Swiss Skydiver
The Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland November sales are known as places to shop for some of the best racemares in the country as they conclude their careers on the track and transition into motherhood. However, the other prize offerings at both auctions are the mothers of some of the country's most talented runners. Many breeders have shifted focus towards these proven producers in hopes that if they did it once, they can do it again, like three-time Grade I producer Leslie's Lady or Littleprincessemma, who has produced a Triple Crown winner...
Continuing a trend of favorites and short prices drawing outside at Monday's Rood & Riddle Breeders' Cup Post Position Draw, the potent trio of Bob Baffert contenders in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic drew next door to each other in the three widest posts in a loaded field for the 1 1/4-mile test. Given a slight nod on the morning line at 5-2, Improbable (City Zip) was parked in the eight-hole when pills were pulled. The 'TDN Rising Star', who had an up-and-down 3-year-old season, has come into his...
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) will host an online auction of halters worn by Breeders' Cup winners and contenders. The All-Star Halter Auction is set to open Friday, Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. and will conclude Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. EST. The auction is sponsored by LNJ Foxwoods and all proceeds will benefit TCA. "In a normal year, we would be just days away from our annual Bash at the Breeders' Cup fundraising event," said Erin Crady, executive director of TCA. "However, like so many nonprofits, we've pivoted...
Thoughts I had while perusing the pre-entries for what promises to be a terrific Breeders' Cup? What are the chances that Swiss Skydiver is named Horse of the Year? It now appears almost certain that Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) will go in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff instead of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. "At this point we are going in the Distaff unless there is a late defection from the Classic," trainer Ken McPeek told reporters Saturday morning. The Classic field is loaded, so running Swiss Skydiver in the Distaff,...
Sackatoga Stables' GI Belmont S. winner and GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Tiz the Law (Constitution) capped off his serious work ahead of next Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Classic with a five-furlong breeze at Keeneland Saturday morning. With his regular work rider Heather Smullen in the irons, the New York-bred drilled five furlongs in :59.20 and galloped out an extra eighth of a mile in 1:12.20 (video). "I saw just what I wanted. He went perfectly," said trainer Barclay Tagg who will send out his 11th Breeders' Cup starter next weekend....
Eclipse Award winner Maximum Security (New Year's Day), GI Kentucky Derby hero Authentic (Into Mischief), GI Belmont S. victor Tiz the Law (Constitution), Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), who beat the boys in the GI Preakness S. and European star mare Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) are among the over 200 horses entered for the Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held at Keeneland Race Course Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7. Maximum Security makes his first appearance at the Breeders' Cup and is one of an imposing trio in the $6-million...
Unable to have its annual fundraiser this year, Blue Grass Farms Charities is hosting a virtual charity auction that starts Thursday, Oct. 29 at noon EST. Bidding will be open through Sunday, Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Featured items include halters worn by Justify, American Pharoah, Rachel Alexandra, Swiss Skydiver and more. Text BGFC to 76278 to register and receive communications on this inaugural auction or click here for a preview starting Monday at noon.
The worktab at Churchill Downs Saturday morning was replete with many of racing's biggest names scheduled to make an upcoming start during next month's Breeders' Cup, including champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar), GI Preakness S. heroine Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) and Grade I-winner Tom's d'Etat (Smart Strike). Targeting the Distaff, the 2018 3-year-old champion filly completed six furlongs in 1:12. Working in tandem with GSW and GISP Owendale (Into Mischief, 6f 1:13), the 5-year-old carved out eighth-mile splits of :12, :24.40, :36.20, :47.80 and 1:00, galloping out in front of her stablemate...
One of the top second-crop sires Daredevil (More Than Ready--Chasethewildwind, by Forty Niner) will relocate to Lane's End Farm for the 2021 breeding season. The GI Champagne S. victor will stand for $25,000. Sire of 3-year-old sensations Swiss Skydiver and Shedaresthedevil, Daredevil is third on the North American-based, second-crop sire behind only American Pharoah and Constitution with just over half as many starters. Daredevil is the only first-crop sire to ever sire an individual winner of the GI Kentucky Oaks and the GI Preakness S. in the same year. Swiss...
The finger pointing over Tyler Gaffalione's decision not to ride Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) in the GI Preakness S. continued Thursday when Gaffalione's agent Matt Muzikar said trainer Ken McPeek's version of the events was "nowhere near the truth." On this week's edition of the TDN Writers' Room podcast, McPeek sharply criticized both Muzikar and Gaffalione, claiming that the two reneged on an agreement to ride the filly in the Preakness. "I announced that we're going to run in the Preakness and Tyler was on board," McPeek said on the podcast....
You know this adage well: "Sell a stallion overseas and he'll catch fire." The latest example is Daredevil (More Than Ready), whose remarkable first-crop daughter Swiss Skydiver put on a show for the ages on Saturday to deny Gl Kentucky Derby winner Authentic (Into Mischief) the Gl Preakness S. at Pimlico. Trained by a daredevil in Kenny McPeek, Swiss Skydiver and Authentic engaged in a protracted head-to-head stretch duel, but the filly never let Authentic get the better of her at any stage and won the Classic by a neck,...
Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) a winner of the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe this past Sunday, has moved into the top 10 of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings with a mark of 123. He defeated In Swoop (Ire) () (122) back in second. Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) rated 121 after his G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris performance. G1SW Kameko (Kitten's Joy) moved up to 122 from 120 after landing the G2 Shadwell Joel S. Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) remains on top of the table at 130....