In an exhibition of pure sprinting prowess, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) brought all his power to bear on his rivals on Friday to register back-to-back successes in Goodwood's G2 King George Qatar S. Despite the contrasting ground conditions to the easy turf he encountered 12 months ago and the obvious questions posed by defeat in the June 19 G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot, the bay attracted heavy support as the 8-11 favourite and was in front before he had raced two...
The 17th edition of the Claiming Crown, held Saturday at Gulfstream Park, generated total handle of $10,118,000--up 0.57% from 2014 despite rainy conditions which caused four races to be taken off the turf. Gulfstream was hosting the event for the fourth year. "We're extremely pleased with the success of Saturday's Claiming Crown," said P.J. Campo, General Manager of Gulfstream Park and Vice President of Racing for The Stronach Group. "We had big fields and tremendous participation from horsemen throughout North America. We're confident the numbers would have been even more...
It can be hazardous to one's betting bankroll to drink the hype-flavored Kool-Aid that flows freely when an undefeated sophomore with limited experience wins a nine-furlong prep for the GI Kentucky Derby in eye-catching fashion. Yet despite the well-documented risks against backing horses who have made only two lifetime starts prior to the first Saturday in May, Emerging Market just might be the type of real-deal, rapidly rising phenom to convince me to saunter over to the punch bowl and try a sip. In the case of this ''TDN Rising...
And you thought a March Madness-esque upset would be limited to basketball. A proverbial 16 seed nearly took down the favorite in the Louisiana Region when maiden winner and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}), the narrow 2-1 favorite, had to gut out a win over 21-1 longshot Pavlovian (Pavel) to win Saturday's GII Louisiana Derby by a head. Named a 'Rising Star' for his debut win at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 7 that netted him an eye-catching 97 Beyer Speed Figure, Triple Crown-nominated Emerging...
Paladin (Gun Runner), most recently winner of the GII Risen Star Stakes, and GII Fountain of Youth Stakes runner-up Chief Wallabee (Constitution) were 8-1 co-favorites when the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5 closed Sunday evening. The Chad Brown-trained Paladin, who runs next in the Apr. 4 GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, had $25,772 in Win bets, while the Bill Mott-trained Chief Wallabee, scheduled to make his next start in the Feb. 28 GI Curlin Florida Derby, handled $24,790--a difference of just $982. Next in the wagering was...
In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Indigo Woods at Fair Grounds. Blue Is the Colour Larry Rodgers and Coast Racing's Indigo Woods (Blue Point) prevailed by a half-length and maintained her perfect record in the Allen Black Cat LaCombe Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds on March 7 (video). A winner of a Churchill maiden in October, the Brendan Walsh trainee was bred by Tinnakill House. The 10th foal out...
Turf mares sure know how to put on a show. It came down to a blanket finish in the GII Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, but Destino d'Oro (Bolt d'Oro) showed her heart with an ultra-game performance to win the photo. Crowned the 2026 queen of the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational Stakes in her most recent performance, via an equally exciting finish no less, the Brad Cox filly has now strung together three consecutive wins. The first of the group was a head decision...
1st-AQU, 80K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:10 p.m. FUSION (Into Mischief), the second foal out of MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Separationofpowers, debuts Sunday in New York for the partnership of Qatar Racing and Mountmellick Farm and trainer Chad Brown. The mare has already produced a winner from her first foal, this filly's full-brother, Poulsen, who went Japan's way for $925,000 at OBS April in 2024. Separationofpowers sold to Hunter Valley Farm for $2.1-million at Fasig-Tipton's November Sale in 2019 before going back through that same ring...
Spendthrift Farm's 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Further Ado (Gun Runner), a smashing 20-length maiden winner at Keeneland last fall and workmanlike winner of the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 29, launches his 3-year-old campaign in Saturday's GIII Esmark Tampa Bay Derby. The $275,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $550,000 OBS April breezer has posted six workouts at trainer Brad Cox's Payson Park base for his return, including a bullet five furlongs in 1:01 (1/28) Feb. 21. Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the call from post...
INSTABILITY (IRE) (c, 3, Lope de Vega {Ire}--Miss Katie Mae {Ire} {SW-Can, GSP-Ire, MSP-USA, $166,139}, by Dark Angel {Ire}) was made the 6-5 favorite for this unveiling and did not disappoint his supporters with a strong performance over the Tampa lawn. A 440,000gns ($591,663) purchase at the Tattersalls October yearling sale in 2024, the son of leading sire Lope de Vega (Ire) set up comfortably in mid-pack as the frontrunners posted opening splits of :23.14 and a half-mile in :47.67. He steadily improved his position from there behind six panels...
2nd-TAM, $60k, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 12:45 p.m. ET ACE FROM SPACE (Into Mischief) brings both an imposing pedigree and worktab into this career debut. The Stonestreet homebred is the latest runner out of the SW & GSP Glinda the Good (Hard Spun), whose four winners includes dual Grade I-winning champion and leading sire Good Magic (Curlin). Glinda the Good is herself a half-sister to GSW and stakes-producing Take the Ribbon (Chester House) and SW & GSPs Flash Forward (Curlin) and Flash Mash (Smarty Jones). Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the call...
We edge inside the two-month mark to the GI Kentucky Derby with a well-bunched Top 12 hurtling toward more lucrative qualifying points races at longer distances. 1) PALADIN (c, Gun Runner--Secret Sigh, by Tapit) O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith, and Summer Wind Equine, LLC; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. Sales history: $1,900,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG. Lifetime record: MGSW, 3-3-0-0, $848,250. Last start: WON Feb. 14 GII Risen Star Stakes. The 3-for-3 Paladin has racked up two wins in nine-furlong...
Among the top trainers on the New York circuit for decades, John Kimmel has announced his retirement. Citing the economic difficulties facing many trainers these days, Kimmel, 71, said he would devote his time to building his business as a bloodstock agent. Kimmel has been doing double duty over the last three or four years, continuing his training operation while acting as a bloodstock agent to outside clients. While training full-time, he was known for having a keen eye when it came to picking horses out at the sales, including...
St. Elias Stable, William H. Lawrence and Glassman Racing's Iron Honor (Nyquist) earned 50 points to the Kentucky Derby when winning Saturday's GIII Gotham at Aqueduct. According to Michele Dollase, assistant to trainer Chad Brown, the colt came out of the race in good order. "He came out of the race great. He ate up and looks good this morning," said Dollase. "We're on to the next race. As of right now, he is good. He came out of the race really good." Brown said post-race he will keep the...