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Iron Orchard stands for trainer Danny Gargan during her bath at Del Mar this week. Breeders’ Cup Photo/Eclipse Sportswire

By Mary Eddy/Breeders’ Cup Notes Team

Grade 1-winning juvenile filly Iron Orchard learned early in life how to stay the course. The daughter of Authentic lost her mother at just four months of age but persevered through tragedy to display that tenacity on the racetrack and put together three flawless starts to begin her career.

Bred by Marty Zaretsky’s Pine Ridge Stables, Iron Orchard is out of the dual stakes-placed Brethren mare Onebrethatatime and was born April 22, 2023. The foaling was routine and uneventful, and about one month later, the filly and Onebrethatatime were sent to Kentucky for the mare to be bred again. The two returned to Pine Ridge shortly thereafter, and that’s when things took a turn for the worse.

“They came back and everything was normal for the most part, but then the mare started getting sick,” said Kenny Toye, farm manager for Pine Ridge Stables. “She kept deteriorating and passed away. You’re dealing with the death of the mare, but you have to focus on what you can save.”

The clock began to tick for the filly, who called out for her mother and would never receive an answer. Toye and his team immediately sprung into action, and contacted Laura Phoenix’s Heavensent Nursemares to find a surrogate for Iron Orchard. Luckily, the farm had a lactating Thoroughbred named Spiteful Love that was ready for a foal, and the two were introduced within 24 hours of Onebrethatatime’s untimely passing.

“It’s a very stressful time for the baby, and the most critical time is when the mare and the baby get introduced,” Toye said. “Their connection was pretty immediate and simple. You think, ‘why would a baby accept a new mom?’ To see that happen is magical, it sticks, and it’s very powerful.”

Iron Orchard flourished with her adoptive mother, and despite concerns that a filly who went through such an ordeal would be behind in her development, she impressed enough as a weanling to sell for $140,000.

“You couldn’t even tell there was any kind of rift,” Toye said. “Around the summertime, consignors will come to look at our breeding stock and we decide who is ready to sell as a weanling and who needs to wait – she was a standout physical. We entered her in the (Keeneland) November sale, knowing that anything can happen and that we would scratch her if we needed to. It never happened, and she kept moving forward every single day.”

Iron Orchard wins stakes debut in the Seeking the Ante at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

The filly would subsequently sell to Bill Childs and Mark Stanton for $500,000 at this year’s OBS April sale of 2-year-olds in training, and was sent to the barn of trainer Danny Gargan to begin her racing career. A winning debut against maiden auction company this summer at Saratoga Race Course led to a successful stakes debut against fellow New York-breds in Saratoga’s Seeking the Ante Stakes, and a triumph at the highest level in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes Oct. 4 at Aqueduct.

With her score in the Frizette, part of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series, Iron Orchard earned her way into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. While Gargan will still be the one to saddle her at Del Mar, a new owner will look to claim the floral blanket after she sold to KatieRich Stables for $2.5 million in a Fasig-Tipton Digital auction in mid-October.

“It’s a miracle to even get them to the next day. So many things can go wrong, and for this filly to make it to the races, period, is a miracle,” Toye said. “When she was in that Grade 1, she pinned her ears when horses passed her, and to see her dig in like that, it gives you chills.”

Now, Iron Orchard is facing her toughest task on the racetrack to date, and is here thanks to her doting adoptive mother and a team surrounding her with equal care and attention on both the farm and the track.

“There’s so many things you can say to describe the feeling, but to know that she came from our efforts as a team gives us a lot of confidence in what we’re doing,” Toye said. “We know how special it is to get there to the Breeders’ Cup, and knowing that she came from the farm and that we had that special time with her, you get emotional.”

The post From Orphan to Grade 1 winner: Iron Orchard puts perfect record on the line at Breeders’ Cup appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

DEL MAR, CA – As Breeders' Cup hopefuls continue their final preparations in the early morning hours for racing on Friday and Saturday, the Del Mar paddock will transform into an auction ring for the second annual Keeneland Championship Sale on Wednesday evening.

Last year, a share in Horse of the Year Flightline (by Tapit) was the headliner when it went for $2.5-million. Once again looking to create a high-energy atmosphere, Keeneland has put together a robust slate of offerings, which include fractional interests in three racehorses currently in-training–two are intended for the Breeders' Cup on Saturday. Stallion shares and breeding rights will take center stage.

 

The catalogue includes:

– A 25% fractional interest in Jose D'Angelo trainee Bentornato (Valiant Minister) (Hip 7), who is considered a leading contender in the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint on Saturday. The 4-year-old Florida-bred ridgling was the runner-up in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Sprint to Straight No Chaser (Speightster) and was last seen winning the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes where he earned a 108 Beyer. The interest is consigned by D'Angelo, agent.

– A 25% interest in GISW & million-dollar earner Mullikin (Violence) (Hip 9), who is also a contender for the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Owned by WinStar Farm, the dark bay ran third in last year's race. The 5-year-old was the first-top level winner for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. Plans are to retire Mullikin after the Breeders' Cup and he will stand the 2026 season at WinStar.

Not This Time | Sarah Andrew

Potentially the most sought after stallion share on offer is a 2% fractional interest, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Aaron & Marie Jones LLC, in the red-hot Not This Time (by Giant's Causeway) (Hip 3). The sire of nine Grade I winners and a stud fee of $250,000, the Taylor Made resident is the #2 'General Sire' this year with more than $19-million in progeny earnings. Keeneland reported that the purchaser will receive all income associated with this share from the 2025 breeding season. Last week, Taylor Made's Travis White spoke with TDN's Bill Finley about the opportunity.

Other stallion shares in the catalogue include a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars' presented by Hagyard in Life Is Good (by Into Mischief) (Hip 1), consigned by Christie DeBernardis, agent, and MGISW Mindframe (Constitution) (Hip 2), consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent. The 4-year-old, who will stand at Claiborne in 2026, will make his final appearance at the racetrack in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday.

Lifetime breeding rights in Constitution (by Tapit) (Hip 4), the property of Randy Gullatt, and Nyquist (Uncle Mo) (Hip 5), consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent, will also be part of the bidding.

Last but not least, a 20% fractional interest in recently retired Horse of the Year and broodmare prospect Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) (Hip 6) is consigned by McPeek Racing Stables, agent for Richard M. Edwards.

“We've designed this as a party with a sale and I think now that we proved ourselves last year, people really understand the concept which is exciting because the goal has always been to combine the social aspect with the importance of the Breeders' Cup,” Vice President of Sales at Keeneland Tony Lacy said. “We have some outstanding offerings. The Not This Time share is really unprecedented and it gives unique access to the stallion. The chance to own a piece of Thorpedo Anna makes this sale diverse and we are looking forward to it.”

Attendance to the Championship Sale is by invitation or request with both buyers and sellers individually invited to attend. Qualified, registered bidders may participate in person at the event, remotely via Keeneland's online auction platform or by phone with a Keeneland representative.

The Championship Sale event will begin at 5 p.m. PT. The sale will begin at 6:30 p.m. PT. Click here to view the online catalogue.

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The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has released a new campaign advocating for passage of a bill that would repeal a wagering tax as part of legislation passed by Congress earlier this year, the NTRA announced Tuesday.

As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed into law July 4, there was a tax change regarding wagering losses–reducing the deduction from 100% to 90%.

In response, Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr has introduced the WAGER Act (Winnings and Gains Expense Restoration Act), new legislation which would restore the deduction back to 100%.

“While there were many victories for our sport in the legislation passed this summer, we noted at the time that work needed to be done to repeal the language that would effectively tax horse players on phantom income. This provision will have a negative impact on our customers who fuel a $36 billion industry responsible for nearly half a million jobs, thousands of small agribusinesses, and millions of acres of open working space,” said Tom Rooney, President and CEO of the NTRA.

Barr, Chairman of the Congressional Horse Caucus, added, “I'm working right alongside NTRA, Breeders' Cup, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, The Jockey Club, and all our Thoroughbred horse racing advocates to reinstate the full deduction for wagering. Estimates say this could reduce track handles by 5-8%. I'm going to keep pushing the WAGER Act to restore this full deduction so that our industry can flourish.”

The post NTRA Advocates For New WAGER Act As Repeal Of Wagering Tax appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Johannes (Nyquist–Cuyathy, by Congrats), the winner of the GI Shoemaker Mile as well as five other graded stakes on the turf, will begin his stallion career at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., following a final start in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile on Nov. 1 at Del Mar, the farm announced Tuesday.

The 5-year-old enters this year's Breeders' Cup with nine wins in 15 starts and earnings in excess of $1.2 million. Of those nine wins, eight wins have come in stakes company, and six were against graded stakes competition.

A nine-length maiden special weight winner sprinting 6 furlongs in 1:08.47 as a 2-year-old at Santa Anita Park, Johannes then kicked off his sophomore campaign with dominant victories in the Baffle Stakes and the Pasadena Stakes, also at Santa Anita.

Johannes, a homebred for Joe and Debby McCloskey, started his four-year-old season with a breakthrough graded victory in the GIII American Stakes at Santa Anita Park, running the mile in 1:32.08. From there, he posted Beyer Speed Figures of 100 or greater in six of his next seven starts, beginning with a victory in the GI Shoemaker Mile, his first Grade I effort.

Johannes would go on to win five of six starts that year, adding the GII Eddie Read Stakes, GII City of Hope Mile Stakes, and GII San Gabriel Stakes. His only defeat that season came in the Breeders' Cup Mile, where he was by three-quarters of a length, tying a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 103.

Johannes comes into this year's Breeders' Cup Mile having once again secured a “Win and You're In” berth by virtue of his victory in the City of Hope Mile with a 100 Beyer. He has won races at six furlongs in 1:08.47, 6 ½ furlongs in 1:13.07, one mile in 1:32.08, and 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.50.

“When I think of Johannes, instant acceleration comes to mind,” said Tim Yakteen, who trains for the McCloskeys. “He is a superior miler that has sprint speed as well as a wicked finishing kick. He moves like a cat and has a fantastic disposition around the barn. He's a trainer's dream.”

The Kentucky-bred Johannes is the first foal out of the stakes-placed Congrats mare Cuyathy, who has produced four winners from four foals to race. The McCloskeys bought Cuyathy, their first horse, for $50,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. “Johannes has given us the journey of a lifetime,” said Joe McCloskey. “He possesses the heart and determination that is rare, and we were so blessed to have watched him grow into a phenomenal racehorse. We will miss seeing him in training, but we can't wait to see how beautiful and fast his babies will be.”

Cuyathy's produce also includes the multiple stakes winner Sea Dancer (Mastery) and stakes-placed Sea Runner (Gun Runner), as well as Soaring Angel (Knicks Go), who broke her maiden on debut at Del Mar in July. Cuyathy is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes-placed Join in the Dance, as well as the dam of Grade II winner Elm Drive and stakes winner Mother of Dragons.

“Johannes is a very talented horse that has been on our radar for a while now,” said Claiborne's President Walker Hancock. “His father Nyquist has proven to be an elite sire, but he doesn't have a son standing in Kentucky yet, which makes Johannes that much more appealing. He is a beautifully made horse with a strong pedigree.  His dam is by Congrats, his second dam is by Devil's Bag and his third dam is by Danzig, so he has Claiborne genetics all throughout his page. The McCloskeys are wonderful people that operate in an old school breed-to-race way that resonates with us. It's a great fit and we couldn't be more excited to debut Johannes alongside Mindframe. I think breeders are going to love what these two new studs have to offer.”

The post Grade I Winner Johannes to Stand at Claiborne Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Godolphin's GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), looking to cap an historic sophomore campaign, drew post six and was promptly installed the 6-5 favorite for Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.

“No complaints about that,” trainer Bill Mott told Brittney Eurton at the post position draw held Monday afternoon in the Del Mar paddock. “There is some speed inside and it gives him a good opportunity to see what is unfolding in the race.”

Since his win in the Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty has added victories in the GI Belmont Stakes, GII Jim Dandy Stakes and GI Travers Stakes, looking more dominant with each start.

“It's all been positive,” Mott said of the colt's progression. “I think he's gone the right way mentally, and physically he is stronger. His races have gotten faster as the year has gone on. He will need to improve a little bit to get the job done here.”

One of the strongest Classics in recent memory also includes last year's defending champion Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who will break from post seven and is 8-1 on the morning line, as well as last year's runner-up Fierceness (City of Light), who drew post one and is 4-1 on the morning line, and third-place finisher Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), who drew post five and is 6-1 on the morning line.

In addition to Sovereignty, the sophomore class is also represented in the Classic by GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin), who drew post nine and is 10-1 on the morning line, and GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Baeza (McKinzie), who drew post two and is 15-1 on the morning line.

“It's a very competitive field,” said Mott. “I think it's a great race. You have the 3-year-olds against the older horses. There are arguably the three top 3-year-olds that have been around all year, and they are taking on the first three finishers of the Breeders' Cup from last year. So it's going to be a great race.”

Before Monday's draw, trainer Todd Pletcher he admitted he was hoping for anything but the rail for Fierceness, who ducked in from his inside draw before going on to win the GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August.

“The difference now is that Johnny [Velazquez] knows that he made that mistake in the last start in the Pacific Classic here, so he will hopefully be ready if he were to think about doing it again,” Pletcher said after Fierceness drew the one hole once again Monday. “I think it was just his first time and he did what a lot of horses do, kind of moved towards the open space. Fortunately, he was good enough to overcome it.”

Of the depth of this year's Classic field, Pletcher added, “It doesn't get better than this. It's a super field. Everyone has been looking forward to it. Hopefully, everyone shows up healthy and ready to go.”

The complete Classic field, in post position order with morning-line odds, is: Fierceness (City of Light), 4-1; Baeza (McKinzie), 15-1; Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach), 20-1; Contrary Thinking (Into Mischief), 50-1; Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), 6-1; Sovereignty (Into Mischief), 6-5; Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), 8-1; Mindframe (Constitution), 10-1; Journalism (Curlin), 10-1; and Antiquarian (Preservationist), 15-1.

Looking for a Three-peat in the Turf

Godolphin's Rebel Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will look to become just the third horse to win three Breeders' Cup races when he attempts a three-peat in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Saturday. The 7-year-old gelding breaks from the rail in a field of 14 and is 5-2 on the morning line, but he will face a strong challenge from 8-5 morning-line favorite Minnie Hauk (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who was a narrowly beaten second in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Oct. 5. The 3-year-old filly will break from post eight.

Rebel's Romance | Sarah Andrew

Seismic Beauty (Uncle Mo), most recently winner of the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, is the 9-5 favorite while facing 12 rivals in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. She drew post eight Monday. From the East Coast, Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) will look to make amends for her narrow defeat in the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes while breaking from the rail as a 4-1 shot on the morning line.

Breeders' Cup Winners Galore in Dirt Mile

Of the 10 horses entered in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, three have already won a championship race. White Abarrio (Race Day), who won the Classic in 2023, will look to become the second horse (following Knicks Go), to record the Classic/Mile double when he breaks from post 10 in the 10-horse field. Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) breaks from post seven and defending Dirt Mile winner Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast) breaks from post six.

The Dirt Mile field also includes last year's GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents), who breaks from post four.

Another 2024 winner looking to defend his Breeders' Cup title Saturday is Sprint winner Straight No Chaser (Speightster), who faces 13 rivals and breaks from post 12.

Hometown favorites line up next to each other in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, with Johannes (Nyquist), second in the race last year, breaking from post seven, and Formidable Man (City of Light) breaking from post eight.

Future Stars Friday Fields

In the five Breeders' Cup races that make up Future Stars Friday, trainer Aidan O'Brien has a pair of morning-line favorites who both drew the outside in their respective races. Precise (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) drew post 13 in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and stablemate Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) drew post 14 in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. O'Brien will also saddle likely GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint favorite True Love (Ire) (No Nay Never), who drew post nine of 12.

Ted Noffey | Sarah Andrew

In a match-up of East meets West, Spendthrift Farm's Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) drew the outside post eight for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, while Zedan Racing Stables' Brant (Gun Runner), a $3-million OBS March purchase, will break just to his inside in post seven. Both colts were tabbed 'TDN Rising Stars presented by Hagyard' following impressive debut victories and both are undefeated.

In what could be a big weekend for Spendthrift Farm, the operation will also be represented by GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies hopeful Tommy Jo (Into Mischief), who drew post five of nine Monday; and by Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), who drew post four in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

The post Sovereignty Draws Post 6, Made 6-5 Favorite, in Breeders’ Cup Classic for the Ages appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fields were drawn for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup in the Del Mar paddock Monday. Breeders’ Cup Photo/Eclipse Sportswire

The New York breeding program will be represented by three runners on this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup World Championship program at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

Post positions for the 14-race Breeders’ Cup card were drawn Monday at Del Mar and Rhetorical, Whatchatalkinabout and Iron Orchard were slotted into their respective fields.

Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable and Wachtel Stable’s Rhetorical drew post 11 for the $2 million, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile. Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride the 4-year-old son of Not This Time in the near full field of 13 for trainer Will Walden.

Bred by Mallory and Karen Mort and foaled at Gallagher’s Stud in Ghent, Rhetorical earned an automatic berth in the Mile as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge winner in the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile Oct. 4 at Keeneland Race Course. Out of the Distorted Humor mare Sheet Humor, Rhetorical is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner and 2022 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint competitor Sterling Silver.

Rhetorical brings a 5-for-6 record, including the Coolmore Turf Mile and West Point Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, with earnings of $824,700 in to the Mile. He’s the 5-1 second choice on the morning line behind 5-2 favorite Notable Speech.

The Mile goes as the 10th race on the Championship Saturday card with post time of 7:05 p.m. ET.

Ice Wine Stable’s Whatchatalkinabout drew the extreme outside post 14 for Saturday’s $2 million, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Trained by Wesley Ward, the 4-year-old Grade 3-winning Dialed In gelding will be ridden by Emisael Jaramillo in the 6-furlong Sprint. He’s 30-1 on the morning line.

Bred by Newtown Anner Stud, foaled at 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 this year – the Grade 3 John A. Nerud and an allowance at Aqueduct – along with a third in the Grade 2 Phoenix Stakes Oct. 3 at Keeneland.

The Sprint goes as the sixth race Saturday at 4:21 p.m. ET.

Iron Orchard, recently purchased out of a Fasig-Tipton digital flash sale for $2.5 million by KatieRich Stables, drew post one for the $2 million, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Trained by Danny Gargan, the 2-year-old daughter of Authentic will be ridden by Joel Rosario on the field of nine. She’s the 6-1 fifth choice on the early line.

Bred by Pine Ridge Stable and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Iron Orchard brings a 3-for-3 record to the Juvenile Fillies after victories over state-breds in a 5 ½-furlong maiden and the 6-furlong Seeking the Ante Stakes at Saratoga Race Course before a nose victory in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Aqueduct.

The 1 1/16-mile Juvenile Fillies goes as the seventh race on the Future Stars Friday card at 6:25 p.m. ET.

The post Rhetorical, Whatchatalkinabout, Iron Orchard set for Breeders’ Cup appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

The first of six opportunities to bet on the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) opens Oct. 29 through Oct. 31 with Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, headlined by likely Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) favorite Ted Noffey.

Stakes-winning mares Dorth Vader, Free Like a Girl, and Sacred Wish will head to Fasig-Tipton's November Sale Nov. 3 with a twist: a portion of the proceeds from each sale will benefit a charity, Matt Bowling of Vinery Sales announced Oct. 27.

It didn't take the whole mile, but Warming needed about three-quarters of a mile to heat up and find her stride to win the $100,000 Autumn Miss Stakes Oct. 26 at Santa Anita Park. 

Thorpedo Anna made her final racetrack appearance Oct. 26, parading for fans at Churchill Downs before retiring to begin her broodmare career at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa.

After succeeding with successful claim Johnny Podres, a son of Grazen, owner/trainer Librado Barocio has done even better with Breeders' Cup Sprint hopeful Lovesick Blues.

Fifteen horses put in their final serious moves Oct. 26 ahead of the Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar, including Preakness (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Journalism, who breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01 2/5.

Emulating the same move that carried Sovereignty to victory in last year's Street Sense Stakes (G3), Pin Oak Stud's Incredibolt placed himself on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail Oct. 26 at Churchill Downs.

Pierre Bonnard (IRE) completed a group 1 double for Aidan O'Brien with a determined victory in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1) under Christophe Soumillon Oct. 26.

Attica capped a golden day for Godolphin colts and his departed stallion, Lonhro, while stamping himself a stud-bound star of the future with a breathtaking victory in the Oct. 25 Spring Champion Stakes (G1) at Randwick Racecourse.

Churchill Downs' late Vice President of Communications John Asher, who died unexpectedly in 2018 at age 62, will be honored by the city of Louisville Oct. 27 with a "Hometown Hero" banner that will be displayed in front of Presentation Academy.

Between travelers en route and those already on grounds, Distaff contenders put in their final preps in advance of the World Championships this weekend and connections provide their thoughts on how their charges are doing.

Multiple Grade I winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) was out on track Monday morning at Del Mar to work four furlongs in :49.80 (5/5) with Neil Poznansky up for the ride. According to his connections, it was all by design and all systems are go.

“He went easy. He had an extended gallop and then he just stretched his legs a little down the lane,” said Poznansky. “It felt like an open gallop. Before he has wanted to go off a little aggressive and then he will go and spit the bit and go about his way.”

“Today he was very even and [drug] me along and when he turned for home, he actually grabbed the bit again. He is very smart.”

“I don't like to use the word maintenance work because everyone uses that so I am not going to use that,” said Mott. “We know the horse is talented, and we just want to keep him fit and let him do enough where he is happy and let him stretch his lungs out a little bit and have him ready for Saturday.”

“I liked what I saw today. We'll see if we take him out tomorrow [Tuesday morning]. We don't want to get him too high. Sometimes, just getting him out there and moving around a little is good…same as any athlete, I guess.”

One of Japan's top hopefuls for Breeders' Cup Classic glory, Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) cantered one lap around the track Monday and schooled in the paddock. He will breeze Wednesday, Oct. 29 with rider Ryusei Sakai in the saddle.

“I flew into L.A. last night, and it is the first time on him since his final domestic gallop,” said Sakai. “I got a great feeling, and he is definitely in good shape. I will ride his breeze on Wednesday.”

The Ladies Take California Ahead of World Championships

Of the Distaff workers, Argentinian Group 1-winner Sarawak Rim (Arg) (Remote {GB}) posted her first breeze at Del Mar since arriving from Keeneland, and clocked four furlongs in :48.80 (4/5) with Geovanny Vences in the saddle for trainer Ignacio Correas. The filly joined the conditioner's barn in July and has only impressed since then.

“Oh yes. [The work] was a beauty; perfectly done,” said Correas. “I don't know about anybody else, but it looked great to me.”

In the Bill Mott barn, MGSW & MGISP Scylla (Tapit) breezed four panels in :46.60 (1/5) with blinkers on with Neil Poznansky in the irons. Despite the time, Mott said he was quite pleased with the move.

“People might worry it's too fast for her,” he said. “It is fast, but she can do that. Neil thought she was doing it within herself. She was carrying him along; he didn't ask her. He said he took another hold on her as she turned for home. If she had gone 49, I would have been pleased.”

“We had the blinkers on her today, and I think she had her game face on when she went to the track. A lot of times galloping, she will mess with us a little bit, but she knows when it's workday. She has put in works like that before so it's not totally unusual. With her, it's a sign she is doing good.”

Team Japan reports that Alice Verite (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) will breeze Wednesday, Oct. 29 with her jockey Kyle Frey in the irons. She spent Monday hand walking in the parade ring.

The post Breeders’ Cup Notes: Sovereignty Ready for Classic, Distaff Contenders Put in Final Preps at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 12th running of the Bing Crosby Season at Del Mar will kick off Thursday, Oct. 30 and run through Sunday, Nov. 30 with opening weekend featuring the Breeders' Cup World Championships, the track announced Monday.

The 16-day program will host 20 stakes races worth more than $3-million in purses. In addition to the two-day Breeders' Cup event worth more than $34-million across 14 Grade I stakes, the seaside oval will also contest six of the 20 black-type races in the first three days of the meeting–one on Thursday, four on Friday as part of the undercard, and one on Saturday. The 2024 edition of the World Championships held 'Where the Turf Meets the Surf' set a new global wagering record of $203.7-million.

After opening weekend, the Del Mar season will conclude with the return of the FanDuel Racing Turf Festival featuring seven turf stakes–six of them graded–worth $1.3-million in purses on closing weekend Nov. 28-30. Barring this coming weekend, all Fridays will offer seniors free admission, free program and a free seat, while Sundays are “Free & Fun Sundays,” offering all Diamond Club members free admission, free program and a free seat, alongside half-off Michelob ULTRA, Brandt Beef hot dogs and sodas at concession stands.

“Having the Breeders' Cup return to Del Mar is an honor we don't take lightly,” said David Jerkens, senior vice president of racing. “Kicking off our fall season with the World Championships is a tremendous way to begin, and we look forward to carrying that momentum through the FanDuel Racing Turf Festival on Closing Weekend.”

The remaining four weeks will offer eight-race cards on all weekdays and nine-race cards on all weekends. First post on all racing days will be 12:30 p.m. A list of special events held throughout Bing Crosby Season can be found here.

The post Bing Crosby Season at Del Mar Kicks Off Thursday, Features Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

David Duggan, the former Chief Operating Officer of Golden Gate Fields, has been appointed Executive Vice President, 1/ST RACING, according to 1/ST. Duggan has assumed day-to-day responsibility for the leadership of Gulfstream Park's racing operations and management.

According to the company, Billy Badgett has shifted his focus away from day-to-day operations and management toward shaping the strategic future of Florida racing as Executive Director of Florida Operations for 1/ST.

“I'm very excited and very thankful to Aidan Butler and the company for giving me this opportunity,” said Duggan. “It's a bit like taking over the Los Angeles Dodgers from Tommy Lasorda, because Billy Badgett has put together the most incredible team. They really are amazing–obviously, (Vice President of Administration) Sheri Holmes, who has been there for a long time, and we've got a great commentator in Pete Aiello. Overall, they're an extememely strong team who will make things a lot easier for me, and I will have Billy Badgett to call upon when I begin to run aground, should the case arise. It would be pretty hard to mess it up. It's a broad spectrum–a great blend of youth and experience. The racing office led by the two Mikes, Costanzo and Lakow, have a really good grasp of everything, and that makes my job a lot easier.”

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Justify was off to a fast start at stud, leading in several black-type categories as well as in winners and wins with his first crop of runners. But it was in year two when the cream really started to rise to the top. That year, in 2023, he sired two Breeders' Cup winners, Hard to Justify in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Just F Y I in the Juvenile Fillies. The latter brings a talented resume and a special pedigree to this year's Fasig-Tipton November sale when she sells as hip 109 on Monday, Nov. 3.

“We've been blessed to sell some tremendous offerings and her resume really ranks right up there with some of the best horses that have walked through this sales ring,” said Fasig-Tipton President and CEO Boyd Browning. “She is by Justify, who is off to an amazing start as a stallion. Her accomplishments as a two-year-old resulted in her being the champion two-year-old filly, she won the Breeders' Cup very impressively, was just dominant in her two-year-old campaign, and it's really rare to have an opportunity to sell a filly like this.”

“She was the first Justify that I had in the barn and it didn't take long to start to like her,” said her trainer, Bill Mott. “She was a big, tall, rangy filly. She stood with a lot of leg underneath her. She had a lot of scope, however, she was well-balanced. She looked like a horse that would probably be better as a three-year-old-jst her body type and the way she was made. But she came around very early. You know, you wouldn't have looked at her in the very beginning and think that she was going to break her maiden at six-and-a-half furlongs and be as early as she was. But she came right around. It didn't take long to get her to the races.”

Just F Y I made her first start at Saratoga, winning a six-and-a-half furlong maiden by a head. Mott was impressed enough to wheel her right back in the GI Frizette Stakes on Oct. 7, which she won by 3 3/4 lengths.

Justify's Daughter Ready to Light Up Night of the Stars">Justify, and she's in foal to Into Mischief," says Fasig's Boyd Browning. "The opportunity to buy a young champion mare in foal to the leading sire in America doesn't come along very often."">

“She was good enough and quick enough to win at a sprint distance, breaking her maiden,” said Mott. “But the flat mile in the Frizette and the two-turn mile-and-a sixteenth in the Breeders' Cup was right up her alley. I mean that was her. She had enough speed to win a one-turn race and had enough durability to win a two-turn race.”

Her owner, George Krikorian, had reason to be proud on Breeders' Cup Day, having bred the filly from his own multiple-stakes-placed Star Act (Street Cry {Ire}), a daughter of multiple Grade I winner Starrer (Dynaformer), herself a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Stellar Jayne, from a family studded with black type.

“It all starts with Starrer,” said Krikorian, “who is a multiple Grade I winner. She's the first stakes horse that I ever purchased, and she was found by Donato Lanni, and she was the first stakes horse he ever found for anybody. So that was pretty special. I have probably raced horses 20 times in the Breeders' Cup and it's the first time we won. It's pretty special.”

Said Browning, “You know, I think one of the cool things about Just F Y I is how George has helped develop the family. Her second Dam is Starrer, a Grade I winner that George raced very, very successfully. She's obviously been successful as a broodmare also, producing the dam of Just F Y I who was a stakes performer herself. So it's neat to see somebody who's been involved in the business for many, many years who tries to breed and race at the highest level and achieve success, and George has certainly done that with Starrer and now with Just F Y I.”

John Sikura will offer the champion filly through his Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consignment.

“Just F Y I, that's a pedigree that George Krikorian has cultivated for more than 20, 25 years,” he said. “He's had great success to breed a Breeders' Cup-winning champion from his own pedigrees. One that you've developed is enormously satisfying. She was undefeated, she's a millionaire, she won the Frizette, she won the Breeders' Cup. She has a classic page; she is by a Triple Crown winner in Justify, and she's in foal to America's leading sire Into Mischief. She's so unique; she has all the qualities, all the attributes that someone would look for in a very special, classic broodmare-big, long, pretty, stands over ground, really, really has it all. She's just a complete, impeccable package.”

Sikura stressed the depth of her page. “At every dam, you have Grade I-winning champions,” he said. “Very few pedigrees seem to reproduce at the highest level of every generation. This is certainly a unique and special pedigree, and as evidenced by the performance of Just F Y I and all of Starrer's esteemed siblings.”

At three, Just F Y I was second in both the GI Ashland and GI Kentucky Oaks. Given a break for the summer and fall, she returned at four this year, but was retired when felled by a fever in the spring, and bred to Into Mischief.

Sums up Browning, “She's four years old. She's a champion. She's by Justify. She's in foal to Into Mischief. You're talking about the perfect opportunity for a leading buyer or breeder who wants to have an addition to their broodmare band at the very highest level or if you want to start a top-level broodmare band, she's the perfect type. The opportunity to buy a young, champion mare in foal to Into Mischief doesn't come along very often.”

Sikura agrees. “Some horses are just born with extraordinary talent,” he said. “The first time she ran, she won, and she got better each start, and to win the Breeders' Cup in her third start, coming off a Grade I win at Belmont, that's very impressive. She's an undefeated two-year-old, hugely accomplished champion. Shortly and succinctly, you could say she was perfection then, and certainly a wonderful, wonderful race filly.”

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