NBS Stable
5th-Keeneland, $106,535, Msw, 10-11, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.17, gd, neck. MAP OF THE MOON (f, 2, Liam's Map--Malibu Pride, by Malibu Moon) became the latest in a string of long-price debut winners for this owner and trainer, scoring here at 9-1. The $200,000 Keeneland September grad was content to drop out to the latter third of the field as fellow firster Lady Jancis (Speighstown) and favored third-time starter Triskelion (Leinster) exchanged blows through an opening couple of furlongs in a strong :21.31. Asked to improve with a wide run...
She wasn't 100-1 this time and it's doubtful she ever will be again. NBS Stable's Ground Support (f, 2, Army Mule--Arch Support, by Arch), fresh off a 100-1 debut win going a mile at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30, secured her berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with a 'Win and You're In' victory in Saturday's GII Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont at the Big A. "I don't know why they didn't like her at Kentucky Downs," said trainer Kelsey Danner with a laugh. "She does everything right,...
1st-Kentucky Downs, $179,600, Msw, 9-4, 2yo, 7fT, 1:21.43, fm, 3 lengths. REPENTLESS (c, 2, Violence--Song Sung True, by Unbridled's Song) went off as the one of the longest shots on the board at 25-1 Thursday in his debut effort for Kelsey Danner. Positioned mid pack while able to angle down to the rail, he tracked fourth behind race favorite Jet Off (Twirling Candy) who did just that through fractions of :22.08 and :44.88. Hugging the fence around the turn, he caught a dream opening at the top of the long...
3rd-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $32,000, Msw, 7-3, 2yo, 7 1/2fT, 1:31.32, fm, 2 lengths. JUTLAND (c, 2, Raging Bull {Fr}--Naval Battle, by War Front), one of just a few first-time starters in the field, became the first winner for his freshman sire (by Dark Angel {Ire}) Thursday. Showing his inexperience and away last of the eight, the 9-5 favorite trailed through the opening quarter in :23.42 before beginning to pick up the pack with a wide move on the run into the far turn. Still with pacesetter Don Ique (Astern {Aus}) to...
1st-BAQ, $95k, OC/N2X, 3yo/up, 7f, 12:10p.m. ET LOCKED (Gun Runner) will make his return to the races here after not being seen since suffering a knee injury which knocked him off the Triple Crown trail this past spring. Racing with first-time Lasix, and made the 4-5 morning line favorite, he's been working steadily over the Saratoga training track with two of his last three moves being bullet efforts. Last year's GI Breeders' Futurity winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile third will have John Velazquez in the irons. TJCIS PPs 3rd-KEE,...
Popular 8-year-old gelding Spooky Channel (English Channel--Spooky Kitten, by Kitten's Joy) has been retired from racing and will be heading to Old Friends Farm, according to a post on X by trainer Jason Barkley. The four-time graded winner posted a career record of 31-13-6-1 and earnings of $1,380,142. Bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, the $10,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling concluded his career for owner NBS Stable and Barkley with a runner-up finish in the GII FanDuel Kentucky Turf Cup S. at Kentucky Downs Sept. 9. Good as time as...
NBS Stable and Elements Racing LLC's Danse Macabre (Army Mule) was making her seasonal debut at a juicy quote of 12-1 in Saturday's GIII Herecomesthebride S. at Gulfstream Park and fought her way to the wire to become the first graded winner for her successful young sire (by Friesan Fire) with a defeat of the U.S.-debuting Papilio (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Stretching out to a route of ground for the first time and visiting the races for the first time since checking in third as the favorite in the GIII Matron...
Last year, we conducted a popular Q and A series called 'Smaller But Still Super,' where we featured veteran trainers who have built a competitive racing stable with relatively small numbers (click here to view the archive). This year, we will highlight trainers who have already cut their teeth as novice trainers, but now have a few years of experience under their belt and are looking to make a name for themselves as they grow their stable. We'll talk about the challenges that come with hanging out your single, advice...
Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 4th-CD, $120k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, post time: 2:30 p.m. ET BO DEREK (Speightstown) must have ticked all the proverbial boxes at last year's Keeneland September sale, as she was acquired by WinStar Farm and Siena Farm for $900,000, the priciest of 42 (53 ring) of her Eclipse Award and GI Breeders' Cup Sprint-winning sire's yearlings that were reported as sold in 2021. And the family behind her is extremely live. The Mar. 12 foal is the first from Wildwood Rose (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a...
John Ballantyne, a transplanted New Zealander living in Fargo, North Dakota, has big plans for the NBS Stables he operates along with partners Art Neuhedel and Daryl Shaw. To that end, the co-founder of the biotech company Aldevron was busy bidding online during the recent Keeneland September Yearling Sale, virtually signing the ticket on five yearlings for a total of $1.14 million before the stable capped its month with a stakes win at Remington Park last Sunday. Ballantyne traces his love of horse racing back to his childhood. "Some of...