In an exhibition of pure sprinting prowess, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) brought all his power to bear on his rivals on Friday to register back-to-back successes in Goodwood's G2 King George Qatar S. Despite the contrasting ground conditions to the easy turf he encountered 12 months ago and the obvious questions posed by defeat in the June 19 G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot, the bay attracted heavy support as the 8-11 favourite and was in front before he had raced two...
The 17th edition of the Claiming Crown, held Saturday at Gulfstream Park, generated total handle of $10,118,000--up 0.57% from 2014 despite rainy conditions which caused four races to be taken off the turf. Gulfstream was hosting the event for the fourth year. "We're extremely pleased with the success of Saturday's Claiming Crown," said P.J. Campo, General Manager of Gulfstream Park and Vice President of Racing for The Stronach Group. "We had big fields and tremendous participation from horsemen throughout North America. We're confident the numbers would have been even more...
Spendthrift's Goodall (f, 3, Yaupon--Moon Over Mag Bay, by Malibu Moon) made it two in a row Saturday, capturing Oaklawn Park's Purple Martin Stakes in authoritative fashion. Shipped in from Fair Grounds for the six-furlong test, Goodall was overshadowed in the wagering by 8 1/4-length track and trip debut winner River Wind (Lexitonian). The latter hopped at the break and settled in third, just to the inside of Goodall, who pressured the :21.53 and :44.70 pace set by You're in Heaven (Global Campaign) from the inside. Taken back off the...
1st-AQU, 80K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:10 p.m. FUSION (Into Mischief), the second foal out of MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Separationofpowers, debuts Sunday in New York for the partnership of Qatar Racing and Mountmellick Farm and trainer Chad Brown. The mare has already produced a winner from her first foal, this filly's full-brother, Poulsen, who went Japan's way for $925,000 at OBS April in 2024. Separationofpowers sold to Hunter Valley Farm for $2.1-million at Fasig-Tipton's November Sale in 2019 before going back through that same ring...
Daniel Alonso's Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), who acted up badly on the plane that was meant to transport him to California for Saturday's GI Santa Anita Handicap and was subsequently scratched, is possible for one of two races over the coming weeks. "I always look at it as everything happens for a reason. No regrets," said trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who saddles three horses in Saturday's Barbados Gold Cup in his native country. "He'll probably run at Oaklawn in the Essex, or he'll run at Gulfstream in the Ghostzapper. I'm going to...
With Eclipse Award-winner Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro), who will be heavily favored in Saturday's GII Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn, having won her 2026 debut in the GIII Bayakoa Stakes, D.J. Stable could well be on its way to another successful year. But not everything has gone right in 2026 for the Green family and its stable. Two of its most prominent horses--Sandman (Tapit) and Ewing (Knicks Go)--have been surprisingly disappointing in recent races. In hopes of getting them back on track, the stable will be sending both to Mark Casse's farm...
6th-OP, 110K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 4:04 p.m. QUITE BAFFLING (Gun Runner) impressed enough at OBS March last year, breezing a quarter in :21.1, to warrant a $750,000 final bid from Case Clay Thoroughbred Management on behalf of owner Wathnan Racing. Debuting around two turns, Quite Baffling is a daughter of the unraced Graydar mare Baffling, herself a half-sister to MGISW and successful sire Constitution (Tapit). Another half-sister, GSW Jacaranda (Congrats), has produced SW/GISP Be You (Curlin). The only first-time starter in the field is trained by Steve Asmussen...