Keeneland

Tackling near two and a quarter miles for the first time, Team Valor and Gary Barber's Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}) excelled at the trip to win Friday's G2 bet365 Doncaster Cup and stake his claim as a major player in the staying category. Always travelling easily in fifth for William Buick, the 6-4 favourite who had won the Aug. 20 Listed Chester S. after his move to Andrew Balding loomed alongside Selino (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) with purpose having already travelled two miles. Sent into the clear from there,...

Proving her stamina for 14 furlongs when winning Leopardstown's Listed Vinnie Roe S. Aug. 13, Scott Heider's Pista (American Pharoah) overcame inexperience to follow up in a competitive renewal of Doncaster's G2 bet365 Park Hill Fillies' S. on Thursday. Anchored in last early by William Buick, the 6-1 shot was delivered towards the stand's side to gain the lead in the final 100 yards and despite running away from the whip scored by 1 1/2 lengths from Vivionn (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), with the 11-8 favourite Believe In Love (Ire) (Make...

As far as marketing for a nascent, unorthodox racehorse ownership venture goes, you couldn't do much better than a horse carrying your silks into the Churchill Downs infield as the GI Kentucky Derby winner. That's what Michael Behrens experienced Saturday, as Authentic (Into Mischief), bought into by his MyRacehorse microshare partnership in June, fought off favored Tiz the Law (Constitution) past the Twin Spires to earn the garland of roses. Wednesday, Behrens joined the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland as the Green Group Guest of the Week to...

Keeneland will start accepting entries of horses of racing age for its first October Digital Sale on Friday, Sept. 11, it announced Wednesday. The October Sale will be held Thursday, Oct. 1 via the new Keeneland Digital Sales Ring platform. The entry deadline for the October Sale is Monday, Sept. 21. The catalog will be available online Friday, Sept. 25. The Keeneland Digital Sales Ring successfully debuted June 23 with the inaugural Online Select Horses of Racing Age Sale. "The Keeneland Digital Sales Ring expands the scope of sales options...

In this corner comes 'TDN Rising Star' Gamine (Into Mischief), a filly by one of the world's hottest and most fashionable sires who was purchased for a seven-figure price tag at public auction and has whitewashed Grade I rivals by a combined 25 3/4 lengths in her last two starts. Sharing space in the other corner is Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), a much more modest auction purchase, who is perfect in her last four against her own sex; and Speech (Mr Speaker), not quite as accomplished as her two chief rivals,...

As a Hall of Fame jockey and two-time winning rider of the GI Kentucky Derby, Mike Smith knows his way around Churchill Downs. After having his morning-line favored mount Omaha Beach (War Front) scratched the week of the race last year, Smith is back aboard a major contender in Saturday's Run for the Roses. Wednesday, the 55-year-old rider who's still at the top of his game joined the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland. Calling in via Zoom from Louisville as the Green Group Guest of the Week, Smith talked...

With the racing and sales calendars turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, buyers at the upcoming Keeneland September Sale and Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase will have a unique opportunity. Typically, the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks--as well as the rest of the Triple Crown trail for that matter--are long over by the time the major yearling auctions take place. But with those marquee sophomore races pushed back to the first weekend in September, buyers could have a chance to purchase a sibling to this year's Derby or...

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 a pair of American-bred horses each making its career in separate races Sunday at Kokura Racecourse: Sunday, August 30, 2020 4th-KOK, ¥9,680,000 ($91k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200mT SEIUN MORI (c, 3, Speightstown--Bryan's Jewel, by Rockport Harbor) is the second foal to make the races from his dam, odds-on winner of...

Keeneland's drive-thru betting will be open Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5 to accept wagers on the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Kentucky Derby, as well as the rest of the races on those two days from Churchill Downs. Drive-thru betting will be located behind the Keeneland Entertainment Center, which can be accessed via Gate 1 at Man o' War Boulevard. All patrons will complete a health screening and temperature check at Gate 1. The drive-thru betting will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with six windows...

Nick Cosato, who has made a habit of hitting the winner's circle with graded stakes victors from his Slam Dunk Racing partnership, will aim for big-time success in the sales ring when he offers a colt from the first crop of champion Arrogate during the second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Sept. 14. Consigned by War Horse Place, the gray yearling (hip 280) is a half-brother to Grade I winner Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect). The hard-trying speedster Whitmore has become a fan favorite with six graded stakes wins over...

Earlier this week, Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton released their joint safety protocols for their upcoming September Sales, which included a credential system for all attendees, including buyers. All consignors and their staffs, vets and their staffs and media are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test 10 days prior to the start of the Sept. 9-10 Fasig-Tipton Sale. Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton have partnered with a trusted technology provider, Virtual Badge, to serve their digital credential needs for both September sales. Both sales companies will share a common credential, accessible...

FanDuel, America's premier gaming destination, will become the title sponsor of the $2-million GI Breeders' Cup Mile at this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships. In addition, two of FanDuel Group's major charity partners will be incorporated into its naming rights for this year's event--the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF and the GI TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The Breeders' Cup, one of Thoroughbred racing's most prestigious international events, consisting of 14 races and purses and awards totaling $35 million, is scheduled to be held...