Wesley Ward

There aren't many American trainers who win a two-year-old grass maiden at Churchill Downs and immediately think that the obvious next stop is the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville at the end of August. But Wesley Ward isn't like most American trainers. For one thing, he's tried it four times. Won three. Finished second the other time. He'll take his fifth tilt at the Morny on August 24 when he sends Outfielder (Speightstown) over to Deauville for just his second lifetime start. Ward is known for thinking outside the...

2nd-Saratoga, $100,000, (S), Alw (NW2$X)/Opt. Clm ($45,000), 7-18, 3yo/up, f/m, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.12, fm, 3 lengths. SHOOT IT TRUE (f, 3, Munnings--To the Moon Alice, by Malibu Moon) became a 'TDN Rising Star' when she debuted at Keeneland on the main track for Wesley Ward last April. Fourth against the boys at Churchill in the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes last May, she took some time off before returning in New York to win the state-bred Notebook Stakes in her final start as a juvenile. Off again for several months, Ward brought...

Windsor Castle Stakes third Rogue Legend (Havana Grey), who American owner John Stewart swooped in to buy on the eve of Royal Ascot, has been transferred from Paddy Twomey to continue his career with Wesley Ward. Rogue Legend was purchased by Twomey initially on behalf of the Rogues Gallery for just 55,000gns at Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. After making a promising debut at Cork, he confirmed himself one of the fastest juveniles in training in Ireland with impressive wins at Cork and Tipperary before being snapped...

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse wasn't going to lie. There is no joy in facing Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the clear leader of the 3-year-old division. But that doesn't mean Casse isn't chomping at the bit for another chance at the champ. That comes a week from Saturday when Casse's Sandman (Tapit) takes on the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner in Saratoga's $500,000 GII Jim Dandy. "I don't know if you ever look forward to facing Sovereignty," Casse said outside his barn on the...

Wesley Ward knew his filly Pulstar (Kantharos) was fast but did she have the stamina to win Saturday's sixth at Saratoga, a maiden race that came off the turf and was run at 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt? The answer is yes, but just barely. Like so many Ward-trained 2-year-olds, Pulstar shot out of the gate and grabbed a two-length lead down the backstretch. In mid-stretch she was still two in front, but the Mark Casse-trained Delightful Darling (Flameaway)was bearing down on her. The pair were basically on even...

2nd-Churchill Downs, $112,927, Msw, 6-20, 2yo, 5fT, :56.33, fm, 5 1/2 lengths. LONGSHOREMAN (c, 2, Twirling Candy--Lady Pauline, by Munnings) squandered a four-length advantage in the final furlong to finish a disappointing and money-burning second to Listed Windsor Castle Stakes also-ran Tough Critic (Caravaggio) on Keeneland debut Apr. 24. The betting public's darling here at 1-2, the $260,000 Keeneland September graduate was in front in a matter of strides and took them along at a solid early gallop. Awaiting word from Irad Ortiz, Jr. as they neared the entrance to...

Trainer Wesley Ward has sent some very good horses to Royal Ascot over the years and has won 12 races there. Win No. 13 looked to be well within his reach as he was planning on sending Outfielder (Speightstown) to the GII Norfolk S. on June 19. The horse was so impressive when winning his debut that some believed he could be the best horse Ward ever sent to Ascot. But a Tuesday morning workout at Keeneland yielded a minor injury that will keep the two-year-old home. "We breezed him...

3rd-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 6-8, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:04.65, ft, 3 1/4 lengths. DIBLASI (g, 2, Win Win Win--One More Minute, by Istan) was introduced to the races with a runner-up finish at 4 1/2 furlongs on Apr. 13 at Keeneland. Aided by the slow starting rivals to his inside, this gelding broke well and worked his way down to the rail, sitting off an early quarter clicked in :22.28. While Diblasi bided his time, four rivals lined up at the top of the stretch, and with a seam opening down...

After a sizzling win in a May 23 maiden on the grass at Churchill Downs, Wesley Ward confirmed what he already knew. 'TDN Rising Star' Outfielder (Speightstown) is among the best 2-year-olds he has ever trained. So it's no surprise that the colt will soon be on his way to Royal Ascot to compete in the G2 Norfolk Stakes June 19. "I was nervous going into the race at Churchill, just because I was so excited and he's one of those colts who has so much ability, Ward said. "The...

Winner of the GIII Cecil B. DeMille Stakes on the grass at Del Mar to close out 2024 after beginning the year a winner at Kentucky Downs, the well-traveled and versatile Clock Tower earned himself a shot on the Road to the Kentucky Derby but ultimately came home fourth against Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) in the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Back on the grass and back to Kentucky, Clock Tower tested the early pace in the GIII Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland last month but tired home to finish eighth...

Trainer Wesley Ward swung for the fences when bidding to $850,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale last year to acquire Outfielder (Speightstown) and was rewarded for his efforts Friday when the colt delivered a grand slam at Churchill to become the newest 'TDN Rising Star'. No secret at the window off of two straight bullet works and thus heavily bet at 1-5, the outside draw endured a rush of early speed to his inside in the opening yards of this five-furlong contest but quickly cleared the crowd and...

5. TRUE PASSION, CD, 5/11, 6 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure: 84 Video Replay (f, 3, Audible--Fortune Pearl, by Mineshaft) O-Norman Stables LLC, B-SF Bloodstock LLC & Hartwell Farm Inc (Ky), T-Lonnie Briley, J-Corey Lanerie. Look who cracks this week's top five: Lonnie Briley! The sharp third-out 7 1/2-length MSW winner also races for Robbie Norman, owner of Coal Battle. Briley picked out the 3-year-old filly for $50,000 at OBS last June. She's the first foal to race from Fortune Pearl, 2015's GII Delaware Oaks winner who was third in the...