up Bentornato, Grade 1-winning filly Kopion and others.

Albina, headed to Southern California Thursday to watch Whatchtalkinabout and the Newtown Anner-owned Praying in Saturday’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, looks back at that conversation and finds encouragement in Ward’s bullish statement.

“I was just asking, we’re neighbors and we see each other a lot,” Albina said. “You just ask, but I thought about it again after he was entered (in the Nerud), ‘did I just hear what I thought I heard?’ I paid attention to when the horse was entered in the Sprint. I’m like, ‘this guy, he is building him up to make a run. His goal has been this race the entire time.’ I know he’s run multiple horses, say in the Phoenix and so on and so forth, but he’s been thinking about the Spring for a long time with Whatchatalkinabout. It’s pretty cool.”

Foaled at Newtown Anner’s Jack’s Farm on the Hill in Millbrook and out of the unraced Super Saver mare Super Savvy, Whatchatalkinabout sports a 4-3-2 record in 10 starts with earnings of $388,853. He’s won two of five starts heading into the Sprint – the Nerud and an allowance at Aqueduct – along with a third in the Grade 2 Phoenix Stakes Oct. 3 at Keeneland.

Ward and Ben McIlroy purchased Whatchatalkinabout for $82,000 for owners Ice Wine Stable out of the Black-Albina Thoroughbred Services consignment at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. The then colt had been offered as a short yearling, but not sold on a bid of $38,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale.

“We’re breeding right holders in Dialed In and have been for a long time,” Albina said. “We always like to breed to him and we liked to make them New York-breds. I think they do well enough at the sales. He’s a journeyman stallion, a good utility stallion and if you have a good horse by him no one is surprised.

“Whatchatalkinabout was a really good-looking horse. Those guys made a pretty smart buy. We tried to sell him at an earlier sale, and no one was home, but we liked him enough to bring him back in October. Every now and they we’ll try that. That October sale has become so strong. It has. You don’t really need to go anywhere else. You can do your Saratoga New York-bred horses, your September horses and then wait for October for the rest of them.”

The post Newtown Anner-bred Whatchatalkinabout set for Breeders’ Cup Sprint appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Leinster, who has the fewest named foals among the top 20 freshman sires, is the only one in his sire class with a Breeders' Cup starter. He will be represented by multiple stakes winner Lennilu in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T).

While most American-based horses completed their Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) workouts over the weekend, Yoshito Yahagi saved his final breeze for Japanese star racehorse Forever Young for Oct. 29 at Del Mar.

A huge wave of emotions will pour out if trainer Miguel Clement wins a Breeders' Cup race Nov. 1.

Having won the 2016 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) with 8-year-old Obviously, Anthony Fanticola seeks another signature win with an older gelding as 7-year-old Motorious runs in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint for a third time Nov. 1.

The Santa Anita Park's autumn meet ended Oct. 26 with Juan Hernandez as top jockey, Phil D'Amato claiming the trainer's crown, and Spendthrift Farm winning the owner's title. 

Ten full or half siblings to group 1 winners feature in the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale, held Nov. 24 at Park Paddocks. Headline acts include the brothers to multiple group 1 winners Emily Upjohn and Sea of Class.

The advertised fee for multiple leading sire Tapit will continue at $185,000, while McKinzie's fee has been set at $75,000 pending the results of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

The stakes action on Breeders' Cup Friday gets underway in race 2 with the $200,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes. Later on the undercard, Queen Maxima will face Japanese shipper Puro Magic in the Senator Ken Maddy Stakes Oct. 31 at Del Mar.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said Oct. 29 that Sovereignty, the leading contender for Horse of the Year, will not run in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

Lee Searing often names his horses for sports figures, and he pays tribute the exploits of jockey Braulio Baeza with his Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) contender Baeza.

Porter on Pedigrees