Luther (GB)
Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), a perfect three-for-three this term, headed by a win in the GI American Turf S. at Churchill Downs, will be heavily favored in Friday's GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S., a one-mile inner turf test for sophomores at Saratoga. A winner of six-of-seven career starts, the lone blemish on Zulu Kingdom's resume is a seventh-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. The 6-5 morning-line favorite, campaigned in partnership by Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, William Strauss...
Saratoga's opening weekend kicks off with a trio of graded stakes Friday--the GI Belmont Derby, GII Suburban Stakes and GIII Manila Stakes. Saturday's card features three additional graded tests, including the GI Belmont Oaks. The day's undercard is highlighted by the GIII Sandford and GIII Kelso. The Belmont Derby offers a salty assembly of turf horses, including European invader Luther (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is trained by Charlie Fellowes. In three starts this term, Luther was runner-up on the synthetic at Chelmsford in April before finishing fourth behind winner Henri...
Charlie Fellowes trainee Luther (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Give And Take {GB}, by Cityscape {GB}) followed up a debut success at Salisbury with a runner-up finish back there in last month's Listed Stonehenge Stakes and regained the winning thread with a dominant performance in Saturday's Listed Betfair Daily Tips On Betting.Betfair Ascendant Stakes at Haydock. Steadied to track the leaders in fifth and last off the bridle in the home straight, the 16-5 chance was shaken up to challenge entering the final furlong and lengthened clear in the closing stages to easily...
Andrew Balding trainee New Century (GB) (Kameko--Potent Embrace, by Street Cry {Ire}), last seen running second in Ascot's July 27 Listed Pat Eddery Stakes, made the step forward to secure a first stakes triumph for his freshman sire (by Kitten's Joy) with a pillar-to-post victory in Wednesday's Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury. Breaking smartly for an immediate lead, the 15-8 second choice held sway throughout and kept on strongly under a late drive to defeat the hitherto undefeated Luther (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by a half-length. Coolmore's...
Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features another highly-promising Ballydoyle 2-year-old runner in a very short, but quality, Stonehenge Stakes. 15.30 Salisbury, Listed, £40,000, 2yo, 8fT THE PARTHENON (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) has missed three group 2 engagements due to ground conditions, but with Salisbury currently enjoying good-to-firm going the scene is set for...