Keeneland September

7th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 7-19, 2yo, 6f, 1:11.83, ft, 1 length. EMPHASIS (c, 2, Yaupon--Connie and Michael {GISP, $136,860}, by Roman Ruler), who was unveiled as a 5-1 shot here alongside the pricey 'Insighted' first-timer Stradale (Yaupon), broke inward and briefly cutoff his opponent which resulted in the colt gaining the lead up the backstretch. The juvenile continued to make every pole a winning one through the top of the lane. Digging deep inside the final sixteenth, the dark bay felt some mild pressure from the debuting Growth Equity (Nyquist), but...

The recipient of a textbook, ground-saving ride from Hector Berrios, Game Warrior (Game Winner) threaded the needle in the stretch and outbattled an unlucky Iron Man Cal (Collected) to the line in the traditional opening-day feature of the Del Mar summer meeting, the restricted Oceanside Stakes. Equipped with the blinkers that were removed for the first time in his career when a closing third to Day and Age (Omaha Beach) as the tepid favorite in a one-mile Santa Anita allowance on June 13, the dark bay colt was allowed to...

3rd-Colonial Downs, $73,600, Msw, 7-18, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 1:18.46, gd, 6 1/2 lengths. CHANNEL THE MUSIC (c, 2, Maclean's Music--Empress Eleanor, by Empire Maker) finished a closing third on debut over a muddy main track at Monmouth Park June 22. In career start number two, the colt broke alertly, settling just off the speed up the backstretch. Making steady progress around the far turn, the even-money favorite took command at the top of the stretch, kicking away from rivals when called on for his best. Runner-up American Tapit (American Pharoah)...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kokura and Hakodate Racecourses: Saturday, July 19, 2025 5th-KOK, ¥14,250,000 ($96k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT OUT THE LAW (c, 2, Tiz the Law--Davida, by Animal Kingdom) is closely related to Social Code (Constitution), twice stakes-placed in Canada this season, and is...

She was the seventh highest-priced Gun Runner at Keeneland September last year, and Glory Me more than justified that price tag here as she effortlessly cruised home to 'TDN Rising Star' honors on unveiling at Ellis Park. Giving the crew trouble before the race but eventually convinced to load, she hit the gate coming out and was content to watch the pace unfold from the back of a tightly bunched group as they went up the backstretch behind an opening quarter in :22.08. Pinched back as quarters got tight entering...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this Saturday running at Fukushima Racecourse: Saturday, July 12, 2025 6th-FKS, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1150m OSLO QUEEN (f, 2, Liam's Map--Take Ten, by Uncle Mo) is out of a stakes-placed mare who was acquired by Dr. David and Betty-Gayle Williams' Forever Spring Farm...

The white-hot Flavien Prat conjured up one final lunge from distant second favorite Fionn (Twirling Candy) and nabbed long-odds on choice Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) right on the wire to take out Saturday's $500,000 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. It was the fifth victory on the program for the reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey. Opulent Restraint (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) won the break and stepped away to open a clear lead turning down the back from Totally Justified (Justify) and a three-wide Nitrogen, as Prat settled Fionn in the...

Taking the vast majority of the pari-mutuel activity with the scratching of his would-be chief market rival Bento Express (Jpn) (Drefong), D J Stable, West Point Thorougbreds and Kenneth Frierich's Ewing (c, 2, Knicks Go--Sassy Ali Joy, by Indian Charlie) made light work of his four remaining rivals, streaking through the final furlong under mild urging to score by a dozen lengths en route to 'TDN Rising Star' honors in the Saturday opener from Saratoga. Favored at 35-100 and carrying the D J colors for the debut, the $585,000 OBS...

4th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 2:14 p.m. ET. In a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs on closing day there are a bevy of options among two handfuls of first-time starters. Leading the way is SEAL BAY (Munnings), who went for $625,000 during Keeneland September, and is now owned by St. Elias and Starlight. Sent to trainer Brendan Walsh, the colt's second dam is MGSW One Caroline (Unbridled's Song) and his extended female family includes Japanese MSW Master Fencer (Jpn) (Justa Way {Jpn}). I Did I Did (Curlin) claims as...

2nd-Churchill Downs, $112,927, Msw, 6-20, 2yo, 5fT, :56.33, fm, 5 1/2 lengths. LONGSHOREMAN (c, 2, Twirling Candy--Lady Pauline, by Munnings) squandered a four-length advantage in the final furlong to finish a disappointing and money-burning second to Listed Windsor Castle Stakes also-ran Tough Critic (Caravaggio) on Keeneland debut Apr. 24. The betting public's darling here at 1-2, the $260,000 Keeneland September graduate was in front in a matter of strides and took them along at a solid early gallop. Awaiting word from Irad Ortiz, Jr. as they neared the entrance to...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Tokyo and Hanshin Racecourses: Saturday, June 21, 2025 6th-TOK, ¥14,250,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m ARCADIA CAFE (c, 2, Into Mischief--Mary's Follies, by More Than Ready) is a half-brother to seven winners from eight to race and is a half-brother to...

While it is neither the habit nor the place of this column to cite scripture, words that some of you may have heard last Sunday should resonate with everyone in this game: "Endurance produces character, and character produces hope." Certainly we wouldn't have much of a business if the reverses we endure could not be parlayed into those attributes. We often refer to the Turf as "character-forming," which always feels rather ambivalent. After all, we might easily find ourselves turning into quite unpleasant characters! But a persevering nature tends to...