The $100,000 maiden special weight event at Saratoga Race Course provided an unusual situation in which Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher had to wait in the winner's circle to see which of his runners–Teleport or Scope (Gun Runner)–who bumped twice in the stretch, would come away with the victory. Scope and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez reached the wire first, a length in front of Teleport, but after a lengthy review, the stewards disqualified Scope and placed him second.

In a distinguished career with 26,246 starters, Pletcher found himself in what he figured was a first-time situation of being a winner even if he was a loser.

“If I have, I don't remember,” he said.

Though scheduled to start at 4:06 p.m. the 1 1/16 miles turf race was delayed to 4:12 because Stone Farm's Expressway (Hard Spun) flipped in the gate and was scratched.

While being pressed closely by Dynadee (Mo Town), Teleport and leading jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. led through early fractions of :25.66, :51.61 and 1:16.62. They looked like they might secure a gate-to-wire triumph when a bumping incident with Scope occurred between the eighth and sixteenth poles. It started when Teleport came out a bit and made contact with Scope when they were running shoulder to shoulder. The contact pushed Scope out, but a few strides later he came back in and bumped Teleport while Velazquez was striking him with the crop righthanded. Scope continued on and finished first by a length.

A steward's inquiry and a claim of foul by Ortiz led to an extended review by the three judges, who decided on the DQ.

Teleport | Sarah Andrew

Teleport was bred by Newtown Anner Stud who stayed in as a partner when Repole Stable purchased the colt for $403,407 at the 2024 Tattersalls October sale.

Bloodstock agent Alex Solis selected Teleport for Repole and said four factors played into the decision to recommend him: “Great physical, very good mover, good looking and we love the stallion.”

Teleport is Pletcher's ninth winner in the top-level maiden special weight races at Saratoga this summer. He is the sixth of the nine winners that were first-time starters

“He's a horse that has trained, really well for us,” Pletcher said. “He's done all of his training on the dirt, but he's an all-turf pedigree. It seemed like a logical place to get started.”

Ortiz seized control of the race with his horse on the lead and dictated the pace.

Todd Pletcher in the winner's circle | Sarah Andrew

“It was kind of a peculiar-run race, very slow early,” Pletcher said. “I think he was a little bit green by himself. And then obviously some baby stuff going on down the lane. I was happy with the performance of both colts. You hate to have one disqualified, but sometimes that's the way it goes.”

Scope, co-owned by Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Bridlewood Farm and Robert LaPenta was purchased for $400,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale.

A big rangy colt,” Pletcher said. “He's been training okay on the dirt. We felt like the main thing for him was he needed distance. I thought he kicked in really well, showed a nice turn of foot for a big horse.”

Two races after Teleport's victory, Pletcher won the listed Bolton Landing with Snow Face Princess (Midshipman), one of his maiden victors. Pletcher has 20 wins through 28 days of the 40-day season.

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The heavy favorite established her lead up the backstretch and tacked around the far turn like she had even pulled out her pocket handkerchiefs. With rider Juan Hernandez playing the role of bosun, Explora went easy en route to win by a comfortable 4 3/4 lengths over Revera (Lexitonian).

The winner is her dam's last registered foal of record. Out of MGISP Model (Giant's Causeway), Collections Choice (Bernardini) was sent to Korea in 2024. Explora's extended female family includes Irish Group 1 winner Preseli (Ire) (Caerleon).

Blame's most recent 'TDN Rising Stars' were Mucho in 2018 and Nadal in 2020.

2nd-Del Mar, $80,000, Msw, 8-17, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:03.15, ft, 4 3/4 lengths.
EXPLORA, f, 2, Blame
                1st Dam: Collections Choice, by Bernardini
                2nd Dam: Model, by Giant's Causeway
                3rd Dam: Snowfire (GB), by Machiavellian
Sales History: $22,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '25 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $48,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman; B-Mesingw Farm, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert.

#3 EXPLORA ($2.40) was an easy winner of the 2nd race at @DelMarRacing. The juvenile filly by @ClaiborneFarm's Blame was piloted by @JJHernandezS19 for trainer Bob Baffert. pic.twitter.com/1E5TrAbmiH

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 17, 2025

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Silent Rule, who sold for $16,000 as a Keeneland yearling, didn't start racing until Aug. 10 last year, in the second half of her 3-year-old season. But she has now bankrolled $355,456 in purse earnings, more than 22 times her auction price.

John Hoctel, a Florida realtor, owns Silent Rule. A Horse Racing Nation profile by Ron Flatter last month explained how Hoctel acquired Silent Rule for free prior to her racing career after the previous owner “decided to move on” when it seemed as if setbacks might keep Silent Rule from racing. Initially, Hoctel had planned on rehabbing and selling her himself, but encouraging workouts under the Mountaineer-based Bernardini's care convinced him to race her.

Silent Rule won her Aug. 10. 2024, debut at Thistledown against Ohio-breds by 11 1/2 lengths, and has visited the winner's circle every race since.

She's primarily roughed up state-bred competition against her own sex, but Silent Rule did also win two allowance races against open competition at Mahoning Valley last winter.

Another state-bred allowance score in the Mahoning mud on Apr. 7 earned Silent Rule a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure.

The filly has since regressed to the mean, numbers-wise (79, 84,83) while continuing her winning ways. But her Aug. 14 victory in the Honey Jay came against males and was punctuated by a nice turn of tactics compared to her usual near-the-lead efforts.

Silent Rule stalked from mid-pack, then swung six wide for the drive before seizing the lead a furlong out.

Nine of her victories have come at six furlongs, with the lone outlier win at 1 1/16 miles. Bernardini told Daily Racing Form a stretch-out attempt could be in her near future.

Slayer of faves…

Surface to Air (Midshipman), who was claimed for $30,000 out of a winning Keeneland maiden race last year, has now done something unique while winning two Grade III Monmouth Park stakes in succession this summer: The Panagiotis Synnefias trainee has consecutively beaten heavily bet, odds-on shippers from the nationally prominent Brad Cox barn.

The 5-year-old, owned by Premier Stable, orchestrated a 19-1 upset of the 1-10 favorite Just a Touch (Justify) in the July 19 Monmouth Cup on the GI Haskell Stakes undercard.

Four weeks later, the 7-2 Surface to Air outlasted the 1-5 favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense) in Saturday's GIII Philip H. Iselin Stakes.

Surface to Air has now compiled a lifetime record of 6-1-3 with earnings of $682,054 from 22 starts.

Multi-surface stakes success…

The victory by Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) in Saturday's GI Alabama Stakes at Saratoga completed a unique trifecta of sorts for fillies exiting last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Participants in that stakes have since come back at age three to win Grade I or Group 1 stakes at a trio of different distances and surfaces.

Nitrogen wins Saturday's Alabama | Sarah Andrew

The winner of the Juvenile Fillies Turf, 'TDN Rising Star' Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), captured the May 25 G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas over one mile on grass at The Curragh.

Kilwin (Twirling Candy), fifth in the Breeders' Cup, won the GI Test Stakes over seven furlongs on dirt at Saratoga.

Nitrogen, third in the Juvenile Fillies Turf at 49-1 odds, registered her 10-furlong Grade I dirt win Saturday after having won three graded grass stakes earlier in the season, romping by 17 lengths in an off-the-turf graded stakes in the slop, and then getting nosed out of a nine-furlong score in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational on the Saratoga lawn July 5.

There was almost a fourth Grade I winner out of that key Breeders' Cup race on Saturday.

But Thought Process (Collected)–ninth in the Juvenile Fillies Turf–ended up being the beaten favorite at 11-10 odds when second, 1 1/4 lengths behind a 35-1 victress, in the GI Del Mar Oaks.

Five in Travers…

Only five horses were entered Sunday for next Saturday's GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga, and the days leading up to this year's “Midsummer Derby” are likely to be dominated by talk of how short the field is.

The powerful presence of GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) is partially to blame for scaring off a robust and deep field of competition.

Previous editions of the Travers in the 2020s decade have featured seven or eight starters. But as recently as the 2010s decade, double-digit entrants were the norm, with every Travers between 2014 and 2019 luring at least 10 starters, including 13 in 2016.

Can you name the last time the Travers went with only five starters?

You have to go all the way back to 1994, when Holy Bull prevailed by a neck at 4-5 odds over Concern, with the remaining three stragglers at least 17 lengths in the wake of the top two.

The 1982 edition also featured a field of five. The 12-1 Runaway Groom, who trailed the field by 15 lengths in the early stages, scored by three-quarters of a length over Aloma's Ruler. The pacemaker Conquistador Cielo, favored at 1-5, was another half-length back in third.

In 1975, Wajima prevailed at 4-5 odds by 10 1/2 lengths in another five-horse Travers.

As a side note, 1975 was the first year in which all Travers entrants carried equal weights of 126 pounds. It had formerly been conducted under allowance conditions, with earnings deciding the weights.

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The eye-catching blaze-faced filly came into this race with a fourth-place effort on debut May 23 at the Belmont Big A meet, and a two-length graduation last out July 30 over this course when she tried turf for the first time.

Off as a 6-1 shot here, Snow Face Princess broke inwardly but recovered well to chase the leading flight from fourth as Cy Fair and My Sweetheart (Flameaway) vied for the lead through an opening sectional in :22.31. The 3-5 favorite took control around the far turn, but Snow Face Princess was the looming danger as they swung into the lane. Closing the gap relentlessly, she produced a late burst of speed that carried her over the top. She nailed the 'Rising Star' in the final jumps to win by a neck and earn her first black-type.

“We felt like she was doing really well, she looked awesome, and her condition looked great–her coat is awesome, looked really good,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “So you know, you are just stepping up in class against some really fast fillies and the one thing we thought we had going for us is that she could sit a nice stalking trip and Flavien [Prat] worked out a really good trip.”

When asked about a potential start in the GIII Matron Stakes Oct. 2 at the Belmont Big A meet, Pletcher said, “That's a good possibility, I would say. I have to look at the whole calendar and see what's all out there. Keep all of our options open.”

SNOW FACE PRINCESS wins the Bolton Landing Stakes at 6-1 under Flavien Prat for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/PgcFESGEGM

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 17, 2025

The victress is the second successful offspring from as many to the races for Crusin Alone. She has a yearling half-sister by Classic Empire and a 2025 half-sister by Mystic Guide. Their dam, herself a half-sibling to GSW Wilburn (Bernardini) and GSW Beethoven (Sky Mesa), went to Cody's Wish for 2026.

Not alone as a black-type producer in the family, Crusin Alone's half-sisters include Venetian Sonata (Bernardini)–dam of GSW Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) and graded placed runners Olive Branch (Speightstown) and Flynn's Chance (Medaglia d'Oro); and A.P. Sonata (A.P. Indy), whose claim to fame is through her son, MGSW & GISP Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro). A third sister is the dam of SW Blue Light (City of Light) and GSW Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). This is the immediate female family of champion 3-year-old filly MGISW Abel Tasman (Quality Road). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

BOLTON LANDING S., $145,500, Saratoga, 8-17, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.61, fm.
1–SNOW FACE PRINCESS, 122, f, 2, by Midshipman
                1st Dam: Crusin Alone, by Honor Code
                2nd Dam: Moonlight Sonata, by Carson City
                3rd Dam: Wheatly Way, by Wheatly Hall
($110,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Gary F. Lewin; B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust, Chris & Julie Tackett (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Flavien Prat. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $142,600.
2–Cy Fair, 122, f, 2, Not This Time–Remarqued, by Arch. ($185,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Medallion Racing, Swinbank Stables LLC, Joey Platts and Mark Stanton; B-Marc Keller (KY); T-George Weaver. $30,000.
3–My Sweetheart, 122, f, 2, Flameaway–My Darling, by Curlin. O/B-Debby M. Oxley (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $18,000.
Margins: NK, 2, 1. Odds: 6.70, 0.60, 2.85.
Also Ran: Sacred Goddess, Bramble Blast. Scratched: Gerrards Cross, Sapphire Beach (Ire), Should've.

The post Snow Face Princess Runs Down ‘TDN Rising Star’ Cy Fair In The Bolton Landing At The Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

That is because the best 3-year-old in the country, Sovereignty (Into Mischief) is running.

Only four others will challenge Godolphin's Sovereignty, who is trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado.

The last time only five horses were entered for the Travers was in 1994 when Holy Bull (Great Above) won.

The smallest field in Travers history was two horses and that happened four times, the last in 1921.

Sovereignty drew post position four and was made the 2-5 morning-line favorite by David Aragona, the oddsmaker for the New York Racing Association.

“We're not taking anything for granted,” Mott said.

Sovereignty has won four of five starts this year, the last two at Saratoga. On July 26, he won the GII Jim Dandy Stakes by a length over Baeza (McKinzie). Before that, he took two legs of the Triple Crown, the GI Belmont Stakes and GI Kentucky Derby. In both those races, he defeated Journalism (Curlin), who was favored in each one.

The connections of Baeza and Journalism have opted to skip the Travers and stay in their home bases in California.

Second choice in the morning line goes to 2-1 Magnitude (Not This Time), who missed the Triple Crown races because of an ankle chip. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC's Magnitude won his first start since February when he romped to a 9 1/4-length win in the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows on July 5.

Before that, he had won the GII Risen Star, like the Iowa Derby, in front-running fashion. He took it by 9 3/4 lengths at odds of 43-1.

“That is a horse that is very interesting,” Mott said. “He won the Risen Star easily and then came back off a long layoff and ran equally as well. There are a couple horses (in the Travers) that look like they've got good, reasonable, honest type speed if they want to use it.”

BBN Racing's Bracket Buster (Vekoma), trained by Vicki Oliver, could also show speed in the Travers. He finished fourth in his last start, the GI Haskell Stakes; earlier this year he was second in the GIII Lexington.

Trainer Chad Brown will run Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables' Strategic Focus (Gun Runner), who was third in the Curlin Stakes as the 3-5 favorite in his last start. Before that, the 'TDN Rising Star' won his first two starts.

The Rick Dutrow, Jr.-trained McAfee (Cloud Computing) was last seen finishing second in the GIII West Virginia Derby. He is owned by Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbacnk Stables LLC, Judy Hicks and Scott Rice.

Here is the field for the Travers, in post-position order, with trainers, jockeys and odds:

1. Magnitude, Steve Asmussen, Ben Curtis, 2-1
2. Bracket Buster, Vicki Oliver, Luis Saez, 20-1
3. Strategic Focus, Chad Brown, Flavien Prat, 6-1
4. Sovereignty, Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado, 2-5
5. McAfee, Richard Dutrow, Jr., John Velazquez, 20-1

You Win the Alabama, You Get a Carmel Apple

After winning the GI Alabama Stakes on Saturday, dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse decided to treat himself. He wanted a caramel apple.

And that's exactly what he did. After Casse and wife Tina had dinner at Mrs. London's on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, they moved down the street to Kilwins Ice Cream Shop so he could get his just desserts.

“I told her I thought I deserved a caramel apple,” Casse said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Sunday morning. “If my horses run good, I'll go get one.”

His horses ran good in the Alabama.

Mark Casse feeds Nitrogen a peppermint Sunday morning | Sarah Andrew

Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro), the 2-1 second choice, took a giant step upwards in the race for top 3-year-old filly when she won the 1 1/4-mile race by a convincing 1 1/2 lengths over Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), the 7-5 favorite. Jose Ortiz rode the horse to the victory.

Casse's other filly in the race, La Cara (Street Sense) finished fourth.

The Alabama is the first Grade I on Nitrogen's resume. She was second, beaten a neck in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational at Saratoga on July 5.

On Sunday morning, Casse accepted well wishes from rival trainers who passed by in golf carts as well as those who were on foot.

All was well with Nitrogen, who was wide-eyed and bright as she watched life go by from her stall. Owned and bred by D. J. Stable LLC, Nitrogen has won six of seven starts this year, the first five coming on grass. The only reason she ran in the Alabama was because she had blitzed two other opponents in the off-the-turf GIII Wonder Again on June 7.

She won that race by 17 lengths.

Casse said it is most likely that Nitrogen will be running on the dirt the rest of the way this year.

“I don't think that would even be a question,” Casse said.

Nitrogen will probably get one more start before heading to the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 1.

The options, Casse said, are a listed stakes at Churchill Downs (the $175,000 Seneca Overnight Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 20) or the $650,000 GI Spinster Stakes at 1 1/8 miles against older fillies and mares at Keeneland on Oct. 5. He said he is not going to totally rule out the $1-million GI Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 20, but that is the probable landing spot for La Cara.

Casse admitted that going into the Alabama, a race he had never won, he was nervous.

“I thought we had a shot to run 1-2 and that's what probably made me nervous,” he said.

Cox Not Disappointed in Good Cheer

Even though she lost for the second straight race–after starting her career with seven consecutive victories–trainer Brad Cox has not lost any faith in his top 3-year-old filly Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro).

Nitrogen outfinishes Good Cheer in the Alabama | Sarah Andrew

She finished second in the GI Alabama Stakes on Saturday, but Cox was upbeat as he talked about the loss in his office at his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track Sunday morning.

Owned by Godolphin, Good Cheer was defeated by 1 1/2 lengths by Nitrogen in the Alabama.

“She ran good,” Cox said. “I felt like she was going to run her race, and I think she did. She just could not overcome the soft pace up front. I'm not disappointed in the effort at all.”

Good Cheer had assumed the top spot in the 3-year-old filly division after winning the GI Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 2.

That was her first Grade I score and followed a pair of Grade II wins– the Rachel Alexandra Stakes and Fair Grounds Oaks.

The first loss of her career came in the GI Acorn Stakes at Saratoga over a sloppy track. That race, which was won by Nitrogen's stablemate La Cara, who was fourth in the Alabama, was dismissed by Cox because of the track.

“That is what happens in shorter fields,” Cox said, referring to the six-horse Alabama. “You don't get pace. When you have a larger group of fillies, there is more pressure on everybody; jockeys have to make decisions, and they just naturally go quicker. We got a good ride yesterday and a good effort.”

Pace-setting La Cara set fractions of :24.94 for the quarter, :49.70 for the half and 1:13.24 for the first six furlongs.

Nitrogen was able to get the jump on Good Cheer and hold her off to the finish.

“That filly is the leader (of the division) and she deserves to be,” Cox said. “But the season is not over.”

Cox said he hopes to get another race into Good Cheer before heading to the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Sunday, Cox sent out another Godolphin runner, Highland Falls (Curlin) for a four-furlong work in :49 (30/106) on the main track. Regular rider Luis Saez was on board.

In his last start, Highland Falls finished second behind 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the GI Whitney Stakes earlier this month.

“He breezed real good,” Cox said. “It was foggy when he went there, and we had someone let us know when he hit the half-mile pole, and we saw him from the eighth pole home. He was traveling well, and Luis was happy with him.”

Cox said that Highland Falls could run next in the $1-million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 31. He also said if he does not run in that race, he could be pointed to the $500,000 GII Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs or the $300,000 GII Woodward at Aqueduct. Both of those races are on Sept. 27.

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It was a TAP exacta in R6 at Saratoga!

After a stewards inquiry and jockey's objection, Teleport was moved up to first place over stablemate Scope. @iradortiz was aboard. pic.twitter.com/xqJziXY4bQ

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 17, 2025

The post Pletcher’s Uncoupled Entry In Spa Maiden Switch Positions After Foul appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Owned by Claiborne Farm, the dark bay made his first start over the grass at Ellis and was well-beaten July 21. Fitted with blinkers and off as a 5-1 shot here, the 2-year-old bided his time along the rail as a scramble for supremacy between longshots ensued up front around the first turn. Getting into action up the backstretch, Swamp King took the controls and tried his best to separate himself from the rest of the field around the far turn. The colt dug deep down the lane and despite heavy pressure from Epic Horsepower (Not This Time) and a late-run from favorite Fulleffort (Liam's Map) got the job done at the wire.

A half-sister to MSW Mobil Solution (Mobil) and the dam of GSW West Coast Belle (Tapit), the winner's dam is responsible for a yearling colt by Jackie's Warrior and a March colt by Mandaloun. She visited Army Mule for next season.

During his lucrative racing career, Steve Asmussen trainee Silver State rattled off six wins in a row for co-owners Ron Winchell and Willis Horton, which included the GII Oaklawn Handicap and GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Mile Handicap. This first-crop sire (by Hard Spun)–who stands at Claiborne for a stud fee of $10,000–has 126 foals of racing age to his credit.

6th-Ellis, $99,844, Msw, 8-17, 2yo, 1mT, 1:36.64, fm, neck.
SWAMP KING (c, 2, Silver State–La Piba {SW, $157,001}, by Lookin At Lucky) Sales History: $60,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $70,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $59,526. Click for the Equibase.com chart.
O-Claiborne Farm; B-Clarkland Farm LLC (KY); T-Riley Mott.

Swamp King hangs on to win R6 at @ellisparkracing at 5/1 odds for trainer @riley_mott with @a_concepcion16 in the saddle!

#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/lx4qXnBsba

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 17, 2025

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DEAUVILLE, FRANCE — What more can you say that hasn't already been said about Wootton Bassett? If Aidan O'Brien was asked to sum up the stallion, you can be sure the words, different, special and unusual would be the first ones to be ticked off that bingo card. 

Even the most cynical of people will have to start agreeing with the master of Ballydoyle's appraisal of Coolmore's most expensive stallion standing in Europe following the exploits of Henri Matisse, Camille Pissarro and Whirl, who from the first crop of runners conceived since he moved to Ireland, have won Classics and Group 1 races this season. 

No surprise then that after day two of the Arqana August Yearling Sale, Wootton Bassett is the leading sire on every metric here in Deauville and, along with Coolmore going to €2.3 million to secure the most expensive horse to sell at the sale thus far, even Godolphin pushed the boat out to spend €1.3 million on a filly and a colt by the stallion on Sunday.

It was MV Magnier who secured the top lot, who was consigned  by Haras des Capucines on behalf of Jean-Philippe Dubois of Haras des Fresnaux, with Amo Racing, an online bidder and bloodstock agent Jason Kelly involved in the battle.

Magnier said, “He's a lovely horse and Wootton Bassett is doing very well. We had his brother in Ballydoyle and he was nearly a very good horse. All the guys really liked this fella and Wootton Bassett is flying at the moment. In fairness to Mr Dubois and everyone involved, they've always been a big supporter of ours and are very good breeders. Michel Zerolo was always praising this horse a lot so let's hope he's good.”

The Wootton Bassett colt is out of Invincible Spirit mare High Celebrity, who won a Group 3 herself before placing behind Tiggy Wiggy – later bought by Coolmore for 2.1 million gns – in the Cheveley Park Stakes in 2014 when trained by Andre Fabre. 

High Celebrity has already produced two Stakes horses, including Highbury, who O'Brien trained to finish second in last year's G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. 

Magnier added, “He's a very nice horse by Wootton Bassett bred by one of the best breeders in France. It's a lot of money, I appreciate that, but he's a good horse and Wootton Bassett is breaking all the rules at the moment. The boss man [John Magnier] is here and it was his call.”

Dubois has retained High Celebrity, according to Capucines boss Eric Puerari, who showered the top lot with praise. 

He said, “I'm very happy for the breeder, Jean-Philippe Dubois, who has a great operation, both Flat and trotting. He's a leader in his business, and he goes to the best stallions. He kept this very good racemare, the dam of that beautiful colt. The price was deserved, because the colt was exceptional all along. All the main players were on him and we knew it was going to go like this.”

Godolphin Doubles Up On Wootton Bassett

Coolmore has not been shy about supporting Godolphin stallions for nearly a decade now, notably in the case of Dubawi, and that love was reciprocated on Sunday when Anthony Stroud spent €1.3 million on two Wootton Bassett yearlings on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed's powerful operation.

The seven-figure spend on the progeny by the stallion was headed by lot 103, a €900,000 colt out of Hidden Breeze (Dark Angel), a sister to G1 Matron Stakes runner-up Lily's Angel from Haras d'Etreham. Godolphin also landed a Wootton Bassett filly out of Listed scorer Flighty Lady (Sir Percy) from Haras du Cadran for €400,000. 

Stroud commented, “The stallion speaks for himself – he's done so well. He is a top-class stallion and is very versatile.” 

For Haras d'Etreham, the sale at €900,000 of Hidden Breeze's colt marked a poignant record.

“It's our best result selling a yearling by Wootton Bassett,” said Nicolas de Chambure, the man chiefly responsible for getting the stallion's career off the ground when standing him at Etreham in his early years.

“We've been better at breeding good Wootton Bassetts than selling expensive ones. His dam is a young mare and it's great to be able to get a good result in the ring, but obviously we hope he is good on the track for Godolphin. It's great to have them here and supporting us like that so I hope he is very lucky for them.”

When it comes to breeding good colts by Wootton Bassett, Etreham was responsible for the first of them, the European champion three-year-old Almanzor. Though he is now a permanent resident at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand, his parting gift to his breeders was this year's Prix de Diane winner Gezora, who was bought privately in training by Peter Brant of White Birch Farm.

“It's been a good season on the track and, as we advertised a little bit before the sale, we try to race a few who haven't made it to the sale and sell them later, so we are an open market at any time of their career,” de Chambure added. 

Tweenhills Reluctantly Parts With a Gem

Tweenhills Farm arrived in Deauville with its first draft of August yearlings and sold all three at an average of €566,667, including Lot 140, a colt by Siyouni out of one of Sheikh Fahad's earliest Group 1 winners, Lightening Pearl (Marju).

The final bid of €1.25 million was placed online with the buyer later being identified as the American Racing Corporation, an unfamiliar name in racing circles.

Speaking as he exited the ring, David Redvers of Tweenhills said, “I feel slightly sick. We've been a full-blown operation for a long time and we've never had a nicer colt than this with a stallion's pedigree. So obviously I am sick to see him go.”

He added, “When Sheikh Fahad saw him for the first time he said that he thought he was the best horse we've ever bred on the farm and I'll take that as a major compliment. We've underbid him here and now I have to go to find out who bought him.”

Talking Points 

• The general chat has been that the best is yet to come on Monday but already the figures are looking pretty healthy, highlighted by an 11% rise in the average. After some day one jitters, the figures took a big step forward on Sunday, with the average for day two alone up a massive 25% compared to this day last year. The Sunday session also posted a rise in the aggregate – up 12% to €15,035,000 – while the clearance rate was up 2% to 85%. The overall clearance rate for the sale stands at 78% – up 3% on last year. 
• For €500,000, you could buy yourself a gorgeous little chalet in Normandy. But for half a million quid, you can also get yourself a Frankel colt out of a Classic winner. Depends how you define value but, most people in attendance on Sunday might suggest that it was Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi who got the most bang for his buck. The colt in question, of course, is out of French 1,000 Guineas winner Mangoustine (Dark Angel) and was consigned by Monceaux. He will be joined by a Siyouni filly and colt on the plane back to Japan, taking his total spend at this sale to €1.42 million. Yahagi said, “It was a good price. Mozu Ascot (Frankel) won two Group 1 races and he [Frankel] is a very good stallion at the moment. I think this horse is a miler, so maybe the Prix Jacques le Marois! We bought two other Siyounis yesterday. We're done now.”

• The ever-entertaining American owner Mike Repole, whose colours are synonymous with brilliant horses like Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty and more recently Fierceness, has big plans for his €300,000 Dubawi filly (lot 109) that was purchased from Baroda Stud. Rather than returning to the States, where the majority of Repole's string is trained, the idea is being floated for the filly to stay in Europe – with Italy being put forward as the most likely jurisdiction for her to be trained in. Asked where the horse was destined for shortly after the hammer had dropped, Repole replied via text message, “That's a great question. My team just asked me that and I don't know. There is a 15 per cent tariff and, while I haven't made any decision yet, I am leaning towards keeping her in Europe. Alex [Solis], Madison [Scott] and Ed [Rosen] are all working together. They present everything to me and we discuss it as a group. We then vet, come up with a price range and bid. We could leave this horse in France or even Italy – I plan on sending some horses to Endo Botti. I go there every year and I need a reason to go more.” It is understood that Repole has already sent three horses to be trained by Botti, one of the leading trainers in that country. Lot 109 is out of Galileo mare How, who is a daughter of multiple Group 1 winner Lillie Langtry (Danehill Dancer), and a sister to high-class mares Minding, Tuesday, Empress Josephine and Kissed By Angels.

• Popular owner-breeder Craig Bernick added a potential long-term prospect to his team in the shape of lot 102, a Monceaux-consigned Sea The Stars filly from the family of Emily Upjohn. Bernick has enjoyed huge success in Europe, notably with trainer Fozzy Stack in Ireland, but the Sea The Stars will be joining the stable of Francis Graffard, who sent out Audubon Park (Dubawi) to win a Listed contest on behalf of the American-based owner this year. Speaking about his new addition, Bernick said, “She's got a great outlook. A plain, bay filly with a great walk. We've only had one Sea The Stars at Glen Hill Farm and, long-term, he's probably going to be one of the best broodmare sires. It's just one of those families that, if you see a good individual, it's definitely one that's always on the radar. We're excited to have her and she will go to Francis Graffard.” Lot 102 was knocked down to bloodstock agent Hubie de Burgh, who showed his age when suggesting that Bernick might well be around longer to enjoy these top-notch families. De Burgh said, “Really what Craig is, is he's a collector of long-term breeding prospects. Fillies like Audubon Park will go back to the farm and she is a long-term breeding prospect so Craig is buying into the best families. Hopefully he'll be around in 50 years' time to enjoy them. I'll be in my wheelchair and he'll be pushing me around!”

Golden Touch

It's hard to remember a sale where Roderic Kavanagh didn't enjoy a major result and, not for the first time, the 'Golden Touch' accolades were rightly his after he turned 45,000gns into €220,000 within the space of eight months. Lot 114, a Showcasing filly that went the way of Kenny McPeek on Sunday, had been sourced at the December Foal Sale at Tattersalls. 

The yearling was pinhooked by Ronald Rauscher in partnership with Peter and Roderic Kavanagh and Cormac O'Flynn.

Roderic said, “We're very happy with that. She's a lovely filly and that was a great turnaround. I'd say it hasn't been easy on the whole here for pinhookers so we're delighted to come out very much on the right side of it.”

He added, “She's going to a great home as well: Kenny McPeek, what a cool guy. He described her as sexy and I thought that was a good way of describing her, she's a jet-black filly and a beauty.”

The post Coolmore And Godolphin Hoover Up Wootton Bassett Yearlings At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A new top lot at #TheAugustSale, as American Racing Corp went to €1,250,000 online to secure Lot 140, a colt by Siyouni?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Siyouni @AgaKhanStuds out of Gr.1 winner LIGHTENING PEARL. He was offered by @Tweenhills. pic.twitter.com/6oxnwMZopq

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 17, 2025

The post Siyouni Colt Out Of Lightening Pearl Brings €1.25 million From The American Racing Corporation At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

But let's make a plea for indulgence, should any of the law lecturers at University College, Dublin, happen to find one student uncharacteristically distracted on resuming his course in September. Because whatever broad principles of contract may yet require elucidation, there are extremely good reasons why Freddie Duignan could find his thoughts straying to the value of a signature even then being scrawled on a document, 4,000 miles away in Kentucky.

“My first day back in class is the first day of the September Sale,” Duignan explains. “So I will probably be in a lecture, the day he sells. I suppose I'll just have to follow it online and try to keep quiet when they drop the hammer, whether it's good or bad.”

Obviously he wouldn't have planned things this way, but then nor did he exactly plan the transaction that has brought this impending one to our attention.

That was also at Keeneland, in November 2022. Even though Duignan was then only 16, he already felt thoroughly at home in the sales environment. As the son of Gabriel (“Spider”) and Aisling Duignan, he has long been familiar to their many friends in the Bluegrass community-whether made through their own Springhouse Farm; Spider's collaboration with Pat Costello at Paramount; or Aisling's work at Coolmore. More importantly, young Duignan felt just as comfortable among the horses themselves.

“That was how I was raised, every time we sat round the dinner table the talk always revolved around horseracing. And at breakfast, and lunch, and everything in between. So I always had some interest, from the get-go, and it just grew and grew as I got older.”

In fact, it all came to Duignan so naturally that already as a 14-year-old he was not discouraged from an experimental pinhook. He showed an immediate aptitude, his first punt being a $10,000 Oscar Performance weanling deep in the November Sale of 2020. He was sold in the same ring the following September for $100,000 and, under the name Act a Fool, ran up a sequence of four as a sophomore, culminating in the Hawthorne Derby.

Suitably emboldened, here was Duignan prospecting weanlings to bring back the following September. His mother would take a piece of something, so would one or two others, but it was again going to be the young man's call.

The one he adored was Hip 892, a Not This Time colt in the Warrendale consignment. He was probably too blatant to be missed, but they would follow him through just in case. And in the back of their minds they were also mindful of the fact that the colt's dam, a once-raced daughter of Bernardini named Rockadelic, would be following him onto the rostrum directly afterwards.

“Obviously we really liked the foal, so we looked at her as well,” Duignan explains. “And she was a very nice mare, by probably the best broodmare sire around right now, and out of [dual Grade I winner] Octave (Unbridled's Song). And in foal to McKinzie.”

Sure enough, the foal went way beyond reach at $310,000.

“That was out of our price range,” Duignan recalls. “But then the mare was stalling at $100,000, so we said we'd hit her once. And we got her. It hadn't really been the objective, but we were just going to make sure she didn't slip through the cracks.”

The project started well when Rockadelic's McKinzie colt sold in the equivalent sale, the following November, for $100,000. He made a promising debut at Gulfstream in June, winning a photo only to be disqualified for interference. By that stage, however, the Not This Time colt had already transformed the page.

He had duly advanced his value as a pinhook, sold to Winchell Thoroughbreds for $450,000 at the September Sale. They named him Magnitude-and, after one or two uneven performances as he developed, he proved a revelation when romping by almost 10 lengths in the GII Risen Star Stakes. Suddenly Duignan found himself with the dam of one of the Derby favorites.

“Last year was my first over in Dublin, so I was in Ireland when he won the Risen Star,” Duignan says. “I was just blown away, I didn't expect him to win like that.”

The excitement admittedly proved brief, Magnitude soon being sidelined by an ankle chip, but he proved his Fair Grounds exhibition to be no flash in the pan when resuming earlier this month with another runaway success in the Iowa Derby. As a fresh horse, he will ask a new question of crop leader Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GI Travers Stakes on Saturday.

Just a couple of weeks after that, a Bolt d'Oro half-brother will be gratefully taking any updates into the September Sale as Hip 888.

Magnitude at Saratoga Sunday morning | Sarah Andrew

“It's great when a young mare has already shown that she can throw a nice product,” Duignan says. “And she seems to have proved it again, because this one seems to have pretty similar qualities to Magnitude. He's a nice, big, pretty horse. He's with us at Springhouse and coming along nicely in his prep, seems to be handling everything well and strengthening up. Hopefully he'll keep progressing. The mare has a very nice weanling by Jack Christopher, and is back in foal to Not This Time.”

No surprise there, obviously, but Duignan is taking nothing for granted. While others of his generation are entering the business via lavish international programs, he has been no less privileged to receive his own education, by sheer osmosis, in a domestic environment that just happens to be suffused with the insight and example of one of the sharpest couples in the game.

So when it is suggested to Duignan that he has shown a Midas touch with both his first pinhook, Act a Fool, and now his first mare, he has an unsurprisingly level-headed response.

“It may look like that,” he says. “But look, both my parents been very helpful and steered me in the correct direction. I hope they're very happy to have a kid interested in what they're doing. I've just tried to absorb as much as I can. Even as a boy I would get to go to the sales with friend, and we'd sit in the back ring looking at horses going through. And I'm so lucky to have been able to follow my dad around, looking at foals, learning why some make his shortlist and others don't. My parents have always tried to point things out: 'See how this horse uses his shoulder when he walks,' or 'See how this one's over at the knee.' And of course they have so many friends in the business, who've all been really helpful as well.”

Even this fairytale mare, after all, has already reiterated the axiomatic unpredictability of the Thoroughbred: Duignan had barely 48 hours to enjoy the possibility of Magnitude wearing a blanket of roses before being abruptly brought back to earth.

“Steve Asmussen is a great trainer who will give him the best chance of getting on the big stage,” Duignan says with a shrug. “It was obviously the right call and Magnitude came back with a 105 Beyer the other day. Hopefully he can have a good second half of the season. It's the nature of the game to have ups and downs, horses will get hurt or have bad luck in a race. Things will happen and you just have to take them in your stride.”

So here's a young man with the right attitude as well as the right grounding, should he wish to persevere with the same vocation as his parents. Like his older sister, who is likewise studying law (in Georgia), he's sensibly giving himself options.

“I love UCD Dublin,” he confirms. “There are loads of racetracks nearby, which I try to get to for the big days at least. While I've been going round the sales for years already, I've loads still to learn. For my first mare to be doing this, obviously it's all downhill from here! It will be tough to top this. But surrounded by the people that I am, I won't be short of good advice.”

The post Duignan, Jr. Building On Rock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Clocked in :50.22 (31/49) while working through a blanket of fog, the Steve Asmussen charge has been training up to the feature race this weekend after producing a 9 1/4-length masterclass last out July 5 in the Listed Iowa Derby. The son of Not This Time missed the Triple Crown series with an ankle chip, but has been moving forwardly since his return to the races last month.

“He worked good,” said Scott Blasi, assistant trainer to Asmussen on-site for the work. “They [the instructions] were just to go a half-mile. We feel like he's really fit. We were just letting him stretch his legs over the track and he's doing well.”

The Asmussen and Winchell Thoroughbreds combination is no stranger to winning the Travers as they last took home the spoils in 2022 with MGISW Epicenter, coincidentally also by Not This Time.

The post Magnitude Breezes Over Oklahoma Track for Saturday’s Travers Tilt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Making the switch to Philip Antonacci's shedrow, the dark bay made her seasonal bow as the even-money favorite here. The chalk was keen from the bell and established her lead heading into the first turn. Controlling the pace throughout, Ready for Candy hit the accelerator down the lane and won convincingly to break her maiden by 7 3/4 lengths over Inesperee (Flintshire {GB}). The winner's dam is responsible for several runners currently in-training, including 5-year-old gelding Tiburon (Good Magic), 4-year-old filly Bolt Enoree (Bolt d'Oro) and 2-year-old colt Mister Blue (Maclean's Music).

Enoree was bred to Essential Quality for next term. Out of an extended female family which includes Canadian champion 3-year-old colt Woodcarver (Woodman), Ready for Candy's second dam is Canadian MSW Woodsmoke (Langfuhr) who produced GSW Grand Bili (City Zip). Sales History: $70,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $62,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $60,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR; $400,000 3yo '25 FTKFEB. Lifetime Record: GSP-Can, 8-1-3-2, $162,171. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Lindy Farms; B-Mark Dodson (ON); T-Philip Antonacci.

The post Twirling Candy’s Ready For Candy Sweet Off The Bench In The Spa Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Monday, August 18, 2025
Ellis 6, $100k, 2yo, f, 1mT, 3:12 p.m. ET
Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze
Stunning Sapphire (Win Win Win), OBSAPR, 230,000, :10
C-Shooting Star Sales LLC; B-Niki Goodwin, agent

Ellis 9, $100k, 2yo, f, 1mT, 4:42 p.m. ET
Justa Rebel (Justify), FTMMAY, 180,000, :10 4/5
C-Wavertree Stable Inc (Ciaran Dunne), agent; B-Robbie Medina, Agent for Stone Bridge Farm

The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Monday, August 18, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The seven-figure mark has been broken at the #TheAugustSale as Lot 104 – a filly by #WoottonBassett @coolmorestud out of Group winner HIGH CELEBRITY offered by @HarasCapucines – sells for €2,300,000 to @coolmorestud associates. pic.twitter.com/m5c7dwvWJa

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 17, 2025

The post MV Magnier Snaps Up Wootton Bassett Colt For €2.3 Million At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Sam Sangster completed what could well be one of the most significant deals of his career earlier this week, ensuring that the Frankel colt who had hitherto run in Derrick Smith's silks for the Coolmore partnership instead bore the colours which were so intrinsically linked to the early days of that empire. 

Arguably the most famous carrier of those silks was Sadler's Wells, bred by Sangster's father Robert and trained at Ballydoyle by Vincent O'Brien before a stallion career that would rewrite the record books and put Coolmore Stud at the epicentre of the bloodstock world. The legendary sire provided his home team with Galileo, who in turn provided Juddmonte with Frankel, who has now in some respects completed the circle in delivering Sam his first Group 1 win and the prospect of a tantalising stud career ahead for Diego Velazquez. Breed to race to breed. 

A director of the National Stud in Newmarket, where his half-brother Ben was previously chairman, Sam Sangster was bestowed with a name that will open doors for him in racing, but he long ago proved himself to have the eye of a horseman, the manners to make him well liked and, perhaps most importantly, a genuine passion for the sport of horseracing. The man was moved to tears and visibly shaking in the aftermath of Diego Velazquez's win in the Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois, and this was no show put on for the cameras. 

“We've been hunting for a horse for the National Stud for a while now,” he said. “The team at Coolmore were so kind to let me get in on him. I went to Ballydoyle and saw him. Honestly, he blew me away when he came out of the box. I wanted to try everything to try and secure him.”

God loves a trier, and apparently so does John Magnier, as the deal was sealed in ink less than a week ago. Diego Velazquez will stand at the National Stud in 2026 alongside Stradivarius, Bradsell, Rajasinghe and Lope Y Fernandez, who remains part-owned by Coolmore.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained four-year-old travelled sweetly in his first start since winning the G2 Minstrel Stakes a month ago. Always handy on Deauville's straight mile, Diego Velazquez went on from Dancing Gemini and looked set to win easily when the rejuvenated Notable Speech threw down a late challenge along the stands' rail to force a photo.

“Don't!” Sangster said, when asked whether he thought he had won the race. He has after all suffered the agony in recent years of watching Kathmandu being denied by a head by Rouhiya in last year's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Isaac Shelby take the same spot in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. This time the narrow verdict went his way. 

“Aidan was very confident. Even in the pre-parade ring, I think I was the first one in there half an hour before the horse. Aidan just filled me with confidence that he's in the best place he's ever had him. So it kind of gave me a bit more of a spring in my step because I've been pretty nervous all week.”

He continued, “Obviously, it's an incredibly emotional moment for me seeing the old man's colours come in. And it's my first Group 1 winner in those colours. We have been knocking on the door, and it was nice to reverse that,” he added. 

“God, we are lucky that we are getting him and he's coming to the UK. We'll be offering him to British breeders. And now he's a Group 1 winner over a mile – just a small update!

“He's so genuine, he's so tough. And he's a son of Frankel. Thank you to Aidan and all the team, and to Christophe Soumillon.”

MV Magnier, who had bought Diego Velazquez from his breeder Denis Brosnan of Croom House Stud for 2.4m gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, was among the first to congratulate Sangster in the winner's enclosure. The family ties run deep, with Magnier's father John and grandfather Vincent O'Brien having long been friends and business partners with the Sangsters. This particular equine family has also been kind to Coolmore. Diego Velazquez's half-brothers Broome and Point Lonsdale, both by Australia, have won 12 group races between them for Aidan O'Brien to add to the four he had himself won prior to his change of ownership.

“It's a great result for Sam Sangster,” said Magnier. “He put his neck on the line and the horse came up trumps for him.”

He added, “Sam really deserves it, and in fairness to him and [brothers] Ben and Adam, they've all got a great eye for a horse.

“Having the Sangster colours back in Ballydoyle and winning a Group 1 means a lot to everyone.”

The post ‘An Incredibly Emotional Moment’: National Hero Sangster Delivers G1 Stallion for Newmarket  appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A winner at two, the son of Bint Almatar (Kingmambo) ran fourth in the G1 2000 Guineas in May and was sixth to Lambourn (Australia) in the G1 Derby at Epsom in June. Wheeled back in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, the bay was second that day. He was most recently seen in action in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen, where he ran out a 2 1/2-length winner on July 27.

“He's fine, in good form, but I've given him a break,” said bin Suroor. “It's likely that I'll keep him back for the race in Bahrain. I just want to give him an easy time and miss York as he had been very busy, he ran in the Guineas, then the Derby, then Royal Ascot.

“I'll get him started on some light exercise, then in September we can start working him before going to Bahrain, he'll be ready for it. He needed a break.”

Other Middle Eastern targets are also under consideration for Tornado Alert, including Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

He added, “After Bahrain I'll take him to Dubai and if he's good enough, I'll take him to Saudi Arabia. We'll see how good he is on the dirt first and if not he can run in the turf race, I'll have to see.”

The post Bahrain Trophy On The Docket For Tornado Alert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Also headed to the gate for the first time is another Keeneland September grad in Riotous (Charlatan). The Wayne Catalano trainee is a half-sister to GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes victor Arklow (Arch). Joining her is $850,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale buy Sneakily (Tapit). Owned by Wathnan and conditioned by Brad Cox, the filly is out of MGSW Sneaking Out (Indian Evening). Last but not least, Ian Wilkes trains Lillesand (More Than Ready)–the half-sister of MGSW Gentle Ruler (Colonel John). TJCIS PPS

The post Monday’s Racing Insights: Well-Bred Into Mischief Filly Trust Account Debuts At Ellis Park Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

“I thought he did it very convincingly and his half-sister is very good and very fast, so we seem to be bringing out the speed of that family,” Princess Zahra Aga Khan said of the exciting Francis-Henri Graffard trainee. “He was still very green today and we can hope that he might run in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.”

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard added, “This was a step up, as it was a tough line-up, but he was rather extraordinary. He will surely aim for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, but I don't want to get bogged down in ground too soft.”

Impressive!

Rayif is a half-brother to classy sprinter Rayevka and wins the Group Three @AgaKhanStuds Prix Francois Boutin in emphatic fashion! pic.twitter.com/T9NPVmGRBp

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 17, 2025

Pedigree Notes
Rayif, who becomes the 20th Group winner for his sire, is out of the Listed-placed Rayisa (Holy Roman
Emperor) whose aforementioned three-year-old filly Rayevka (Blue Point) has already established herself as a top-level sprinter. She is kin to the G3 Athasi Stakes winner Rehana (Dark Angel), who was also placed in the G2 Cape Verdi, while the third dam Rayyana (Rainbow Quest) was responsible for the G3 Killavullan Stakes winner and G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Rayeni (Indian Ridge). Also connected to last year's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Rouhiya (Lope De Vega), Rayisa's colt foal is by Vadeni.

The post Sea The Moon’s Rayif Electric In The Francois Boutin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

“He's always been a very good horse and I'm so delighted for Sam–he's a very legitimate and desirable horse,” Aidan O'Brien said of the first winner of the race in the famed Sangster silks and his stable's second after Excelebration in 2012. “He's a great model and is determined and very brave–he had won a good trial in the Minstrel and they have to be sharp for that as it's a fast seven and he had just come right in the last week. It's incredible to have a horse running in those colours, I was just thinking of that when I saw him going down, we never thought we'd have a horse running in them. We thought he'd be a horse for the Keeneland Mile and then the Breeders' Cup Mile.”

Sam Sangster has the GI Breeders' Cup Mile in mind for the winner. “That meant a lot–we were so lucky that Aidan and Coolmore let us into the horse and we are even luckier now that's for sure,” he said. “He's an absolute gorgeous horse, a phenomenal mover and so tough. We could see him at the National Stud just by the way he walked out of his box. I thought he'd run a big race and he had been working very well and he's shown how good he really is. We were thinking of going to Keeneland, as that's a 'Win and You're In' for the Breeders' Cup, but we'll let Aidan decide.”

Charlie Appleby also has the Breeders' Cup in mind for the runner-up, who was flashing home and could be considered unlucky having had to wait for his run. “The important thing is that he is back to his best,” he said. “William had to wait and when you do that you are either hero or villain, but that is how he has to be ridden. He could go for the Woodbine Mile and then the Breeders' Cup Mile.”

Labelled one of the stable's many TDN Rising Stars at two, Diego Velazquez ended his first two campaigns with three Pattern-race wins all at Leopardstown and a close fourth in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains but no Group One. Relaunched in the Queen Anne, he failed to fire before returning to winning ways in the seven-furlong G2 Minstrel Stakes at The Curragh last month.

This was as straightforward as it gets for the winner, enjoying a clear run throughout wide of the rail and able to benefit from the effort of Dancing Gemini to get past the leader The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars). Blessed with stamina for a miler, as he had shown when taking the nine-furlong Meld Stakes by seven lengths last term, Diego Velazquez put in a closing three-furlong sectional of 32.81 to see off Roger Teal's stable star. Perhaps the story of the race was the incredible 32.27 equivalent carved out by Notable Speech, whose individual splits of 10.84, 10.70 and 10.72 are truly elite.

“He had won a good trial in the Minstrel and they have to be sharp for that, as it's a fast seven,” O'Brien added. “He had just come right in the last week. He loves fast ground and he's quick, so we thought he'd be a horse for the Keeneland Mile and then the Breeders' Cup Mile. A lot of money has been spent this week on his stallion career, but sometimes money isn't what matters. What they achieved today–you can't buy that, those memories.”

Charlie Appleby also has the Breeders' Cup in mind for the runner-up, who possibly was running his most impressive race to date. “It's frustrating to be beaten by so little, but the most important thing is to see him back to his best,” he said. “William had to wait and when you do that you are either hero or villain, but that is how he has to be ridden. The mile is his optimum trip–we tried dropping him back last time, as sometimes you need to experiment. He could go for the Woodbine Mile and then the Breeders' Cup Mile.”

Roger Teal said of Dancing Gemini, “The ground was probably a bit too quick and perhaps he didn't fully settle, but it was still a top-class performance. He had already beaten today's winner three times before on softer ground and a Group One win will come soon. We'll go to ParisLongchamp for the Prix du Moulin, hoping for slightly easier going and then there is Ascot. His new bit made him a bit keener early on. I don't know why he couldn't run in his usual bit–he's raced at Longchamp with it before.”

Diego Velazquez just holds on from the fast-finishing Notable Speech to land the Group One @AgaKhanStuds Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville! pic.twitter.com/xrHpn7ahoE

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 17, 2025

Pedigree Notes
That Diego Velasquez should be so effective at this trip is a surprise, given that his sire's 40th Group One winner is a half-brother to the strong-staying Broome and Point Lonsdale by another of Galileo's high-profile sons in Australia. Between them, they garnered a dozen Group wins and a Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at the highest level which goes some way to explaining this horse's 2.4million gns price tag as a yearling. The speed emanates mostly from the dam, the Listed National Stakes winner Sweepstake (Acclamation) who was second in the GIII Appalachian Stakes and third in the G3 Princess Margaret Stakes.

Under the second dam Dust Flicker (Suave Dancer) are Havana Grey's fast Stakes-winning brothers Elite Status and Soldier's Heart, while the excellent Hesmonds Stud family also features the Phoenix Stakes-winning sire Zoffany, Acclamation's G3 Bengough Stakes-winning sprinter Projection and Holy Roman Emperor's G3 Anglesey Stakes-winning sire Wilshire Boulevard. After Diego Velasquez, Sweepstake's next offering is a colt foal by St Mark's Basilica.

Sunday, Deauville, France
THE AGA KHAN STUDS PRIX JACQUES LE MAROIS-G1, €1,000,000, Deauville, 8-17, 3yo/up, c/f, 8fT, 1:34.23, g/s.
1–DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (IRE), 131, c, 4, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Sweepstake (Ire) (SW & GSP-Eng & US, $114,162), by Acclamation (GB)
2nd Dam: Dust Flicker (GB), by Suave Dancer
3rd Dam: Galaxie Dust, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
TDN Rising Star. 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (2,400,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Sam Sangster; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd; T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Cristophe Soumillon. €571,400. Lifetime Record: MGSW-Ire, 11-6-0-0, €930,815. *1/2 to Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), G1SW-Fr, MGSW & G1SP-Ire, GSW-Eng & UAE, GISP-USA, $2,814,348; and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}), MGSW & G1SP-Eng & Ire, G1SP-Fr, GSP-Bhr, $906,260. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Notable Speech (GB), 131, c, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Swift Rose (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). TDN Rising Star. O/B-Godolphin; T-Charlie Appleby. €228,600.
3–Dancing Gemini (Ire), 131, c, 4, Camelot (GB)–Lady Adelaide (Ire), by Australia (GB). O/B-Fishdance Ltd; T-Roger Teal. €114,300.
Margins: HD, 3/4, NK. Odds: 12.00, 5.00, 6.80.
Also Ran: Docklands (GB), Go To First (Jpn), Ascoli Piceno (Jpn), Zabiari (GB), Ridari (Fr), King Gold (Fr), The Lion In Winter (Ire). Scratched: Rosallion (Ire).

The post Breeders’ Cup Mile-Bound Diego Velazquez First Jacques Le Marois Winner In The Sangster Silks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Henri Pouret, EMHF chair, said, “The executive council of the EMHF decided with great enthusiasm [on] the appointment of Paull Khan, formerly secretary general of the EMHF, as CEO. This new position reflects the confidence placed in his remarkable experience and commitment and demonstrates the ambition of the EMHF for the years to come. Paull's career, marked by significant achievements, and his unwavering dedication are valuable assets for the organisation. The new title more accurately reflects Paull's role and is more easily understood internationally in today's world.”

Khan added, “I hold the work I do for the EMHF dearly and am delighted to continue for another term. My chair, our executive council and I believe there is yet more we can do together to raise the profile and influence of the EMHF and make it of even greater value to our member racing authorities.”

The post Dr Paull Khan Named CEO Of EMHF appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

This will be the first time that the sport has voluntarily refused to race in its modern history. The four meetings scheduled for that day will move to different dates in the calendar

The announcement comes as British Racing's 'Axe the Racing Tax' campaign gears up in advance of the Autumn Budget. The BHA has warned that proposal to harmonise betting duty could have “devastating consequences for the nation's second-largest spectator sport that supports 85,000 jobs and which is attended by almost five million people each year”.

On September 10, senior racing leaders will be joined in Westminster by owners, trainers and jockeys from an industry worth £4.1 billion to the UK economy. 

“We have decided to take the unprecedented decision to cancel our planned racing fixtures on 10 September to highlight to government the serious consequences of the Treasury's tax proposals which threaten the very future of our sport,” said BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea.

“British Racing is already in a precarious financial position and research has shown that a tax rise on racing could be catastrophic for the sport and the thousands of jobs that rely on it in towns and communities across the country.

“This is the first time that British Racing has chosen not to race due to government proposals. We haven't taken this decision lightly but in doing so we are urging the government to rethink this tax proposal to protect the future of our sport which is a cherished part of Britain's heritage and culture.

“Our message to Government is clear: axe the racing tax and back British Racing.”

Paul Johnson, chief executive of the National Trainers Federation, added, “Cancelling fixtures is a huge sacrifice by racing and should serve as a stark reminder to the Government of the impact its tax raid will have on our sport.”

The post British Racing Called Off For One Day as Axe The Racing Tax Campaign Gathers Pace appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A photo finish specialist with two victories by a combined margin of barely half a head, the Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners colorbearer came into the race with a nose victory July 20 over this course against optional claiming company. She'd tried graded company for the first time two back Apr. 27 in Santa Anita's GIII Senorita Stakes, but only managed an even fourth. She broke her maiden at second asking Mar. 29 at that venue by a nose.

When compared to the rest of the field, namely even-money favorite MGSW Thought Process (Collected) and 8-5 chance SW & MGSP Lush Lips (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), the betting public could only muster 35-1 odds for this daughter of Nyquist.

In midpack as the pacesetter 'TDN Rising Star' SW & MGSP Casalu (Caracaro) rolled through an opening quarter in :23.22 and a half in :46.98, she was stuck on the fence as a wall of runners blocked any open lanes through the bend. The field fanned out for the homeward drive and Thought Process had made her move while Lush Lips was relentlessly closing on the far outside. Diving to the rail as the scramble to her outside finally produced open air, Velocity quickened to strike the front and outkicked the closing Lush Lips to score her career first black-type of any kind. Thought Process managed to save third.

“To be honest I thought she was going to be better on the dirt,” said winning rider Ricardo Gonzalez, who won the second Grade I race of his career, here. “But I had a wonderful trip. I was following Antonio [Fresu on Edge of Mali] all the way around. Just waiting for a little seam, and once I saw it, she went right through it. This is such a fun race to race, especially here in Del Mar.”

“That's as good of a ride as you'll ever see,” said Michael McCarthy. “I thought she got the perfect trip there. A seam opened up on the fence. It was good.”

“She's had a wonderful couple of weeks down here. She was on her toes, in a great way walking around the paddock, coming out through the tunnel. I liked everything I saw today.”

Coming through on the rail!

Velocity & @RickyGonzalez10 score the upset in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks presented by @keenelandsales. pic.twitter.com/O8k3k6TMLU

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) August 17, 2025

Pedigree Notes:

Velocity is the second black-type earner for her dam, but the first at the highest level. Her eldest half-brother Open Road (Quality Road) was stakes placed in his career and her second older half-sibling was a multiple winner. Blast, herself a half-sister to SW Home Run Maker (Into Mischief) and GISP Fun (Harlan's Holiday), has a juvenile filly named Holly's Holiday (Maxfield) as her most recent of racing age. There is also a yearling Cyberknife filly named Dash and a 2025 Taiba filly. She was bred back to National Treasure for 2026.

The victress is Nyquist's ninth worldwide Grade I winner and his second in 2025 joining Cavalieri, who claimed the GI B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes this past March. Group/Grade I-placed runners for the stallion this season include Gosger, Crimson Advocate, Nysos, Immersive, Randomized, and Zio Jo.

Saturday, Del Mar
DEL MAR OAKS PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES S.-GI, $303,000, Del Mar, 8-16, 3yo, f, 1 1/8mT, 1:48.45, fm.
1–VELOCITY, 122, f, 3, by Nyquist
        1st Dam: Blast, by Harlan's Holiday
        2nd Dam: Home Run, by Empire Maker
        3rd Dam: Ninth Inning, by Meadowlake
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($27,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $75,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy; J-Ricardo Gonzalez. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, $274,800. *1/2 to Open Road (Quality Road), SP, $236,834. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Lush Lips (GB), 122, f, 3, by Ten Sovereigns (Ire)
        1st Dam: Lamyaa (GB), by Arcano (Ire)
        2nd Dam: Divine Grace (Ire), by Definite Article (GB)
        3rd Dam: Grey Patience (Ire), by Common Grounds (GB)
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (£82,000 Ylg '23 GOFFUK). O-Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds and Mrs. Paul Shanahan; B-The Pocock Family (GB); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $60,000.
3–Thought Process, 122, f, 3, by Collected
        1st Dam: Creative Thinking (SW-USA, SP-Can, $132,592), by Creative Cause
        2nd Dam: Hat Box, by Street Cry (Ire)
        3rd Dam: Maiden Tower (GB), by Groom Dancer
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($120,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $57,000 RNA Ylg '23 FTKOCT). O-Estate of Brereton C. Jones, Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables LLC; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Philip D'Amato. $36,000.
Margins: HF, 3/4, HF. Odds: 35.00, 1.70, 1.10.
Also Ran: Take A Breath (GB), Will Then, Slick (Ire), Firenze Flavor, Casalu, Edge of Mali (Ire), Resolve, Striver. Scratched: Miso Phansy.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Nyquist’s Velocity Sneaks Up the Fence to Shock Del Mar Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Ok, you get the idea. In Her Glory is not a big-robust looking young horse.

In Saturday's sixth race at Saratoga Race Course–a $100,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs on the Mellon Turf Course–In Her Glory looked 10 feet tall as she ran professionally down the stretch and won the race by a head over Sadie Earp (Tiz The Law).

Sent off at odds of 7-1 in the field of eight, it may have come as somewhat of a surprise, at least a mild one.

Those who know the little gal the best would not be included in that group.

“She's a fighter,” trainer Michael Trombetta said after In Her Glory had gotten her picture taken.

She also showed that she has plenty of athleticism in that slight frame of hers. How big–or small–she is is not really known.

Trombetta said he does not weigh his horses and estimates that In Her Glory might tip the scales at the low end of 900 pounds. As far as her height, he said he doesn't measure that either. Another estimate: maybe 15 hands.

“I think she is the smallest 2-year-old I have this year,” Trombetta said.

Trombetta got an inkling that In Her Glory might have some talent when he watched her in her first start, at Colonial on July 19. After getting off a touch slow, she revved up and finished a clear second in the five-furlong race on the grass.

What happened after she crossed the finish line got the trainer excited.

“She looked hopelessly beaten down the backside and she came really rolling to finish a fast-closing second,” Trombetta said. “When the camera panned out around the turf, she was like 15, 20 lengths in front of the rest of the horses. I said, 'wow, she is just figuring it out.”

Despite the impressive showing at Colonial, Trombetta wasn't sure if coming to Saratoga was the right move for her little girl. Yes, she had shown promise in her first start, but she would be facing tougher in the Saratoga spot.

Charlotte Weber hugs jockey Luis Saez | Sarah Andrew

Because he thought she showed athleticism and because she showed a tenacity in her debut, he threw caution to the wind and came to the Spa. The right decision.

“She broke running and put herself in the race,” Trombetta said. “She was way closer than I thought she would be. I thought Wesley's (trainer Ward) horses (Sadie Earp and Santina (Maclean's Music) would be going like a bat out of hell but that did not really happen.”

Guided by jockey Luis Saez, who had four winners on the Saturday card, In Her Glory was never worse than second and completed the distance in 1:03.55. She paid $17.20, $8.80 and $5.50.

In Her Glory is owned and bred by Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation. She is the first foal out of the mare Zonda (Scat Daddy).

When she was born, Weber could not tell what this smallish filly might be like.

“I could no more tell you that than I could fly,” Weber said with a laugh. “I had some 10 fillies, and you hope they come out alright and look alright. When you are in the breeding shed or the foaling shed you just hope you have a good baby and the birth comes alright.”

In Her Glory hangs on to win R6 at Saratoga at 7/1 under @luissaezpty for trainer @trombetta_mike! pic.twitter.com/isXSJtHR4r

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 16, 2025

The post Saratoga Maidens Presented by Keeneland: Small in Stature, but In Her Glory Shows She Can Run appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Off as the 6-5 chalk, the $240,000 Keeneland September purchase could have flaunted the same sort of speed he exhibited on his debut run, but instead was settled just off the pace by Rafael Hernandez, as the previously unbeaten Casson (Caravaggio) showed the way.

Traveling kindly on the back of the speed into the long Woodbine straight, it appeared as if Hernandez might duck to the inside of Casson, but instead he went for a run between rivals, squeezed through and kicked on nicely for a clear-cut victory. Argos (Nyquist), a debut winner sprinting over the Ellis Park turf for Riley Mott, ran home for third.

“This is a good horse,” said Attard, who was adding this to the King's Plate and the GII King Edward Stakes in the two races prior to the Soaring Free. “I think he's a very special horse. So far, everything's gone according to plan and this is another stepping stone. We will take it from here.

“It's been a fantastic day,” he said. “It's been a rough month. We had a lot of tough beats. We couldn't find the winner's circle. Luckily, today, everything kind of came together for us. The team puts in a lot of work and it's nice to see them get rewarded, as well. I couldn't be doing this without them. So, kudos to them and we're just going to enjoy the rest of the day.”

Attard said there is a temptation to send Two Out Hero south of the border for the rich purses available to Kentucky-breds at Kentucky Downs, but, quoting the Wizard of Oz, added, “there's no place like home.”

The Sept. 13 GI Summer Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf over a mile is the logical next port of call at Woodbine.

Originally a $175,000 purchase by Team Casse at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale in 2019, Song River was twice stakes-placed that season and was sold to this breeder for $90,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale in 2020. She is also the dam of a yearling Constitution filly that is catalogued as hip 1302 at Keeneland September and a filly foal by Cody's Wish. She visited Flightline this past breeding season.

Two Out Hero is the 119th worldwide stakes winner for Claiborne Farm stalwart War Front. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

BET365 SOARING FREE S., C$156,500, Woodbine, 8-16, 2yo, 6 1/2fT, 1:15.91, fm.
1–TWO OUT HERO, 120, c, 2, by War Front
1st Dam: Song River (MSP, $222,114), by Liam's Map
2nd Dam: Harlan's Honor, by Harlan's Holiday
3rd Dam: Indian Rush, by Indian Charlie
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. ($240,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Gold Square LLC; B-Corser Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Kevin Attard; J-Rafael Manuel Hernandez. C$90,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $97,683.
2–Casson, 122, c, 2, Caravaggio–Zee Ro Drop, by Lemon Drop Kid. ($200,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Manfred & Penny Conrad; B-Ballycroy Training Centre & Villa Rosa Farms (ON); T-Mark E Casse. C$36,000.
3–Argos, 120, c, 2, Nyquist–Athenian (Ire), by Acclamation (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. ($10,000 Ylg '24 FTKJUL; $165,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). O-David S Romanik; B-Green Lantern Stables, LLC (KY); T-Riley Mott. C$15,000.
Margins: 1HF, NK, 3/4. Odds: 1.20, 3.40, 4.70.
Also Ran: Rude Procedure, Jupiter, Baytown Dreamer, Jutland, Longhi, Mo Dodgy.

War Front (@claibornefarm) colt TWO OUT HERO ($4.40) impressed in the $150,000 Soaring Free Stakes at @WoodbineTB. Trainer @kevin_attard gets another win on the card! Rafael Hernandez was up on the two-year-old. pic.twitter.com/p01uqj8IOO

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 16, 2025

The post War Front’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Two Out Hero Shines In Soaring Free appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

#2 LITMUS TEST ($4.20) breaks his maiden on debut under @JJHernandezS19. The juvenile colt by @DarleyAmerica's Nyquist is trained by Bob Baffert. @MachmerHall @MadaketStables @StarlightRacing @StonestreetFarm pic.twitter.com/KxpAJkJDI3

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 16, 2025

The post Nyquist Colt Litmus Test Leads Home Baffert 1-2 In Del Mar Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Their aptly named colt 'TDN Rising Star' It's Our Time (Not This Time) produced the Mitchums' tale Saturday with a 17 3/4-length victory in the seventh race at Saratoga Race Course. Under Luis Saez, the Virginia-bred colt was the Mitchums' first career winner in their, yes, second start as owners. It's Our Time and Saez turned in their smoking performance in the $100,000 maiden special weight test for 2-year-olds, covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.63.

The Virginia Beach, Va. residents, lifelong racing fans, purchased their first horses 11 months ago at the Keeneland September sale. They secured It's Our Time, bred by South Gate Farm and recommended by trainer Tom Amoss, for $425,000.

“I've always loved horse racing,” Elza Mitchum said, “and my son and I just finally decided to go ahead and take the plunge.”

That plunge came after plenty of years or considering when to move from fan to participating.

“I wanted to do it all my life, but I figured I was young enough I could go ahead and start now,” Elza Mitchum said with a chuckle.

Hero Declared (Maclean's Music), the 3-5 favorite, broke on top and set early fractions of :21.99 and :44.78. He led It's Our Time by 1 1/2 lengths after the first quarter and a head after a half-mile. By that point, It's Our Time was rolling. He forged a 10-length lead in the stretch and, though he was geared down in the final furlong, he continued to extend his advantage over Hero Declared.

Amoss said that It's Our Time showed him he was ready for Saratoga's top test for 2-year-old maidens.

“He's a horse that really, really advanced when he got up to here, and you can see it in his workouts,” Amoss said. “I think the real tell was his work from the gate. He worked extremely nicely. I know (Hero Declared) was a very nice horse going into today. My guy's a little guy, but today, David got the best of Goliath. May not happen next time, but we got him today.”

The work that Amoss noted came on Aug. 2 when It's Our Time breezed a half mile in :47.83, the fourth-fastest of 153 at that distance that morning.

Alex Mitchum said that the colt touted them with his training.

“We were looking at the workout times and (Hero Declared) had good workout times, and so did we,” he said. “I think we had a really good break. You always have hope but you never know the trip around. I think Nelson's Penney (Munnings) on Wednesday, didn't get as good of a trip around. She was really boxed in the whole time. It really matters on how you break and get the trip around, but we're really happy with some of the splits that we are seeing in workouts.”

Nelson's Penny was the first starter for the Mitchums' Double Down Horse Racing. She ended up fifth in her debut. Four days later, It's Our Time and his owners broke their maidens with a jaw-dropping victory.

Alex Mitchum said his father decided he was ready to trying owning horses last year and started the process.

“He's always been a huge fan and taking us to Colonial Downs or Laurel when I was a kid. And we've gone to the Derby a couple times,” Alex Mitchum said. “He's a big fan of Tom Amoss, so he reached out one night. We started talking, and ended up at Keeneland last year, bought a couple horses and here we are.”

IT'S OUR TIME makes a statement in his debut!

He breaks his maiden in Race 7 for trainer @TomAmossRacing with Luis Saez aboard who gets his third win of the day. pic.twitter.com/cLqSmgvLsh

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 16, 2025

The post Saratoga Maidens Presented By Keeneland: It’s Our Time Gives Rookie Owners Runaway MSW Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Entering the race, it was largely billed as a showdown between the 'big three' and it more or less went that way during the running. Nitrogen entered the historic contest fresh off a heartbreaker in the July 5 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational over the course next door where a nose denied her a first Grade I victory. Her tour de force two back June 7 in a washed-off GIII Wonder Again Stakes was what originally inspired trainer Mark Casse to give his turf star a chance over the main track, and put Nitrogen squarely in the talks for a year-end championship honor in the U.S. after she was crowned Canada's champion juvenile filly last season.

Casse may well have gotten his wish with this performance.

Off well, but tasked with tracking stablemate La Cara (Street Sense) as that one zipped to the front, Nitrogen went wide into the first turn as the eager early leader set a slow :24.94 opening quarter, and posted an equally unhurried :49.70 half. With 7-5 favorite Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) watching the action unfold in third behind a 1:13.24 six-furlong split, the top placings were largely unchanged through the final bend but the 2-1 shot was looming as they spun into the lane.

Inhaling La Cara and wandering through the stretch, Nitrogen ultimately had more than enough to hold off Good Cheer, and the fillies gave their sire the exacta in the Grade I contest. Louisiana-bred Margie's Intention (Honor A. P.) came on in the lane to claim third.

“They went pretty slow early, which I thought would help La Cara, but Dylan [Davis] said Jose [Ortiz] was breathing down his throat the entire time,” said Casse. “Dylan knew what he had to do, I never talked or discussed anything with Jose, but I know Nitrogen had enough speed that she was going to be pretty close.”

“I've been coming here since I was 10 years old and the Alabama has always been huge. I can't even explain it. This [winning the Alabama] is all I've ever wanted to do since I was a little boy.”

Casse would not commit either way when asked about a dirt start for Nitrogen, only that he wanted to 'get through today' first and then they'd decide next steps.

Regarding La Cara's performance, Casse conceded that the quarantine which knocked her out of the CCA Oaks probably cost her to an extent. “I think maybe that's a little far for La Cara, but also, in fairness to her, not being able to run in the CCA Oaks [because of a strangles-related quarantine in her barn], probably hurt a little bit.”

Jose Ortiz only had glowing praise for his mount afterwards despite some her late race drifting. “When she gets by herself, she tries to get a little bit lost, but I had a clear lead. Luckily, I was clear and nothing happened. So I'll take it.”

“[The ceiling] can't get any higher–this horse won a Grade I on the dirt now, so it's amazing. Hopefully, she comes back, puts up another couple good few performances and gets 3-year-old filly of the year.”

“This was very impressive, beat some very good horses, and I'd think her next one would be dirt again, but let's see–you are voting, for not only the best 3-year-old, but maybe the best horse,” said Len Green of D J Stable. “Look at the record, look at how many wins, how many stakes wins…that's what you hope for. And of course, we have to give extra carrots to the broodmare because she made the whole thing.”

The Alabama goes to NITROGEN!

She wins the the Grade 1 Alabama presented by @keenelandsales under @jose93_ortiz for trainer @markecasse. pic.twitter.com/00ascYWfUV

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 16, 2025

Pedigree Note:

Out of stakes-placed Tiffany Case, an Uncle Mo half-sister to GSW & GISP Talk Veuve to Me (Violence), Nitrogen is her dam's second to the races and second graded runner. Elder half-sister Love to Shop (Violence) won the Listed Toronto Cup Stakes and was four-times placed at the graded level in Canada. Tiffany Case's most recent offspring is a yearling filly by Gun Runner named Sniper. She did not have a foal in 2025 and was bred to Not This Time for 2026.

This is the immediate female family of SW & MGSP Winning Point (Point Given) as well as Gilded Wings (Gilded Time), who produced a branch of the family that ultimately yielded Chilean Group 1-placed Good Runner (Chi) (Good Samaritan). Further back, this is also the family of English G1 St. Leger-placed Mountain Kingdom and GI Manhattan Handicap victor Cool.

Nitrogen is Medaglia d'Oro's 30th worldwide Grade I winner and his second in 2025 behind Good Cheer.

Saturday, Saratoga
ALABAMA S. PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES-GI, $600,000, Saratoga, 8-16, 3yo, f, 1 1/4m, 2:03.31, ft.
1–NITROGEN, 122, f, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro
                1st Dam: Tiffany Case (SP), by Uncle Mo
                2nd Dam: Biblical Point, by Point Given
                3rd Dam: Bibical Sense, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-D. J. Stable, LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $330,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo filly & GISP-Can, 10-6-2-2, $1,576,604. *1/2 to Love to Shop (Violence), SW & MGSP, $240,778. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Good Cheer, 122, f, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro
                1st Dam: Wedding Toast (MGISW, $1,419,956), by Street Sense
                2nd Dam: Golden Sheba, by Coronado's Quest
                3rd Dam: Mari's Sheba, by Mari's Book
O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $120,000.
3–Margie's Intention, 122, f, 3, by Honor A. P.
                1st Dam: Playful Dancer, by Into Mischief
                2nd Dam: Dance Hall Days, by Seeking Daylight
                3rd Dam: Dance Move, by Capote
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($57,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $185,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-WinStar Farm LLC and Tom Mueller; B-Coteau Grove Farms, LLC (LA); T-Brad H. Cox. $72,000.
Margins: 1HF, 6, 6HF. Odds: 2.05, 1.40, 8.60.
Also Ran: La Cara, Queen Azteca, Kinzie Queen.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Not Just the Queen of the Lawn: Nitrogen Claims First Elite Level Victory in Alabama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

And then, the unexpected. As the team made their way over to the winner's circle in the Woodbine infield, 72-year-old Bill Ulwelling collapsed on the track apron before having a chance to make his long-awaited pilgrimage across the track. The moments that ensued were in a word, frightening, and with a gaggle of onlookers crowding around, Woodbine officials and security attempted to keeping the throng at bay.

Several moments later, winning trainer Kevin Attard came sprinting back to check on his owner, red faced and visibly concerned, but was assured by paramedics that the situation was under control.

“They told me he was stable at that moment, and he was conscious,” said Attard. “I guess he knew to lay flat, which is what you are supposed to do it that situation. Luckily, it worked out well. I think maybe have been just a bit too much excitement.”

He continued, “From what the paramedics said, it seems his heart stopped while he was walking down to get his photo taken and greet the horse. He has a pacemaker and it can give you a shock, and it seems like that happened a few times.”

Ultimately, Bill was able to sit up, and was ushered off to the local hospital for further examination, without having been able to partake in the celebratory moment in the winner's enclosure.

“The pacemaker saved his life today,” said Al Ulwelling via text later in the evening.

It would seem there was a much bigger victory won by the Ulwellings Saturday afternoon.

Moran Offers a Textbook Ride on Mansetti

In the days leading up to the King's Plate, the question that kept coming up time and again was whether Mansetti would be able to last the 10-furlong distance. Earlier in the week, Attard said that the colt's progress from two to three and his gallop out following his latest victory in the GIII Marine Stakes were among the main reasons that he expected the colt to be able to handle the assignment. However, the masses did not listen.

Sent off an overlaid 18-1 chance in the field of 13, the Ontario-bred took backseat to 7-2 choice Notorious Gangster (Classic Empire) marginally ahead of second choice No Time (Not This Time), impressive winner of the Woodbine Oaks in her latest start. Others taking some play at the window, 5-1 third choice Tom's Magic (Justify), winner of Monmouth's grassy Tale of the Cat Stakes in June, Plate Trial Stakes winner Sedburys Ghost (Shaman Ghost) and last season's Cup and Saucer victor Ashley's Archer (Karakontie {Jpn}), both installed as 7-1 shots.

Cleanly away, it was 15-1 chance Scorching (Mo Town) who got first jump, leading the field through an opening quarter mile in a crisp :22.93. However, by the time they made it to the first turn, Mansetti scooted up along the inside, and was nursed along by jockey Pietro Moran as Scorching prompted the issue to his outside. Meanwhile, the sole filly in the field was in a covered-up position just behind as the pacesetter threw down a half in :47.45. Spurting clear at the quarter pole, Mansetti was given a reminder by Moran in early stretch as Scorching started to weaken while Tom's Magic began to unfurl his long chestnut legs from the back of the field.

Appearing to be free and clear rolling down the lane, Tom's Magic swallowed up ground with every stride, and despite closing like a freight train late, he was unable to catch the front-runner, who finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead at the wire. Notorious Gangster closed to be third, two lengths behind, and Scorching rounded out the Super. No Time faded to finish ninth.

Mansetti ($38.70) goes gate-to-wire and upsets at 18/1 in the 166th King's Plate at @woodbinetb! #KP25

Pietro Moran was aboard for trainer @kevin_attard and owners @UlwellingRacing! pic.twitter.com/6FPJuTvrD3

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 16, 2025

Saturday represented a banner day for trainer Kevin Attard, who also won the GII King Edward Stakes with Gas Me Up one race after the Plate, and the Soaring Free Stakes with Two Out Hero one race later.

Fellow Attard runners Dewolf (Silent Name {Jpn}) was fifth, while Faber (Improbable) finished sixth.

“It turned out to be a great day,” said Attard, who was winning his third Plate after wins with Moira and Caitlinhergrtness. “We had been in a bit of a slump with horses getting beat by a lot or just not running up to expectations. It's been a little frustrating. You just have to keep doing what you know works and keep pounding the pavement. Luckily, things started to roll and gave us a nice little hat trick in the day.”

As for the break down of the race, Attard explained, “When I saw the first quarter I was concerned we were going a little too quick. But then I was pleased with the half time. After that, I could see the horse was in his rhythm, so I wasn't really watching the time at that point. The idea was to get off the rail in case somebody wanted the lead, for them to take it and we get cover. But he really wanted to go. Scorching kind of pressed. Pietro did a really good job getting him to relax.”

A first-up winner at Woodbine last September, Mansetti finished off-the-board in the Display Stakes but bounced back to take the six-furlong Clarendon Stakes against Ontario breds in October.

This season, he was a distant fifth after a troubled start in the one-mile Jerome Stakes at the Big A before winning by four lengths in Woodstock Stakes over six panels in April. Well supported in the Queenston Stakes June 8, the bay had an equipment malfunction early, leading to a forgettable fifth behind Notrious Gangster.

Let go at 5-1 while contesting two turns for the first time in his career in the GIII Marine Stakes, he got the best of Scorching by a length.

Mansetti entering the winner's enclosure for the King's Plate | Michael Burns photo

“I would have probably laughed, you know. This horse really changed from two to three when he got back to Woodbine this season to start his 3-year-old campaign,” said Attard. “He was just acting differently. He showed a lot of talent from a young age, and I really thought he was going to be a good horse, but he just got so kind of keen and eager as a baby that you didn't think he'd stretch out. Luckily for us, he matured nicely over the wintertime, and into his 3-year-old year, he's just kind of figured things out.”

He continued, “We trained him with the [King's Plate] in mind and I am proud with the job we did with him. There had been some doubt if he could go that far. With the seven weeks in between, it all worked out really well.”

According to Attard, Mansetti will likely target the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie Sept. 9. Contested on the dirt, the second leg in the Canadian Triple Crown is conducted over 1 mile 3/16ths.

“Honestly, I am not that concerned about the dirt,” Attard admitted. “The shorter distance should help him too, and he trains over the dirt. He hasn't been working over it obviously because we were focusing on this race. We'll just enjoy the moment and let him dictate if he is ready to proceed on to the next leg.”

He added, “I haven't been able to lead a Plate winner back into the Prince of Wales, so I am definitely looking for to it. And maybe winning a Triple Crown.”

His final statement begged the question whether the 1 1/2-mile Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine Sept. 28 might also be in the cards.

“That is probably stretching it for him,” he laughed. “But you have to go one race at a time. We've got the first leg down and we'll see what'll happen with the second.”

The victory also represented the first victory for Moran, who finished fourth aboard Pierre in last year's King's Plate. Making the victory even sweeter, the 20-year-old rider was facing his father, David, in Saturday's Classic. With the elder Moran aboard William T (Frosted, eighth), it was the first time a father and son were riding against each other in the Plate.

“I am very proud of him,” said Attard. “To accomplish this kind of feat at this young of an age. It is a testament to what the future holds for him.”

Moran, who started racing in 2023, rounded out Saturday's card with 66 wins, leading all riders at the oval.

“He is just a natural,” concluded Attard. “He has also worked hard to get to where he is today even though it hasn't really been that long of a journey for him. He deserves it. Winning the Plate is very special. But winning it with Pietro, is just that much more.”

Pedigree Notes:

Mansetti, a $40,000 purchase at the OBS Spring Sale last season, is out of Gidget Girl, also the dam of dual stakes winner Staright Up G (Straight Fire). Bred by Jim Rome's Jungle Racing, the Ontario-bred colt also has an unraced juvenile half-brother by Maxfield, in addition to a foal brother by Simplification. The Sky Mesa mare was bred back to Simplification.

Saturday, Woodbine
KING'S PLATE S., C$1,002,500, Woodbine, 8-16, (C), 3yo, 1 1/4m (AWT), 2:03.68, ft.
1–MANSETTI, 126, c, 3, by Collected
           1st Dam: Gidget Girl, by Sky Mesa
           2nd Dam: Surfer Girl (Brz), by Wild Event
           3rd Dam: Australian Girl (Arg), by Lode
($40,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Al and Bill Ulwelling; B-Jungle Racing, LLC (ON); T-Kevin Attard; J-Pietro Moran. C$600,000. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-5-0-0, $689,872. *1/2 to Straight Up G (Straight Fire), MSW, $209,660.
2–Tom's Magic, 126, c, 3, Justify–Dixie Chicken, by Rahy. ($200,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-CJ Thoroughbreds and Mo Speed Racing; B-Sean Fitzhenry & Dorothy Fitzhenry (ON); T-Michael Stidham. C$200,000.
3–Notorious Gangster, 126, c, 3, Classic Empire–Sister Nova, by Verrazano. O-Mark Dodson; B-Mark Dodson (ON); T-Josie Carroll. C$100,000.
Margins: 2HF, 2, NK. Odds: 18.35, 5.80, 3.50.
Also Ran: Scorching, Dewolf, Faber, Watsonville Red, William T, No Time, Runaway Again, Sedburys Ghost, Mythical Man, Ashley's Archer.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Mansetti Gives Ulwellings Emotional First Plate Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Sovereignty had his final work before next weekend's $1.25 million GI Travers Stakes Saturday morning at the Oklahoma Training Track. As usual, he was being ridden by Neil Poznansky, the assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Alvarado, helping the barn out, climbed aboard Fort Nelson (Bernardini), who was Sovereignty's workmate for the five-furlong move. Sovereignty was timed in 1:01.82 (7/13) and Fort Nelson was clocked in 1:01.90 (8/13).

“I was on a nice horse, and I tried to catch him, but it was impossible,” Alvarado said after the work, sitting in a golf cart with his agent Mike Sellitto. “I thought my horse worked great. That other horse…he is just different. It seemed like he was toying with us the whole time.”

Mott was certainly pleased with how Sovereignty, who broke a length in front of his workmate. After getting back to the barn area and watching Sovereignty cool out, he was reminded of how his stable star looked before another big race.

.@KentuckyDerby⁩, ⁦@BelmontStakes⁩ winner@Sovereignty inside, works before next week's Travers.
Neil Poznansky, assistant to HOF trainer Bill Mott is on board. Working with Fort Nelson with ⁦@JuniorandKellyA⁩, Sovereignty's jockey. 5F in 1:01.82. ⁦@theTDN⁩ pic.twitter.com/BkxQLYh66F

— Tim Wilkin (@tjwilkin) August 16, 2025

“He looks very much like he looked going into the Belmont,” Mott said. “He has been training good this last week. Aggressive, up in the bridle. He worked good. It was what we were looking for.”

Sovereignty, owned by Godolphin, is rolling into the Travers with three straight wins and four of five for the year. In his last start, he won the GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga by a length; before that, he was a three-length winner in the GI Belmont Stakes.

The Travers is 1 1/4-miles, the same distance as the GI Kentucky Derby, which he won by 1 1/2 lengths on the first Saturday in May. When entries are taken on Sunday, it is expected that just four will try to challenge him.

“Well, his record, I suppose,” Mott said when asked if Sovereignty is scaring off competition. “It's in black and white, what he's done. I'm sure some people figure there are probably easier places to run, but not everybody's fleeing. There are some horses in there that are OK. It's not a done deal.”

Horses expected to enter include the Chad Brown-trained Strategic Focus (Gun Runner), Magnitude (Not This Time) from Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, the Vicki Oliver-trained Bracket Buster (Vekoma) and McAfee (Cloud Computing) from the barn of Rick Dutrow.

“(Sovereignty) is the horse to beat, but, at the same token, they've got to go around there,” Mott said. “He has to do it in the afternoon. That's why they're going to run the race. Otherwise, they would just hand us the trophy, but they don't ever do that.”

Locked (outside) and Fierceness (inside) | Sarah Andrew

Mindframe, Antiquarian Aiming at JCGC; Pletcher May Have More

With two weeks to go, it looks as though Mindframe (Constitution) and Antiquarian (Preservationist) are bound for the GI, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Todd Pletcher, their Hall of Fame trainer, said they might have some company in the starting gate on the final weekend of the Saratoga meet.

Stablemates Fierceness (City of Light) and Locked (Gun Runner) could also end up there.

“I've got to look at that,” Pletcher said outside his office at his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track Saturday morning when asked about having four in the race. “As of today, it's possible, but I don't think it will happen.”

All four of his older horse heavyweights–they are all 4-year-olds–worked Saturday morning just after 7 a.m. on the main track Fierceness and Locked came first and worked in company, both getting four furlongs in 47.66 (3/134). Mindframe and Antiquarian followed with a five-furlong breeze. They were both timed in 1:01.50 (15/27).

Pletcher said that Fierceness, owned by Repole Stable, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier, will be considered for just about everything on the upcoming schedule. Besides the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Pletcher will look at the GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar, on Aug. 30 and the GII Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs and the GII Woodward Stakes at Aqueduct, both on Sept. 27.

His goal would be to keep Fierceness and Mindframe  — owned by Repole Stable and St, Elias Stables LLC — separated until the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in November. Fierceness finished fifth in the GI Whitney Stakes on Aug. 2; Mindframe, undefeated in three starts this year, won his last race, the GI Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 28.

“It would be a way of not running him and Mindframe against each other,” Pletcher said about possibly sending Fierceness out West. “Obviously there are some logistics that would have to fall into place nicely for that to happen, but I think it's worth looking into it, Fierceness is on the Jockey Club Gold Cup trail, but he is also on the Pacific Classic trail. Both are possibilities or both are neither.”

He said he would also consider sending Locked, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm, to the Pacific Classic. First, though, that would have to get the ok from Aron Wellman, the leader of Eclipse. He also owns Journalism (Curlin), one of the top 3-year-olds in the country who could be headed to the Pacific Classic.

Antiquarian, owned by Centennial Farms, and Locked finished second and third in their last starts, the GII Suburban Stakes at Saratoga on the Fourth of July.

“We are blessed to have some high-quality older horses,” Pletcher said. “We came into the year hoping we would have a successful campaign with them. Mindframe has been the most successful so far, but you know how this is. You've got to keep winning.”

Future Is Now before the Smart And Fancy | Sarah Andrew

Aptly named Future Is Now Just Keeps on Winning

On Saturday morning, a 5-year-old mare named Future Is Now (Great Notion) poked her head out of her stall when she heard the rustling of a peppermint being unwrapped.

One of the workers at trainer Michael Trombetta's barn smiled and said, “not more than five.”

Future Is Now got her allotment but probably deserved a few more. She earned them after what she did on Thursday when she won the listed $150,000 Smart And Fancy at Saratoga.

It was her 10th win in 16 career starts on turf and improved her record at 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass to seven wins in 10 tries. It was her fourth win in six starts at Saratoga.

“You know, she has been a lot of fun,” trainer Michael Trombetta said at his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track. “She has exceeded everyone's expectations. To get a horse that wins as often as she does and does it like she does … they just don't come around too often.”

Future Is Now is owned by the Estate of R. Larry Johnson. Larry Johnson, a Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred breeder, passed away in February at the age of 78. He bred Future Is Now and was also the breeder of top older horse Mindframe (Constitution), a Maryland-bred.

Trombetta said the next start for his stable star will likely be the GII Franklin Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 12. Future Is Now won that race last year; she was also a repeat winner of the Smart And Fancy.

He said she is not nominated to run in the GI Breeders Cup Turf Sprint.

“When Larry was here that might have been a possibility,” Trombetta said. “Not being nominated is a bit of a hurdle. I would imagine she would be respected with the boys but it's a little bit of a challenge for the girls to run against these males.”

Future Is Now will leave Saratoga for Trombetta's base at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland on Monday. He hopes that if all goes well, she will run as a 6-year-old.

“You know, I never expect any of them to win,” he said. “I hope they will win. It's a big deal to win (at Saratoga). You can win four or five at one of the Mid-Atlantic tracks and no one even notices. You win here, you get 30 text messages.”

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When handicappers and bettors took a look at the past performances for the fourth race at Saratoga Race Course, $100,000 maiden special weight 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs, they saw that Tennessee Belle was a 3 1/4-length second in her debut on July 26. And that loss was to 'TDN Rising Star' Tommy Jo (Into Mischief), a most impressive maiden winner this meet.

Tennessee Belle, trained by John Alexander Ortiz for Boyd Racing, went off as the even-money favorite in the field of seven and cruised to a 7 1/4-length victory. Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario and Tennessee Belle completed the gate-to-wire romp in 1:10.74 and paid $4.10. All About You (Maclean's Music), the longest shot in the field at 25-1, was second.

Ortiz smiled broadly as he acknowledged that his filly's race versus Tommy Jo, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, pretty much confirmed that his assessment of her talent was spot-on.

John Ortiz | Sarah Andrew

“We were going into the first race very prepared and very confident,” Ortiz said. “We got word that Pletcher liked his filly as well in that race, and we ran second to, I think, a very fantastic animal, to give credit where credit is due. It reassured me that we were sitting on a nice filly, as well.

“We were actually planning on running her next week, but we saw this race was coming up, and she came out of that race in fantastic shape, didn't miss a beat, didn't miss a meal. I said, 'You know what? We'll just use this as a stepping stone for our next race, which hopefully is a stakes.'”

Bloodstock agent Billy Love purchased Tennessee Belle as a short yearling at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February sale for $160,000, then brought her to Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, where she RNA'd for $385,000. Randy Boyd purchased her privately after the sale.

“Mr. Boyd got involved and the rest is history,” Ortiz said. “I think we have a very promising future with Boyd Racing in the industry itself. We are looking forward to all his horses that are coming up.”

Equibase stats show Tennessee Belle is Boyd's only starter this year.

“When she came in, she caught our eyes right away,” Ortiz said. “She's not the tallest, but she's very well-balanced, a really good physique to her. She's got amazing angles and lines. Anything you could look for in a good horse, they're all there. But, more importantly, she's got a great demeanor. She's very quiet, docile in the stall, but once she steps on the track, she puts her business face on and it's game time.

“She trains incredibly well in hand. Just very smart all the way around. I've had a lot of fillies that just act the same way, like her, Brightwork (Outwork) and Quietside (Malibu Moon) and many other fillies. I just think it's a great trait for a filly to have: be smart in the mornings and be all game when it's time to play.”

Tennessee Belle was bred in Kentucky by Breeze Easy LLC out of Belle Gallantey (After Market). She is yet another winner for Yaupon (Uncle Mo), the very successful first-crop sire. Ortiz said he was immediately impressed with the Yaupons headed to market.

“They all caught our eyes,” Ortiz said. “I would say we tried to catch a couple. I think that Yaupon has got a tremendous future ahead of himself.”

Tennessee Belle dominates today in R4 at Saratoga! @johnnyortiz24 trains and @jrosariojockey was aboard. pic.twitter.com/3NZCqkMNIw

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 16, 2025

The post Saratoga Maidens Presented By Keeneland: Battled Tested Tennessee Belle Easily Handles Spa MSW Field appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.