Del Mar

July 30 Insights: Well-Bred Juveniles Debut Coast-to-Coast

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency MCGAUGHEY UNVEILS SON OF STAR PUPIL 1st-SAR, $105K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:05 p.m. EDT Shug McGaughey unveils a colt by one of his top former pupils in CAPTURE THE FLAG (Quality Road). He is the second foal out of American Grade I winner and European Group 3 winner War Flag (War Front), who is a full to G1SW Lines of Battle. She is also a half to GSW Homebound (Dixie Union) and SW & GSP Blue Exit (Pulpit). Ian Wilkes also saddles a well-bred...

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Shah Bringing His 'Best' to Del Mar

Kaleem Shah went to $1.8 million to acquire a pair of powerful-looking :9 4/5 breezers from the OBS March 2-Year-Old Sale earlier this spring. Both are expected to be in action this summer at Del Mar. Arman (Bolt d'Oro), a $600,000 OBS March graduate and the first of the highly regarded duo to make the races, debuted with a visually impressive 'TDN Rising Star' performance at Churchill Downs June 23. Named after Shah's son, the bay is being aimed at the GIII Best Pal S. Aug. 14. Shah, ahem, clearly...

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Summer Breezes: July 24, 2022

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at both Saratoga and Del Mar and even at Ellis Park, which attracts its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Already this year at Saratoga, City Man (Mucho Macho Man), Mo Strike (Uncle Mo) and Empress Tigress (Classic...

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Saturday Insights: Into Mischief Colt Tops Salty Spa Maiden

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 6th-SAR, $105K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 3:51 p.m. ET A full field of 10 is signed on for this typically loaded Saturday maiden at the Spa. PHELPSY (Into Mischief) goes out for the partnership of William Lawrence, Jeff Drown and Three Chimneys Farm LLC, who gave an even $1 million for the colt through agent Mike Ryan  at last year's Keeneland September Sale. The bay is the second produce from the turf SW & GSP Secret Someone (A.P. Indy), whose SW dam Private Gift...

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Summer Breezes: July 23, 2022

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at both Saratoga and Del Mar and even at Ellis Park, which attracts its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Already this year at Saratoga, City Man (Mucho Macho Man), Mo Strike (Uncle Mo) and Empress Tigress (Classic...

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Jockey Karaoke Night is Back for PDJF Benefit

Jockeys know how to warm up their mounts, but they're also warming up their vocal cords in Saratoga and Del Mar in advance of the third annual "Riders Up! Battle of East-vs-West" jockey karaoke contests to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).The Saratoga jockeys are first out of the gate Sunday, July 31 at Vapor Night Club. NYRA track announcer Tom Durkin will emcee, and this year's judges are LRE Racing, racehorse owner Lee Einsidler, trainer Graham Motion, New York Racing Association Fox Sports host Laffit Pincay III, and...

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Josh Rubinstein Q&A: “There's a Lot of Good News”

For 85 years already, surf and turf have been kissing cousins at Del Mar, and Friday anoints the latest rekindling of that summer fling at the SoCal seaside venue. To discuss the meet--which runs through Sept. 11--the TDN sat down with Josh Rubinstein, president of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, who spoke field size, purse bonuses, stabling and a certain high-flying trainee. The following has been edited for brevity and clarity. TDN: Opening day is Friday with a sold-out crowd and an impressive average field size of 11 horses per-race....

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Summer Breezes: July 22, 2022

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at both Saratoga and Del Mar and even at Ellis Park, which attracts its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Already this year at Saratoga, City Man (Mucho Macho Man), Mo Strike (Uncle Mo) and Empress Tigress (Classic...

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Jockeys to Pay Tribute to National Disability Independence Day, Fundraise for PDJF July 30

Jockeys competing on Saturday, July 30 (or another mutually agreed upon date that week at racetracks not racing that day) will pay tribute to National Disability Independence Day and raise awareness and funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Last year's event raised more than $50,000 at racetracks across the country. Jockeys at some 20 racetracks are expected to participate in various activities to support the PDJF while also saluting National Disability Independence Day, which marks the 32nd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Throughout...

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'Ship & Win' Program To Be Offered at Santa Anita Fall Meet

Santa Anita Park will once again offer its 'Ship & Win' program, which has successfully attracted significant numbers of horses based outside of California over the last two years, at the track's 18-day fall meeting, which is set to begin Friday, Sept. 30. The program offers a $5,000 bonus for eligible horses making his or her first start, and a 35% bonus, excluding stakes races, is also available. The 'Ship & Win' program is a joint venture with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. "Ship and Win has proven to be...

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Imports a Key Pillar of Phil D'Amato's Winning Strategy

Plenty of imports into the clogged Southern California shipping terminals of Los Angeles and Long Beach have been left idle these past few months, collateral damage in a supply-side bottle-neck. Imports into the Southern California stable of Phil D'Amato, on the other hand, have been far more effectively commandeered. "It's a really good strategy for owners to help them make money and have fun in the process," says D'Amato, caught mid-morning between scrutinizing his trainees jog a dusty Santa Anita horse-path under a blazing hot sun and a scouting trip...

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Rubinstein to Receive TOC Award

Josh Rubinstein has been selected by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) as recipient of the 2021 Ed Friendly Industry Service Award. The award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions and service in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Originally known as the TOC Chairman's Award, it was renamed for the television producer, Thoroughbred owner and TOC founding member following his death in 2007. Among former awardees are some of the most prominent names in Southern California racing, including Mace Siegel, John Harris, Bob and Beverly Lewis, Jerry and Ann Moss,...

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