THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024

COMPUTER ASSISTEDWAGERING:
ANATOMY OF A DEAL

1/ST RACING SAYS IT MAY SELL OR CLOSESANTA ANITA by Bill Finley
1/ST Racing, the owner of Santa Anita, has threatened to closeor sell the AGreat Race Place,@ making the threats on the eve of a
critical meeting of the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) in
which the future of racing in the northern half of the state will
be decided. Santa Anita has been calling for racing to shut downin the north, which, it believes, will help strengthen racing at
Santa Anita and the other Southern California tracks.
The story was first reported by John Cherwa in the Los Angeles
Times.
With 1/ST set to close Golden Gate Fields June 9, the future of
Northern California racing is very much up in the air. Hoping tosave racing in that part of the state, Pleasanton, a fair track, will
ask the CHRB to approve a 10-week meeting that would run
from Oct. 19 to Dec. 15.
Cont. p10

IN TDN EUROPE TODAY
Del Mar grandstand | Benoit

by Dan Ross
A deal that Del Mar has made with a titan of Computer
Assisted Wagering (CAW) provides a rare glimpse into thetremendous sway that individual players can wield over track
and racing officials, the potentially lopsided economic
ramifications of such deals, and the tremendous pressures that
California executives are under with competing jurisdictions thatenjoy purse subsidies not available in the Golden State.
It also turns a spotlight onto a world largely hidden from thepublic eye--one that industry leaders are generally loathe todiscuss publicly, and in which just a few anonymous gamblers
can have an outsized impact on the financial fitness or ill healthof the sport.
Last year, Del Mar continued a deal with a player identified asElite 17 that saw them enjoy a noticeably more favorable rate ofplay than other high-volume players that wager through the
CAW platform, Elite Turf Club, according to detailed wagering
reports obtained by the TDN and background conversations with
racing officials and figures within the CAW world, along withpublicly available data.
At the enormous volumes at which CAW gamblers play, suchdeals can give individual players a significant financial edge.
Cont. p3

O’BRIEN HAS SARATOGA AIM FOR CITY OF TROY
AFTER CLASSIC BIDS
City Of Troy (Justify) is possible for the GI Travers S. after
competing in the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Derby. Brian Sheerin
was onsite at Ballydoyle..

PUBLISHER & CEO
Sue Morris Finley @suefinleysuefinley@thetdn.com
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Gary King @garykingTDN
garyking@thetdn.com
EDITORIAL
editor@thetdn.com
Editor-in-Chief
Jessica Martini @JessMartiniTDN
Senior Contributing Editor
Alan Carasso @EquinealTDN
Senior Racing Editor
Steve Sherack @SteveSherackTDN
Senior Editor & Staff Training Supervisor
Christina Bossinakis @CBossTDN
Assistant Editor
Jill Williams @JillWilliamsTDN
Staff Writers
Patrycja Szpyra @QueenOfSuites
Stefanie Grimm @SGrimmTDN
J.N. Campbell @campbellparlay
Contributor
Brian DiDonato @BDiDonatoTDN
News and Features Editor
In Memoriam: Ben Massam (1988-2019)
ADVERTISING
advertising@thetdn.com
Director of Advertising
Alycia Borer
Advertising Manager
Lia Best
Advertising Designers
Amanda Crelin
Amie Newcomb
Advertising Assistant/Dir. of Distribution
Kristen Zaidi
Advertising Assistant
Liz Fronczek
Photographer/Photo Editor
Sarah K. Andrew @SarahKAndrew
photos@thetdn.com
Associate Producer
Katie Petrunyak
Social Media Manager
Sara Gordon
Director of Customer Service
Vicki Forbes | customerservice@thetdn.com

Thursday, March 21, 2024

March 31, 2012. Before achieving GI Kentucky Oaks glory and becoming a graded-stakesproducing broodmare, Believe You Can (Proud Citizen) wins the 2012 GII Fair Grounds Oaks
with Rosie Napravnik aboard. | Horsephotos

CARF ISSUES STATEMENT AFTER 1/ST ULTIMATUM

11

Ahead of a critical CHRB meeting Thursday, CARF outlines a plan for racingin Northern California that includes a 10-week meeting at Pleasanton.

OAKS FAVORITE IMPEL POINTING FOR ASHLAND

13

Unbeaten Juddmonte homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' Impel (Quality Road)
is being aimed at the GI Central Bank Ashland S. on opening day at Keeneland.

Business Development Manager
Alayna Cullen Birkett @AlaynaCullen
Chief Financial Officer
Ray Villa
rayvilla@thetdn.com | accounting@thetdn.com
WORLDWIDE INFORMATION
European & International Editor
Emma Berry | emmaberry@thetdn.com
Managing Editor
Heather Anderson @HLAndersonTDN
European Sales Editor
Brian Sheerin @BrianSheerin91
Associate European Editor
Adam Houghton @hought94
Cafe Racing
Sean Cronin & Tom Frarycaferacing@thetdn.com
60 Broad Street, Suite 105
Red Bank, NJ 07701
732-747-8060 | www.TheTDN.com

TIMBERLAKE CONFIRMED FOR ARKANSAS DERBYWinStar Farm and Siena Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief),
winner of the GII Rebel S., will return to Oaklawn for the GI Arkansas Derby.

13

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 3 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

An individual familiar with the situation--who spoke as a
ACalifornia racing source@ on condition of anonymity--said that,
The result was that this one player constituted nearly 47% ofprior to the track's 2023 summer meet, Elite 2 declined such a
Elite Turf Club's total handle on Del Mar last year, according todeal, which would have necessitated paying a Asubstantial
the reports. Two years prior, Elite 17's play had constituted justseven-figure up-front payment.@
over 36% of Elite Turf Club's total handle on Del Mar, according
When asked if Elite 2 had
to publicly available California
changed their mind about the deal
Horse Racing Board (CHRB)
after the summer meet wasdata.
underway, the source declined to
At the same time, the amountanswer, citing concerns aboutof money another Elite Turf
proprietary business information.
Club player (Elite 2) wagered on
ABut you can't make an up-front
the track dropped off by overpayment after the meet has$32 million between 2021 andstarted,@ the source added.
2023, the reports show--from
Such arrangements have served
around $45 million in 2021 to
as a pre-payment on host fees toaround $13 million last year. In
be split between the track and the2021, Elite 2's play came to justpurse account, sources say.
over 27% of Elite Turf Club's
The deals that Del Mar has struck
total handle on Del Mar. Last
with Elite Turf Club players overyear, that number had dropped
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club | Horsephotos
the years, while hardly an anomaly
to around 12%.
among tracks nationally, nonetheless raises questions about the
According to multiple sources familiar with the situation, Elite
best approach to managing CAW play in a state where purse
2 received a deal similar to Elite 17 in prior years at Del Mar, butrevenues are generated solely through betting. Cont.
not last year.

Computer Assisted Wagering (cont. from p1)

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 4 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

If purses fuel the sport, getting this equation right is animperative.
Are deals between tracks and individual CAW players,
therefore, a sustainable approach for growing the sport in
California? Is CAW play now so vital to the economics of horse
racing that every step must be taken to maximize theirbusiness? Or should California's tracks be much more focused on
incentivizing play from the average punters who generally
contribute the biggest slice to purses, rather than pandering to
the whales of the betting seas?
While it's difficult to know exactly how such deals might have
impacted Del Mar's purse account revenues, the bare numbers
illustrate a track facing tough economic headwinds, with serious
implications for the horsemen and women in the state.
Purses last fall at Del Mar were reduced by over 10% due to apurse account overpayment reportedly to the tune of $2.1
million. All-source handle at the track's flagship summer meet
declined nearly 11% from 2022 to 2023, according to the DRF.
Wagering through Elite Turf Club on the track's product has
declined from around $167 million in 2021 to around$113 million last year, according to the CHRB.

How takeout is divided from CAW play

AAs a track with no subsidies from alternative forms of gamingthat depends exclusively on handle for purse generation,
promoting handle from all segments of the betting market isvery important to us. On an annual basis we sit down with the[Thoroughbred Owners of California] TOC to both establish
purse levels and to discuss how we best promote wagering on
our simulcast signal,@ wrote Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
president, Josh Rubinstein, in response to a series of questions.
Before the start of each meet in California, the tracks present
the TOC with a list of individual host fees charged to eachlocation that receives its simulcast signal. For that track's meetto proceed, the TOC must first sign this document. Cont.

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 5 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

AWe are proud of our racing product, which has been wellreceived for the last several years, and confident that our hostfees are fair and competitive with other major race tracks. We
will continue to work with our partners to balance pricing
considerations with the overall demands of the wagering
markets,@ Rubinstein added.

Background on Rates and Rebates
The debate around CAW players typically surrounds the majoredge they wield over regular gamblers thanks to their use ofsophisticated wagering technologies and the attractive rates andrebates offered to them--inducements not available to theaverage punter.
When Arates@ are mentioned, what is meant are Ahost fees.@
This is a charge wagering outlets pay to track operators for thecontractual right to import a simulcast signal. A wagering outlet
could be another racetrack, an ADW platform (like FanDuel), ora CAW platform (like Elite Turf Club).
Experts say that CAW host fees for the premium tracks
typically vary between 6% and 8%. After breeders' premiums
and other minor deductions have been removed, host fees areroughly split 50/50 between the track and the purse account in
California.
The entities that pay the lowest host fee, therefore---like CAW
players--contribute the lowest per-dollar amount to purses. At
the same time, proponents of CAW argue how these
inducements are warranted due to the vast amounts theseplayers inject into the betting pools.
The amount CAW players are Arebated@ can be broadly
calculated with this simple equation:
Rebate = Takeout minus host fee (plus any other associatedminor fees). The smaller the host fee and the larger the takeout,
then the bigger the rebate.
Let's use the 20% blended takeout rate among the pools. And
let's say the host fee (plus other associated fees) that the CAW
player pays comes to 7%.
The rebated discount for the CAW players, therefore, could bea maximum 13% on every dollar wagered.
Experts recently told the TDN that the most successful CAW
players can consistently win at an average rate of around 92%.
At that win rate, a 13% rebate (for example) would see theplayer enjoy a 5% profit margin.
According to wagering reports reviewed by the TDN, that win
rate is an undercount. These reports show how Elite Turf Club
players can win at an average rate in excess of 105%, even
before their rebate from Elite is factored in. At this rate, theprofit margin would be much better than many investment
accounts. Cont.

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 6 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

It's also important to note how the numerical monikers given
to Elite Turf Club players--a company majority owned by The
Stronach Group (TSG)--don't relate to just one person.
These players employ a team of potentially dozens of people,
including mathematical wizards who create sophisticatedcomputer algorithms capable of analyzing the betting markets
for exploitable weaknesses, as well as individuals who place thebets for them.
Insiders consulted for this story describe how these teams ofexperts can, over time, deduce through the betting markets andthrough other data sources if rival CAW players receive morefavorable rates.
Given the money at stake, the competition can be cutthroat.

Elite 17's DealAs CAW play has grown exponentially in recent years, track
operators have cut deals like that between Del Mar and Elite 17
to attract their business. And the amount these gamblers wager
is often so huge, just one player can make up a significant
portion of a track's overall handle.
In 2019, when the renowned gambler "Dr. Nick" stopped
wagering on Australian racing reportedly due to increased taxes
on bookmakers, his exit was projected to trigger a 6% drop in
turnover on racing across the board.
Multiple sources for this story said that Elite 17 and Elite 2
were both well-known Australian gamblers.
Scott Daruty, president of both TSG's Monarch Content
Management and of the Elite Turf Club, declined to confirm or
deny their identities, citing confidentiality agreements.

Scott Daruty | Horsephotos

According to detailed reports obtained by the TDN, Elite 17
wagered more than $650 million on U.S. racing through Elite
Turf Club alone last year. In 2021, Elite 17 wagered roughly $60
million on Del Mar's product, according to the CHRB. Last year,
Elite 17 wagered some $53 million. Last summer at Del Mar, theamount Elite 17 wagered was roughly 10% of the total handle at
Del Mar, using the DRF's all-source handle figures as a baseline.
These numbers don't account for Elite 17's potential play on
horse racing through other methods such as fixed-odds
providers and exchange options like Betfair in other countries,
or on other sports. Some CAW players also have accounts withdifferent CAW platforms like Velocity, owned by Churchill
Downs, which enables wagering on tracks whose simulcast
signals are managed by Churchill.
At the same time, multiple sources say individual deals are still
fairly prevalent among smaller tracks struggling financially, butthat they're now unusual among the nation's top-tier tracks.
According to wagering reports reviewed by the TDN, the New
York Racing Association (NYRA) offered the same host fee to
Elite Turf Club players at Saratoga last year, irrespective of thebetting pool. This included Elite 17. The host fee NYRA charged
was slightly lower than Del Mar charged the same CAW players(outside of Elite 17), these reports show.
ANYRA cannot responsibly comment or opine on information
never provided to our organization,@ wrote NYRA spokesperson
Pat McKenna in response to questions about the wagering
reports. The TDN provided to NYRA an overview of the figures in
the reports, but not the raw data. NYRA's data was
independently verified for the TDN. NYRA is a minority owner inElite Turf Club. Cont.

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 7 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

McKenna did, however, stress the steps the organization has
But multiple sources familiar with the situation explained how
taken to manage CAW play, including barring CAW play in thefactoring in the up-front payment, Elite 17 paid a host fee on Del
Pick 6, Late Pick 5, and Cross Country Pick 5 pools, and requiring
Mar's product last year around a percentage point or so lower
CAW players to place win bets on its races no later than two
than the other CAW players.
minutes to post.
At the volume CAW gamblers play, just one percentage point
California has also taken similardifference in host fee cansteps to moderate CAW play.
mean a significant edge forSince Santa Anita's 2022 fall
one CAW player over all
meet, the win pool has beenothers, along with possible
closed to CAW players one minuteresidual effects on all otherto post, or else they must also pay
participants in the betting
a surcharge of around 3.5% on top
pools in terms of late oddsof their normal rate if they wantmovement.
to bet to the close of the win pool.
TOC president and CEO Bill
Last year, Del Mar followed suit.
Nader explained that deals
Both tracks have also reverted to
involving up-front payments
the traditional Pick 6.
incentivize the player toWhen it comes to Del Mar's deal
maximize the amount they
with Elite 17, the agreement was
wager on the track's product.
incumbent upon the player
AFor example, if the player
Bill Nader | Horsephotos
making a substantial payment at
bets over a certain threshold,the start of the meet, according to multiple sources. Once thatthe player benefits from a high-volume discount. If the player
up-front payment was made, Elite 17 paid a host fee almost half
does not reach that wagering threshold, the effective rate wouldof that for other Elite Turf Club players, wagering reports show.
be higher than other CAW players,@ wrote Nader. Cont.

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 8 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

But could the deal that Del Mar struck with Elite 17 haveprompted other CAW players--and Elite 2 in particular--to havecurbed their play at the track last year?
The California racing source said that other CAW players were
offered similar terms to Elite 17 last year. However, it should be
noted that the other CAW players that wager through Elite TurfClub on Del Mar didn't bet to nearly the same volume as Elite 17
last year, and that Elite 2 was the only Elite Turf Club player towager in the region of Elite 17's handle in 2021.
The California racing source also noted how CAW play isclosely aligned with overall handle on a track's product, and thatdeclines in total handle would invariably lead to decreases in
CAW play.
AIt's hard for us to say with any certainty why player A or B
may have reduced his or her volume of play,@ the source said.
AThe best source for that is the player themself.@
The TDN reached out to a representative of the player
believed to be Elite 2, who declined to discuss the situation.
Here, it should be noted that at least one Elite Turf Club player
increased their play between 2021 and 2023. This was Elite 10,
who wagered $4.9 million in 2021 and $6.7 million in 2023 on
Del Mar's product.

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

The TDN does not have access to data showing individual CAW
handle on Del Mar's product in 2022. That was the year the
CHRB stopped making such data publicly available. Even so,
California remains more transparent than other jurisdictions
about what CAW data it makes publicly available.
Another wrinkle in this story is how Del Mar boasts an
attractive wagering product with good field sizes and an
impressive safety record. With that in mind, was the deal theright one to strike?
AWith the benefit of hindsight, it has been the wrong deal forover 10 years and this is why we need a market correction,@
wrote Nader, in response to a series of questions. AWe
represent the owners and purses are paid to owners, trainers,
and jockeys, and there is room for improvement. This is what
the TOC hired me to do.@When asked why the TOC approved the deal last year, Naderwrote how 2023 Awas my first full year with the TOC and we
needed time to work with our board members and others,
notably the tracks, to voice our reservations and allow for aperiod of adjustment. This entire exercise has been a work inprogress.@Cont.

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 9 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

At that point in time, Greg Avioli was TOC president.
ASince purses are the lifeblood of our sport, and are fueled by
The issue of shrinking purse revenues amid declining economic
the public's interest and its confidence in the integrity ofbenchmarks couldn't be a more pressing issue in California rightpari-mutuel betting, the apparent lack of transparency we'renow, where the industry attempts
hearing about now has to be
to piece together a revised racing
remedied immediately,@ theframework in the wake of Golden
CTT added.
Gate's impending closure in June.
According to CHRBAt the end of the day, therefore,
Executive Director Scottthose arguably most impacted by
Chaney, the agency is Akeenly
decisions around managing CAW
aware of the questions,play are the industry stakeholders
importance and interest
attempting to eke out a living fromsurrounding CAWs and plans
the sport.
to place the topic on our
When asked for comment on themeeting agenda in the next
story, the California Thoroughbredmonth or so.@Trainers (CTT) wrote in a prepared
Chaney added how Athestatement how, Abased on Del Mar's
concepts of purse accounts
representations and the TOC's
and structure are also vitallyconfirmation of how the purse
Scott Chaney | courtesy of the CHRB
important to racing inaccount there has been managed,
California, therefore in order promote understanding andwe can only say we're disturbed and confused. In January oftransparency, we are in the process of amending our race meet
2021, at a CTT Board meeting, we attempted to question TOC
license application to include additional questions in this area.@leadership at the time about how purse levels were beingCont.
funded, and were angrily rebuked by those in charge.@

Why is This Important Right Now?

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 10 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

All of which leads to this question: Will Elite 17 be offered thesame deal this year?
ANo. Negotiations are ongoing across the entire customer
sector,@ wrote Nader.
AHigh-volume players will agree that two key deliverables tomake their business models more attractive are access andliquidity to commingled pools,@ added Nader. AOur racetrack
partners should also understand the collective upside and, if
everyone can take a step back and look at this thing holistically,
we can work it out.@

1/ST Racing Says it May Sell or Close Santa
Anita (cont. from p1)
If those dates are approved, it may complicate Santa Anita=sefforts to reallocate revenue from simulcasting that is currently
split between the northern and southern tracks. 1/ST is backing
legislation that would reallocate simulcast money from Northern
California to Southern California in the event that racing ceases
to exist in the northern portion of the state. Santa Anita believes
it needs the extra simulcast money to make racing viable in its
part of the state.

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

Additionally, Santa Anita is hoping that, with Golden Gate
shutting down, many horsemen from that area will relocate toSanta Anita. If that happens, Santa Anita management believes
it can add a fourth day to its weekly racing schedule and will beable to card races with bigger fields.
On Tuesday, Craig Fravel, the executive vice-chairman of 1/ST
Racing and Gaming, sent a three-page letter to the CHRB, urging
the Board not to allocate the extra dates being sought by tracks
that are members of the California Authority of Racing Fairs(CARF).
Fravel contended that if racing is approved at the CARF tracks
Aan analysis of alternatives for Santa Anita and San Luis Rey(training center) will be undertaken in short order. As noted, thecurrent financial model and required capital expense make nosense and the consolidation of operations as discussed last year
and at the January Board meeting is the only alternative that has
been presented.@
Fravel also wrote that over the last five years Santa Anita has
incurred operating losses in excess of $31 million while investingover $32 million in capital projects.
AThe current model is simply unsustainable,@ Fravel wrote.
Cont.

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 11 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

1/ST Racing, cont.

Santa Anita grandstand | Horsephotos

Fravel also contended that the proposals being floated by the
CARF tracks Ais lacking in so much detail that it is difficult tounderstand what has been done over the last eight months andeven more difficult to understand how the board can be asked
to put the entire Thoroughbred industry in the state at risk by
allocating dates on the basis of speculation.@
Fravel also said that allocating dates to the CARF tracks willlead to immediate purse cuts at Santa Anita and planned capitalprojects will be re-evaluated.

CARF ISSUES STATEMENT AFTER 1/ST
ULTIMATUM ON NORCAL RACING DATES
by Dan Ross
Ahead of a critical California Horse Racing Board (CHRB)
meeting Thursday to decide essentially whether or not to give
Northern California stakeholders a fighting chance to build a
circuit in the void left by the imminent closure of Golden Gate
Fields, 1/ST Racing and Gaming set out their stall Tuesday in a
letter to the regulator urging them to decline race dates to theNorth.
In a proposal to the state regulator, the California Associationof Racing Fairs (CARF) outlined a 10-week meeting this year thatwould run from Oct. 19 to Dec. 15 at Pleasanton.
If the CHRB affords those dates to the north, 1/ST Racing andGaming executive vice-chairman, Craig Fravel, warned of several
consequences, including purse cuts at Santa Anita, reevaluationof planned investment projects at Santa Anita, and the "analysisof alternate uses" for Santa Anita and San Luis Rey.

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

"While this is understandably disconcerting to owners,
trainers, and workers in the North the ultimate survival of thefull ecosystem is at risk," wrote Fravel.
On Wednesday, CARF issued a statement saying that while
they did not have a great deal of time to put a plan together,"we did have an incredible depth of experience.""We brought together the best and the brightest of our sport.
Our commitment was to develop a horse racing plan that ismodern, enhances the economic and social health of thecommunity, is safe for the horses and jockeys, fun for our fansand generates excitement in Northern California," wrote Larry
Swartzlander, CARF executive director, justifying the North's
plan in several bullet points, including how "Alameda provides afinancially sound location.""We anticipate more dynamic racing fields--higher purses andbetting opportunities that enhance the fun," wrote
Swartzlander.
"At the same time, we have adhered closely to ideas offeredby experts as we continue focusing on the health of our horses
and jockeys."
In Tuesday's letter to the CHRB, Fravel questioned one of thepotential logistical hurdles standing in the way of CARF's
proposal: A golf course that operates on the Pleasanton infield.
"There is clearly a contractual issue with the golf operator thatis not disclosed in the materials and extremely vague language
regarding protocols that will be implemented," wrote Fravel.
In a prior letter to CHRB chair, Greg Ferraro, members of the
California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) and the Jockey's Guildurged the board to support year-round racing in the North,arguing that issues with the infield golf course had already beenaddressed.
"Active play and access to the golf course will continue to bestrictly prohibited during racing hours as has been done in thepast," the letter states.
"Horse racing and the golf course are both important to thecommunity. It does no good to permanently close the golfcourse only to anger the community. Horse, rider, andpersonnel safety remains the single greatest priority; however,
we firmly believe both can coexist--as has been successfully
done for over 40 years," the letter adds.
"Nets surrounding the golf course provide cover, and since
they have been put in place, there have been no accidents. In
addition, Alameda County Fair will actively manage and limit
play and course activities during training to areas of the coursethat pose little risk to balls being hit on to the track. For
example, these managed activities will include supervised youth
programs like the First Tee," the letter states. Cont.

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 12 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

CARF statement, cont.
Outspoken owner-breeder Tom Bachman said Wednesday
In a brief call Wednesday with owner-breeder Justin Oldfieldthat 1/ST's letter to the CHRB comes after too many cuts to the-part of a working group geared around cultivating the plan--heindustry by the company and too little investment.
said that CARF has put forward"They should be trying to makea proposal that meets all thethe pie bigger rather than trying
CHRB's required conditions.
to take a bigger piece of a
"Tomorrow, it's absolutely
shrinking pie," said Bachman.
imperative that the CHRB
"They do the opposite of what
weigh in and award us dates
they should be doing."
based on the merits of that
As for potential purse cuts atplan," he said.
Santa Anita, earlier this week the"We have a lawful and tested
California Thoroughbred Breeders
racing association that's going
Association (CTBA) announced
to manage the meet. We have
how purse bonuses paid tofinancing that's been put up as
California-breds that win maiden
seed money that shows theraces would be sliced when Santa
strength of the 13 member
Anita's spring meet begins on Apr.
fairs within CARF," said
19, as first reported by the DRF.
Oldfield.
The bonuses--which are being
Racing at Pleasanton | Vassar Photography"People want to stay here,"cut from $17,500 to $15,000--areOldfield added. "There are families. Businesses. There's anpaid to maiden winners in open company or state-bred races atagricultural component to this. Three-quarters of the horses inraces at 4 1/2 furlongs or more.
the North are Cal-Bred. Look, those horses aren't going to go
south."

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 13 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

KENTUCKY OAKS FUTURE WAGER FAVORITEIMPEL POINTING FOR ASHLAND by Steve Sherack

Unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Impel closed as the 7-1 favorite inlast weekend's lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager | Coady
Unbeaten Juddmonte homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' Impel(Quality Road), favored at 7-1 in last weekend's lone Kentucky
Oaks Future Wager pool, is being aimed to make her stakes
debut in the GI Central Bank Ashland S. on opening day at
Keeneland Apr. 5.
ABrad is saying that he wants to go to the Ashland with her
next, which she would have to do and perform well there to getto the Oaks,@ Juddmonte USA General Manager Garrett
O'Rourke said.
Brad, of course, is two-time GI Kentucky Oaks-winning trainer
Brad Cox (Monomoy Girl 2018 and Shedaresthedevil 2020).
AIf things don't go right, there's no pressure to keep moving
forward,@ O'Rourke continued. AIf they do go right, well, it sets
her up, you know? We'll see what happens.@
Betting on the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager totaled $69,717($48,334 in the win pool and $21,384 in exactas). Last year'schampion 2-year-old filly Just F Y I (Justify), unraced since
capping her perfect season with a win in the GI Breeders' Cup
Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, closed as the second choice at 8-1.
Just F Y I was scratched due to a fever just hours before what
was to be her much-anticipated 3-year-old debut for Bill Mott in
the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream Mar. 2.
AObviously, look, I was a little surprised that's the way people
bet it,@ O'Rourke said. AIt puts the pressure on when I saw that
she was favored.@O'Rourke added with a big laugh, AAlso, remember, it wasn't ahuge pool, so it only would've taken one or two of Brad's
exercise boys to just put a few bets on her and ruin the price forthe rest of us.@

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

Impel earned her 'Rising Star' badge with a visually impressive
debut victory at a generous 7-2 sprinting at Fair Grounds Jan. 1.
She aced her two-turn test with an explosive stalk-and-pounce
8 1/2-length victory in a deep optional claimer going 1 1/16
miles at Oaklawn Park Mar. 3. She earned a 91 Beyer Speed
Figure in the latter.
Impel returned to the worktab with a four-furlong breeze in:49.80 (52/74) at Fair Grounds Mar. 15.
Impel's leading sire Quality Road is responsible for 15 Grade I
winners worldwide, including 2017 Kentucky Oaks heroine Abel
Tasman. Juddmonte acquired Impel's Claiborne Farm-bred andstakes-winning dam/GII Gallant Bloom H. runner-up Your Love
(Flatter) for $480,000 out of the ELiTE consignment on behalf ofthe late Paul P. Pompa, Jr. and WinStar Farm at the 2019
Keeneland November sale.
Your Love, a half-sister to GSW & MGISP Well Monied (Maria'sMon); GSW & GISP Happy American (Runhappy); MSW & GSP
Jimmy Simms (Lost Soldier); and a full-sister to GSW & GISP
Economic Model, is also responsible for a yearling filly by Curlin.
After losing her pregnancy to Not This Time this year, Your Love
recently checked back in foal to the promising young Taylor
Made stallion, per O'Rourke. Impel is her first foal.
AShe's come along beautifully,@ O'Rourke said of Impel. AShe'sa lovely, big scopey filly. The well-bred ones that look good are
the ones that are supposed to be good. It's nice when they are. I
guess there was always a doubt in the back of mind about her
staying. Her mother was a sprinter and the Quality Roads can goboth ways. She was so impressive when she broke her maiden
and also when she went the two turns so readily.@
O'Rourke concluded, ABut from here on in, she's gonna have tostep it up to be confident that she's an Oaks winner.@

TIMBERLAKE CONFIRMED FOR ARKANSASDERBYWinStar Farm and Siena Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake(Into Mischief), winner of the Feb. 24 GII Rebel S., will return toOaklawn Park for the Mar. 30 GI Arkansas Derby, trainer Brad
Cox confirmed Wednesday.
AI like the timing,@ Cox said. AObviously, he has the experience
there now, that one run under him. I kind of thought the Rebel
was the spot when we were getting started. At the beginning of
the winter, we thought the Rebel was the spot. It worked out.@
Timberlake worked five furlongs in 1:02.00 (18/30) at Cox's
Fair Grounds base last Friday. The colt won last year's GI
Champagne S. and second in the GI Hopeful S. The Rebel was his
first start since finishing fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Cont.

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 14 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

Timberlake, cont.

Timberlake | Coady Photography
Cox has won the last two renewals of the Arkansas Derby, with
Cyberknife (Gun Runner) in 2022 and Angel of Empire(Pioneerof the Nile) in 2023. He could become the first trainer to
win the race in three straight years.
Other horses pointing to the Arkansas Derby include Mystik
Dan (Goldencents), Liberal Arts (Arrogate), Just Steel (Justify)
and Time for Truth (Omaha Beach).

OBS SPRING SALE CATALOGUE ONLINE
The catalogue for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring
Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training is now available online at thecompany's website, obssales.com. A total of 1,207 juveniles
have been catalogued for the four-day sale, which will be held
Apr. 16-19. Bidding begins at 10:30 a.m. for each session. The
auction's under-tack show will be held Apr. 7-13, beginning eachday at 8 a.m.
Recent graduates of the Spring Sale include Grade I winners
Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo); Arabian Lion (Justify); Du Jour
(Temple City); Practical Move (Practical Joke); Saudi Crown(Always Dreaming); and Carson's Run (Cupid).
OBS will again offer online bidding during the Spring Sale.
Buyers will be register for online bidding on the OBS website.
For complete information on registration and online bidding,click here.

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

JAKE DELHOMME JOINS TDN WRITERS=ROOM PODCAST
He=s best known as a former NFL quarterback who nearly beat
Tom Brady in Super Bowl XXXVIII. But Jake Delhomme, whostarred for the Carolina Panthers, is also a passionate horseowner who, along with his father Jerry and his brother Jeff,
operates Set-Hut Stable LLC. The Delhomme clan focuses on
Louisiana-breds and this year they have come up with one of thebest ever. Touchuponastar (Star Guitar) is 11-for-14 lifetime andwill run this weekend at Fair Grounds, either against open
company in Saturday=s $500,000 GII New Orleans Classic oragainst state-breds the next day in the Star Guitar S.
To talk about Touchuponastar, his love affair with racing andeven a bit about his NFL career, Delhomme joined this week=s
TDN Writers= Room podcast presented by Keeneland. He wasthis week=s Green Group Guest of the Week.
The Delhommes bought Touchuponastar for $15,000 at the
Texas Thoroughbred Association Yearling sale, which has turned
out to be quite the bargain as the horse has earned $708,100.
AHe's been a dream come true, to be quite honest,@
Delhomme said. AI was lucky enough to purchase him at the
Texas yearling sale. He was one that I followed, along with thebreeders, Coteau Grove Farms. They have done a marvelous jobof bringing along some fine animals. Andrew Cary is theirbloodstock advisor, and I've been involved with Andrew since2007. The first time I went to Keeneland and bought my firstmare there, off of Hill >n= Dale Farms, he was the director ofsales then. We developed a friendship over the years. We'll go
to Coteau Grove and see the horses. There was something
about this horse I always liked and I watched him grow up. He
looks very much like his sire, Star Guitar, who was a great
regional racehorse here in Louisiana.@ Cont.

Click on the image of Jake Delhomme to watch the podcast
Getty Images

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 15 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

Delhomme on Writers' Room podcast, cont.
He continued: A So this was one that I had my eye on. I try to
buy a couple of yearlings every year, try to breed a couple.
We=re a fairly small stable, eight to 10 horses. So we went to the
Texas sale and I bid just one time. I was watching the action and
I was prepared to go a lot higher. It was just one of those gooddeals and we were lucky enough to get him.@
While his brother Jeff is listed as the trainer, Jake is very
hands-on and works right alongside his brother and father.
AI do pretty much anything and everything,@ Delhomme said.
AI'd like to think we're a selfless stable, to be quite honest. SetHut is the owner and Dad and Jeff both train. But I'll be honest,
it's all of us. We're there every day. It's a family affair. Had I not
played sports, I have a pretty good inclination that I would havegone into racing right away.@

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar and XBTV.com, theteam of Randy Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman discussed thenews that Nysos (Nyquist) has been sidelined and will probably
miss all of the Triple Crown races and the latest developments in
Maryland, where 1/ST Racing is donating Pimlico to the state.
And they previewed the big weekend cards coming up at Fair
Grounds and at Turfway Park, where 3-year-olds will vie for
Derby points in the GII Louisiana Derby and the GIII Jeff Ruby
Steaks S.
To watch the podcast, click here. To listen to an audio of the
podcast , click here.

WANAMAKER'S MARCH CATALOGUE ONLINE

Touchuponastar | Hodges Photography

Like many retired athletes that have gone into racing after
their careers are over, Delhomme said that the sport fills a needin his life and keeps his competitive juices flowing.
ARacing helps fill that competitive void,@ Delhomme said. AI
mean I retired when I was, what, 37 or 38 years old? But I
retired from football, not from real life. At that age, you're justkind of getting started, so to speak. Racing has given me that
avenue. I've never looked for anything else to do once I finishedplaying. You need something to do because you're used to justthis lifestyle of work, work, work, work. I think anyone can attest
that being in the horse racing business is just that, work, work,
work. It=s all the time.@
In our breeding spotlight section we took a look at the
Coolmore stallion Jack Christopher and the WinStar stallion
Global Campaign.
Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by thePennsylvania Horse Breeders= Association, Coolmore, 1/ST

The catalogue for the Wanamaker's March Sale catalogue can
now be viewed on the company's website, wanamakers.com.
The online auction includes offerings of yearlings, horses ofracing age, open broodmares and stallion seasons.
Highlights of the catalogue include: the 5-year-old BreakThings (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), the Maryland-bred 3-year-old filly Big
Wanda (Mendelssohn); and a Louisiana-bred yearling colt fromthe second crop of Aurelius Maximus.
Bidding will open at 8 a.m. ET Mar. 28, with the first listing set
to close at 5 p.m. Subsequent listings will close in three-minuteincrements. Detailed information on the buying process
can be found at wanamakers.com/buy.

JUVENILES SUPPLEMENTED TO TTA 2YO SALE
Six 2-year-olds have been supplemented to the catalogue for
the Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, which is scheduled for
Wednesday, Apr. 3, the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA)
announced Wednesday.
Catalogued as hips 125-130, the juveniles are by Aurelius
Maximus, Bradester, Competitive Edge, Complexity, Frosted,
and Vekoma. A paper supplemental catalogue will be available
Mar. 31, while the interactive catalogue at TTAsales.com has
already been updated, as has the Equineline iPad app.
The sale begins at 10 a.m. CT in the Lone Star Park Sales
Pavilion with the breeze show set for Apr. 1.

TDN HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 16 OF 16 • THETDN.COM

TAA ON SITE AT TURFWAY FOR JEFF RUBY DAY
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be on-site at
Turfway Park for the Jeff Ruby Steaks card Saturday. The
Kentucky track will honor the TAA with a named race, race six,which has a post time of 3:13 p.m. Following the conclusion of
the race, a presentation will be made to the winning
connections, which will include a TAA blanket and gift bag withbranded merchandise.
ATurfway Park is excited to welcome back Thoroughbred
Aftercare Alliance for our Jeff Ruby Steaks Day,@ said Turfway
director of racing and racing secretary Tyler Picklesimer. ARaisingawareness for accredited aftercare is crucial for the longevity
and safety of horse racing.@

FIRST MARES IN FOAL FOR NEW STALLIONS AT
PLEASANT ACRESThe four first-year stallions at Pleasant Acres Stallions in
Florida--Verifying, Doppelganger, Simplification, and Chess
Chief--as well as Bodexpress, who is new to Florida after
standing three years in California, all have had multiple mares
confirmed in foal to kick off their stud careers.
ASince the breeding shed opened this season, we have had avery active stallion barn,@ said Christine Jones, the farm's
director of stallion services. AWe have recently received
confirmation that all five of our exciting new stallions havemares in foal, so we are off to a great start.@
The new stallions at Pleasant Acres were featured in a TDN
video earlier this week.

THURSDAY • MARCH 21, 2024

Saturday, Fair Grounds #12, post time: 6:42 p.m. EDTTWINSPIRES.COM LOUISIANA DERBY-GII, $1,000,000, 3yo, 1 3/16m
PP HORSESIRE
OWNER
TRAINER
1 Triple Espresso K
Omaha Beach
Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC
Pletcher
2 Hall of Fame
Gun Runner
Mrs John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Asmussen
Westerberg, Gandharvi LLC and Brook T. Smith
3 Antiquarian K
Preservationist
Centennial Farms
Pletcher
4 Agate Road K
Quality Road
Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC
Pletcher
5 Catching Freedom K
Constitution
Albaugh Family Stables LLC
Cox
6 Awesome Ruta
Mendelssohn
Tri-Star Racing, LLC and Cimarron TTT Farms LLC Foster
7 Honor Marie K
Honor CodeRibble Farms LLC, Michael H. Eiserman, Earl Silver, Beckman
Kenneth E. and Daniel Fishbein
8 Next Level K
Vino Rosso
Don't Tell My Wife Stables
Desormeaux
9 Real Men Violin K
Mendelssohn
Tilted Shamrock Stables
McPeek
10 Common Defense K
Karakontie (Jpn)
Tony Holmes
McPeek11 Tuscan Gold K
Medaglia d'Oro
William Lawrence, Walmac Farm and Stonestreet Brown
12 Track Phantom K
Quality Road
L and N Racing LLC, Clark Brewster, Jerry Caroom Asmussen
and Breeze Easy, LLC

JOCKEY
Saez
Santana, Jr.

WT
122
122

Velazquez
Ortiz, Jr.
Prat
Murrill
Curtis

122
122
122
122
122

Riquelme
Lanerie
Hernandez, Jr.
Gaffalione
Rosario

122
122
122
122
122

Breeders: 1-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables, 2-Earle I. Mack LLC, 3-Brereton C. Jones, 4-CHC, Inc., 5-WinStar Farm, LLC, 6-Brian Levings, 7-Royce
Pulliam, 8-White Fox Farm, 9-Newtown Anner Stud, 10-Tony Holmes, Norevale Farm & Union Dale, 11-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, 12-Breeze
Easy, LLC
Saturday, Fair Grounds #9, post time: 5:04 p.m. EDTNEW ORLEANS CLASSIC S. PRESENTED BY RELYNE GI BY HAGYARD-GII, $500,000, 4yo/up, 1 1/8m
PP HORSESIRE
OWNER
TRAINER
1 Red Route One
Gun Runner
Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
Asmussen
2 Gasoline
CurlinHarrell Ventures, LLC and CHC INC.
Pletcher
3 Touchuponastar
Star Guitar
Set-Hut LLC
Delhomme
4 Black Belt
Not This TimeEKB Stables LLC and P&L Thoroughbred Racing
Walder
5 Money Supply K
Practical Joke
Jordan V. Wycoff
Sharp
6 Happy American K
Runhappy
Neil L. Pessin
Pessin7 Super Corinto (Arg)
Super Saver
Jet Set Racing Stable
Correas, IV
8 Velocitor
Mor Spirit
Ulwelling, Al and Bill
Scherer
9 Best Actor K
Flatter
Steve Moger
Cox
10 Lure Him In
KhozanC2 Racing Stable LLC, Double B Racing Stables,
Joseph, Jr.
Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch and Mach 1Stables

JOCKEY
Rosario
Velazquez
Thornton
Hernandez, Jr.
Gaffalione
Lanerie
Ortiz, Jr.
Cohen
Prat
Gonzalez

WT
118
120
122
118
122
118
118
118
120
122

Breeders: 1-Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC, 2-China Horse Club International, LTD., 3-Coteau Grove Farms, 4-Springland Farm & Duncan Taylor, 5-Jeff
Little, Teresa Little,Marilyn Little & William Lynn, 6-Claiborne Farm, 7-Firmamento, 8-Al Ulwelling & Bill Ulwelling, 9-E. H. Beau Lane, Gail McMichael Lane,J.
B. Lane Orem & Michael Orem, 10-Stonehedge LLC

Saturday, Fair Grounds #11, post time: 6:08 p.m. EDT
FAIR GROUNDS OAKS PRESENTED BY FASIG-TIPTON-GII, $400,000, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m
PP HORSESIRE
OWNER
TRAINER
1 V V's Dream K
Mitole
MJM Racing and Magdalena Racing
McPeek2 Midsummer March K Mendelssohn
Walking L Thoroughbreds, LLC
McPeek
3 Alpine Princess K
Classic Empire
Full of Run Racing II, LLC and Madaket Stables LLC Cox
4 Lucy Got Game K
Vino Rosso
Gregory Tramontin
Amoss
5 Tarifa
Bernardini
Godolphin, LLC
Cox
6 Intricate K
Gun Runner
Bradley Thoroughbreds, Laura Leigh Stable,
Walsh
Scott Estes and Cambron Equine, LLC
7 Our Pretty Woman K Medaglia d'Oro
Courtlandt Farms
Asmussen
8 Accommodate Eva K Munnings
Valene Farms LLC
StewartJOCKEY
Hernandez, Jr.
Gutierrez
GerouxMoralesPrat
Gaffalione

WT
122
122
122
122
122
122

Rosario
Lanerie122
122

Breeders: 1-Mark Stansell, 2-Mountmellick Farm, LLC, 3-Betz/DJ Stables/Peter V.Lamantia/Classic Empire Syndicate, 4-Milfer Farm Inc., 5-Godolphin,
6-LBD Stable, LLC, 7-Woods Edge Farm, LLC & Godolphin, 8-Brad King & Todd Fincher
Saturday, Fair Grounds #10, post time: 5:36 p.m. EDT
MUNIZ MEMORIAL CLASSIC S. PRESENTED BY HORSE RACING NATION-GII, $300,000, 4yo/up, 1 1/8mT
PP HORSESIRE
OWNER
TRAINER
1 Adhamo (Ire)Intello (Ger)Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables & Louis Lazzinnaro Brown
2 Strong Quality
Quality Road
Gary Barber and Kinsman Stable
Casse
3 Webslinger K
Constitution
D. J. Stable LLC
Casse
4 Beatbox K
Pioneerof the Nile
Rob Comestro and Jeff Ganje
DeVaux5 Irish Aces K
MshawishPocket Aces Racing LLC
Walsh
6 Palazzi K
Pioneerof the Nile
Gary Barber
Casse
7 Gigante K
Not This Time
Diamond T Racing LLC and Iapetus Racing LLC
Asmussen
8 Point Proven K
Gun RunnerNorman C. Miller IV
Cohn
9 Johny's Fireball K
Tonalist
AJ Suited Racing Stable, LLC, D C Racing and
Casse
Brilliant Racing, LLC
10 Rising Empire K
Empire Maker
Russell Welch and Ran M. Leonard
Walsh
11 Risk Manager
Lookin At Lucky
Case Chambers
Maker
12 Woods N Water
PalacePainter, Richard and Dewberry Farm
Thomas
13 I'm Very Busy
Cloud Computing
Team Hanley, R. Schermerhorn & P Braverman
Brown

JOCKEY
Gaffalione
Velazquez
Prat
Rosario
Hernandez, Jr.
Loveberry
Morales
Lanerie
Santana, Jr.

WT
118
122
118
122
120
118
122
118
120

GrahamGutierrez
Green
Ortiz, Jr.

118
118
118
120

Breeders: 1-Wertheimer et Frere, 2-Kinsman Farm, 3-Kenneth L. Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey, 4-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC, 5-Lynch Bages LTD, 6-HnR
Nothhaft Horseracing LLC &Pioneerof the Nile Syndicate, 7-Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm, 8-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC, 9-R. S. Evans,
10-Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD., 11-Kenneth L. Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey, 12-Orange Grove Thoroughbreds, Inc. &Richard Painter, 13-Glenn E. Brok
LLC & Mark Toothaker

Saturday, Turfway #12, post time: 6:25 p.m. EDTJEFF RUBY STEAKS-GIII, $700,000, 3yo, 1 1/8m
PP HORSE
SIRE
1 Freedom Principle K
Flameaway
2 Dancing Groom K
Vino Rosso
3 Lucky Jeremy K
Lookin At Lucky
4 Noted K
Cairo Prince
5 Agate Road K
Quality Road
6 Northern Flame
Flameaway
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Woodcourt K
OtelloSeize the Grey
Endlessly
Baytown Chatterbox K
West Saratoga K
Circle P K
Triple Espresso K

Ransom the Moon
CurlinArrogate
Oscar PerformanceStreet Sense
Exaggerator
Speightster
Omaha Beach

OWNER
Echo Papa Racing Corp.
Alexandres, LLC
Jeremy Ramsland
Repole Stable
Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC
Jack Oxley, Harold Lerner LLC, AWC Stables
and Magdalena Racing
Contreras Stable Inc.
Siena Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLCMyRacehorse
Amerman Racing LLC
Baytown Partnership and Resolute Racing Alliance
Harry L. Veruchi
DeSales 85 LLC
Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC

TRAINER
Garoffalo
Sano
Morey
Pletcher
Pletcher
McPeekJOCKEY
Beschizza
Dettori
CorralesSaez
Ortiz
Leparoux

WT
123
123
123
123
123
123

Contreras
Clement
Lukas
McCarthy
McEntee
Demeritte
StitesPletcher

MachadoCastellano
JuarezRispoli
Jimenez
CastanonConner
Ortiz

123
123
123
123
123
123
123
123

Breeders: 1-Lantern Hill Farm LLC, 2-Don Alberto Corporation, 3-Mr. & Mrs. Craig L Minten, 4-Brereton C. Jones, 5-CHC, Inc., 6-Debby M Oxley, 7-Michelle
Lovell, 8-Siena Farms LLC, 9-Jamm, LTD., 10-Mrs. Jerry Amerman, 11-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC, 12-Two Hearts Farm II LLC, 13-Marathon Farms, Inc.,
14-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables
Saturday, Oaklawn #9, post time: 5:55 p.m. EDT
ESSEX H.-GIII, $600,000, 4yo/up, 1 1/8m
PP HORSE
SIRE
1 Ain't Life Grand
Not This Time
2 Lure Him In
Khozan3
4

Wizard of Westwood K Tu Brutus (Chi)Great Escape K
Midnight Storm

5
6
7
8
9

Magic Tap K
War Campaign
Time for Trouble K
Seize the Night K
First Mission

Tapit
Declaration of War
English Channel
Carpe Diem
Street Sense

OWNER
RPM Thoroughbreds
C2 Racing Stable LLC, Double B Racing Stables,
Braverman, Paul, Pinch, Timothy & Mach 1 Stables
Warren, Andrew N. and Warren, Rania
Bennewith, Arnold, Wiest, Rick, Clayton & Lana,
Howg, R, R6 Stables, Kropp, Gary & Tremblay, N
Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
Jerry Namy
Thorndale Stable LLC and Hiles, Jeff A.
Willis Horton Racing LLC
Godolphin, LLC

TRAINERVon Hemel
Joseph, Jr.

JOCKEY
GarciaGonzalez

WT
117
118

McCarthy
DiodoroVazquez
Hernandez

117
118

Asmussen
Sims
Hiles
Milligan, Jr.
Cox

AsmussenEsquivel
Bejarano
TorresGeroux

118
119
117
118
121

Breeders: 1-RPM Thoroughbreds, 2-Stonehedge LLC, 3-Pope McLean, 4-Usquebaugh Stables, LLC, 5-Don Alberto Corporation, 6-Jerry Namy, 7-Calumet
Farm, 8-Cove Springs Farm LLC, 9-Godolphin

Saturday, Turfway #10, post time: 5:13 p.m. EDTTWINSPIRES KENTUCKY CUP CLASSIC S.-GIII, $300,000, 4yo/up, 1 1/8m
PP HORSESIRE
OWNER
TRAINER
1 Surly Furious
UpstartNovogratz Racing Stables Inc.
Wismer
2 Verstappen K
War Front
Andrew Farm, For the People Racing Stable LLC
Walshand Windmill Manor Farm
3 Wolfie's Dynaghost
Ghostzapper
Woodslane Farm
Thomas4 Harlan Estate K
Kantharos
Graham Grace Stable
Beckman
5 Cellist
Big Blue Kitten
Calumet Farm
Arnold, II
6 Wentru K
TouristFrank Taylor, BlackRidge Stables, Deters Company, Walden
James B. Keogh and Michael McCabe
7 Curlin's Malibu K
CurlinWilliam Earl Atkins
Atkins8 AtoneInto Mischief
Three Diamonds Farm
Maker
9 Tio Magico
Uncle Mo
Agave Racing Stable and Sam-Son Farm
D'Amato10 County Final K
Oxbow
Ken Copenhaver
Joseph, Jr.
11 Kitodan K
Point of Entry
Foster Family Racing, Douglas Miller & W. Wargel Foster
12 Funtastic Again K
FuntasticThree Chimneys Farm
Ward

JOCKEY
CedilloCannon

WT
124
120

Ortiz
Loveberry
Saez
Concepcion

120
120
120
120

Lagunes
Castellano
MachadoDettori
Rodriguez
Corrales

120
120
120
120
120
120

Breeders: 1-Brereton C. Jones, 2-Frank Hutchinson, 3-Woodslane Farm, 4-Tall Oaks Farm, 5-Calumet Farm, 6-Don Alberto Corporation, 7-Stonestreet
Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, 8-Godolphin, 9-Sam-Son Farm, 10-Calumet Farm, 11-Flaxman Holdings Limited, 12-BHMFR, LLC
Saturday, Santa Anita #7, post time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
SAN LUIS REY S.-GIII, $100,000, 4yo/up, 1 1/2mT
PP HORSE
SIRE
OWNER
1 Resultant K
FrostedH and E Ranch, Inc.
2 Offlee NaughtyFlashbackDaniell, James M. and Daniell, Donna
3 Balladeer
Distorted Humor
Nguyen, Calvin and Tran, Joey C.
4 Missed the Cut K
Quality Road
Bee Zee LLC, Lanes End Racing,
St. Elias Stables, LLC, Babington, Edward P.,
Hudson, Jr., Edward J. and Hudson, Lynne
5 Planetario (Brz)Il Doge (Brz)
Red Rafa Stud, Inc

TRAINER
HansonMcCarthy
Papaprodromou
Sadler

JOCKEY
Gonzalez
Hernandez
Espinoza
Fresu

WT
120
124
124
124

Mandella

Berrios

124

Breeders: 1-Sandra Sexton, 2-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc., 3-Bonne Chance Farm, LLC, 4-Framont LTD, 5-Stud Red Rafa

THURSDAY=S RACING INSIGHTS:
By J.N. Campbell

Stonestreet's Dreaming of Julia | Katie Petrunyak

WELL-BRED JUSTICE JULIA MAKES 3-YEAROLD DEBUT AT GULFSTREAM
2nd-GP, $89K, Msw, 3yo/up, f, 1mT, 1:40 p.m. ET.
JUSTICE JULIA (Medaglia d'Oro) was a well-beaten fifth
sprinting six furlongs in the Saratoga mud behind fellow
Stonestreet hombred Emery (More Than Ready) and subsequent
GIII Florida Oaks heroine Waskesiu (American Pharoah).
On the work tab since late January at trainer Todd Pletcher's
Palm Beach Downs base, the 3-year-old is out of broodmare of
the year Dreaming of Julia (A.P. Indy), who also produced
champion 3-year-old Malathaat (Curlin) and her full-sister GSW
Julia Shining.
Making her first start for trainer Riley Mott, is Ms Lady deVega (Ire) (Lope de Vega), who was a 240,000gns purchase by
Linda Juckette at the 2021 Tattersalls October Sale. TJCIS PPSIN ORDER OF PURSE:
5th-Fair Grounds, $58,000, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000),
3-20, 3yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:04.49, fm, 3 1/4 lengths.
IMABOUTAGO (IRE) (f, 3, Calyx {GB}--Newtown Pippin {GB},by Dubawi {Ire}) debuted with a front-running score at
Gulfstream Dec. 8 and was installed the even-money favorite to
make it two straight here. Sent straight to the fore again thistime, she blazed through an opening quarter in :22.26.
Comfortably in command turning for home, the Irish-bredsophomore cruised under the wire a confident 3 1/4-length
winner over Tipsy Runner (Omaha Beach) with Intermittent Fast
(Tapwrit) rounding out the trifecta. The winner's dam produced
a colt by Cotai Glory (GB) last season. Sales history: i12,000
Wlg '21 GOFNO1; 105,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT. Lifetime Record:
2-2-0-0, $70,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO,
sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-e Five Racing Thoroughbreds; B-Ennistown Stud (IRE);
T-Wesley A. Ward.

CAN’T WAIT TO GET YOURTDN BREAKING NEWS AND
RACE RESULTS?
Click Here to sign up for TDN Alerts

Calyx | Coolmore

TDN NORTH AMERICAN • PAGE 2 OF 4 • THETDN.COM

THURSDAY • MARCH 21. 2024

Maximus Mischief (Into Mischief), Spendthrift Farm, $25,000
231 foals of racing age/41 winners/3 black-type winners
3-Fair Grounds, 2:45 p.m. EDT, Msw 1m, Dr. Boo, 15-1
$37,000 KEE SEP yrl; $50,000 OBS OPN 2yo
6-Charles Town, 9:21 p.m. EDT, Alw 4 1/2f, Kristinachrysalis, 9-5$50,000 RNA FTK FEB wnl

IN ORDER OF PURSE:
7th-Fair Grounds, $57,000, Msw, 3-20, 3yo, 1mT, 1:40.49, fm,
1 length.
NIGHT OUT (c, 3, More Than Ready--Carnival Lass, by Distorted
Humor) hit the board in two of three starts over a mile,
including a last-out third going a sixteenth farther in his turf bow
here Feb. 15. Settled in a stalking position through moderate
opening splits, the bay took over in the stretch and was a lengthclear of Special Dispatch (Mendelssohn) at the wire. Carnival
Lass is also responsible for a yearling by Not This Time and wasbred back to Nyquist. She is most notably a granddaughter ofDelta Princess (A.P. Indy), the dam of three-time champion andearner of over $4.8 million Royal Delta (Empire Maker). Lifetime
Record: 6-1-1-2, $57,540. Click for the Equibase.com chart or
VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Godolphin, LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Michael Stidham.

SECOND-CROP STARTERS TO WATCH: THURSDAY, MARCH 21
2024 Stud Fees Listed
Catalina Cruiser (Union Rags), Lane's End Farm, $10,000
173 foals of racing age/19 winners/0 black-type winners
1-Oaklawn, 1:30 p.m. EDT, Msw 1 1/16m, First of His Name,
12-1$400,000 OBS APR 2yo
Catholic Boy (More Than Ready), Claiborne Farm, $10,000
161 foals of racing age/19 winners/1 black-type winner
1-Oaklawn, 1:30 p.m. EDT, Msw 1 1/16m, Brio, 10-1
$40,000 FTD MAR 2yo
Coal Front (Stay Thirsty), Spendthrift Farm, $5,000
80 foals of racing age/13 winners/2 black-type winners
3-Fair Grounds, 2:45 p.m. EDT, Msw 1m, In B. J.'s Honor, 5-1

STAKES RESULTS:
ATBA THREE YEAR OLD SALES S., (NB) $42,935, Turf Paradise,
3-19, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:11.78, ft.
1--STORMYLUX, 122, f, 3, Sir Prancealot (Ire)--Tiz Goldilux, byTizdejavu. ($8,000 RNA Ylg '22 FTCAYR; $1,500 Ylg '22
ARZNOV). O-Alvarez Racing Stables, LLC; B-Regan Wright &Easterbrook Livestock Management (CA); T-Sergio Alvarez;
J-Cerapio Figueroa. $24,197. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0,$29,897.
2--Ez Arizona, 122, f, 3, Ez Effort--Arizona Ranger, by U S Ranger.
($3,500 Ylg '22 ARZNOV). *1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Alvarez
Racing Stables, LLC; B-fleming Thoroughbred Farm LlC, Bill
Matthews, and Filippo Santoro (AZ); T-Sergio Alvarez. $9,219.
3--Tia Suzi, 122, f, 3, Lotsa Mischief--My Indy Kitty, by Tale of
the Cat. ($1,500 Ylg '22 ARZNOV). O-Alvarez Racing Stables,
LLC; B-Fleming Thoroughbred Farm LLC (AZ); T-Sergio Alvarez.
$4,659.
Margins: HF, NK, NK. Odds: 3.80, 15.10, 74.60.

TDN NORTH AMERICAN • PAGE 3 OF 4 • THETDN.COM

ATBA THREE YEAR OLD SALES S., (NB) $42,636, Turf Paradise,
3-19, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:09.88, ft.
1--GREASE MISSLE, 122, f, 3, Clubhouse Ride--Midnighthush,by Midnight Lute. O-Jeremy Ramsland; B-Dino & Josephine
Bates (CA); T-Bart G. Hone; J-Geovanni Franco. $24,198.
Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-2, $125,528.
2--Calebs Lady, 122, f, 3, Caleb's Posse--Lady of Honor, by
Algorithms. O-Eugene Schroder, Larry C Porter. and Caleb
Bullock; B-Leonard Eugene Schroder DVM, Larry Porter &Caleb Gene Bullock (OK); T-Kevin Eikleberry. $9,219.
3--Lotsa Steel, 122, f, 3, Lotsa Mischief--Spinning Steel, byHard Spun. ($3,000 Ylg '22 ARZNOV). O-Alvarez Racing Stables,
LLC; B-Fleming Thoroughbred Farm LLC (AZ); T-Sergio Alvarez.
$4,659.
Margins: 8 1/4, 3 1/4, 6. Odds: 0.05, 21.70, 39.30.
ALLOWANCE RESULTS:
4th-Fair Grounds, $59,000, (S), 3-20, (NW3L), 4yo/up, f/m, 1m
70y, 1:44.28, ft, 4 1/4 lengths.
OLIVIA G (f, 4, Strong Mandate--Adrianne G {MSP, $346,012},
by Indygo Shiner) Lifetime Record: MSP, 14-3-6-2, $195,260.
O/B-Thomas M. Galvin (LA); T-Patricia G. West. *1/2 to A G's
Charlotte (Mo Tom), MSW, $458,410.
3rd-Fair Grounds, $57,000, (NW2$X)/Opt. Clm ($50,000), 3-20,
4yo/up, 5 1/2fT, 1:04.17, fm, 3 1/4 lengths.
AMBIVALENT (h, 6, Constitution--Screwgie, by Smart Strike)
Lifetime Record: GSP, 15-3-3-3, $210,100. O-Gulliver Racing LLC;
B-J Stephen McDonald (KY); T-Grant T. Forster. *$95,000 Ylg '19
KEESEP; $550,000 RNA 2yo '20 OBSMAR; $45,000 5yo '23
FTCAYR. **1/2 to Spungie (Hard Spun), MSP, $275,550.

9th-Parx Racing, $52,800, (NW2X)/Opt. Clm ($35,000), 3-20,
4yo/up, 1m 70y, 1:44.69, ft, 2 1/4 lengths.
COUNTERSPY (g, 4, Gun Runner--Simplify {SW & GSP,
$261,658}, by Pulpit) Lifetime Record: 12-4-3-0, $150,117.
O-Jack J. Armstrong; B-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY);
T-Robert Mosco. *$150,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $47,000 3yo '23
KEENOV. **Full to Optionality, MSW, $193,798; 1/2 to Simple
Surprise (Cowboy Cal), SW, $185,446.

10th-Turf Paradise, $31,500, (NW1X)/Opt. Clm($12,500-$16,000), 3-19, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:37.34, ft, nose.
LORRAINE'S LEGACY (f, 4, Include--Loving Lorraine, byBernstein) Lifetime Record: 11-4-3-0, $81,570. O-Kenneth M.
White; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (KY); T-Lisa Gangidino.

THURSDAY • MARCH 21. 2024

6th-Mahoning Valley, $28,900, 3-20, (NW1X), 3yo/up, 1m,
1:41.96, gd, 1/2 length.
DARK BARON (g, 4, Outwork--Baroness Juliette, by
Speightstown) Lifetime Record: 12-2-2-0, $45,038. O-Kristina M.
Tumblin; B-MAMAS Thoroughbreds, LLC (IA); T-Andrew Tumblin.
*1/2 to No More Time (Not This Time), GSW, $226,780.
7th-Mahoning Valley, $27,500, 3-20, (NW4L), 3yo/up, 6f,
1:14.46, gd, 3/4 length.
STAR ENTERTAINER (h, 5, Union Rags--Trendy Chic, by Giant's
Causeway) Lifetime Record: 22-4-4-5, $105,600. O-Irish Charm
Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY);
T-Gary L. Johnson.
4th-Mahoning Valley, $25,900, 3-20, (NW2L), 3yo/up, f/m, 6f,
1:13.46, gd, 3 3/4 lengths.
OUTSPOKEN (f, 3, Violence--Melody Lady {SW}, by Unbridled'sSong) Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-0, $62,164. O-Eclipse
Thoroughbred Partners & Repole Stable; B-Whisper Hill Farm,
LLC (KY); T-Patricia Trimble. *$300,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP.
**Full to Volatile, GISW, $341,040; and Buy Sell Hold, SW & GSP,
$125,520.

ADDITIONAL MAIDEN WINNERS:Az We Speak, f, 3, Sharp Azteca--Speak No Evil, by Hear No Evil.
Mahoning Valley, 3-20, (S), 6f, 1:15.77. Lifetime Record:
1-1-0-0, $19,080. B-Robert M. Gorham (OH). *1ST-TIME
STARTER.
Cowboy Brody, g, 4, Brody's Cause--R Lady Hansen, by Hansen.
Will Rogers Downs, 3-20, (S), 1m, 1:39.66. Lifetime Record:
5-1-2-0, $29,529. B-Dale Schenian & Francisco Bravo (OK).
Mr Peloton, g, 4, Code West--Goodheartedgirl (SW, $194,304),
by Ellerton. Will Rogers Downs, 3-19, (S), 5 1/2f, 1:05.68.
Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $23,872. B-Robbin Caldwell (OK).
" " "Imaboutago (by Calyx {GB} remains undefeated with her confident
Fair Grounds victory Wednesday.
(click to watch)

TDN NORTH AMERICAN • PAGE 4 OF 4 • THETDN.COM

Golden Rebal, g, 4, Goldencents--Ten Crowns (SW), by Tenpins.
Will Rogers Downs, 3-20, 5 1/2f, 1:04.90. Lifetime Record:
6-1-2-1, $34,411. B-Silent Grove Farms LLC & Mineola Farm II,
LLC (KY). *$16,500 Ylg '21 FTKOCT.
Gospel Fabulous, f, 4, Gospel Tiz Key--Gospel Arrow, by Purim.
Will Rogers Downs, 3-20, (S), 1m, 1:41.08. Lifetime Record:
13-1-4-2, $49,924. B-Steve Williams (OK).
Fortysixcounts, g, 4, Khozan--Fru Fru, by Medaglia d'Oro.
Tampa Bay Downs, 3-20, 6f, 1:10.01. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0,$33,900. B-Stonehedge LLC (FL). *1/2 to Well Defined(With Distinction), GSW, $779,267. **1ST-TIME STARTER.
Delovely, f, 4, More Than Ready--Delightful, by Bernardini.
Mahoning Valley, 3-20, 6f, 1:14.78. Lifetime Record: 9-1-1-1,$25,601. B-Helen C. Alexander (KY). *$4,000 4yo '24 FTKFEB.

Malibu Springs, g, 4, Quality Road--Marquee Miss (MSW & GSP,
$373,516), by Cowboy Cal. Gulfstream, 3-20, 1 1/16mT,
1:39.84. Lifetime Record: 8-1-3-1, $101,138. B-WinStar Farm,
LLC (KY). *$85,000 3yo '23 KEEAPR.

Typhoon Lagoon, g, 5, Kitten's Joy--My Typhoon (Ire) (GISW,$1,308,361), by Giant's Causeway. Tampa Bay Downs, 3-20,
1mT, 1:34.70. Lifetime Record: 8-1-1-2, $60,940. B-Live Oak
Stud (FL).
Happy to Please, m, 5, Runhappy--Bartoletta, by Arch. Will
Rogers Downs, 3-20, 5 1/2f, 1:06.39. Lifetime Record: 4-1-1-1,$24,216. B-Claiborne Farm (KY). *$25,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP.

THURSDAY • MARCH 21. 2024

Clubhouse Ride, Grease Missle, f, 3, o/o Midnighthush, byMidnight Lute. ATBA Three Year Old Sales S., 3-19, Turf Paradise
Code West, Mr Peloton, g, 4, o/o Goodheartedgirl, by Ellerton.
MSW, 3-19, Will Rogers
Constitution, Ambivalent, h, 6, o/o Screwgie, by Smart Strike.
AOC, 3-20, Fair Grounds
Goldencents, Golden Rebal, g, 4, o/o Ten Crowns, by Tenpins.
MSW, 3-20, Will Rogers
Gospel Tiz Key, Gospel Fabulous, f, 4, o/o Gospel Arrow, by
Purim. MSW, 3-20, Will Rogers
Gun Runner, Counterspy, g, 4, o/o Simplify, by Pulpit. AOC, 3-20,
Parx Racing
Include, Lorraine's Legacy, f, 4, o/o Loving Lorraine, byBernstein. AOC, 3-19, Turf Paradise
Khozan, Fortysixcounts, g, 4, o/o Fru Fru, by Medaglia d'Oro.
MSW, 3-20, Tampa Bay
Kitten's Joy, Typhoon Lagoon, g, 5, o/o My Typhoon (Ire), by
Giant's Causeway. MSW, 3-20, Tampa Bay
More Than Ready, Delovely, f, 4, o/o Delightful, by Bernardini.
MSW, 3-20, Mahoning Valley
More Than Ready, Night Out, c, 3, o/o Carnival Lass, byDistorted Humor. MSW, 3-20, Fair Grounds
Outwork, Dark Baron, g, 4, o/o Baroness Juliette, by
Speightstown. ALW, 3-20, Mahoning Valley
Quality Road, Malibu Springs, g, 4, o/o Marquee Miss, by
Cowboy Cal. MSW, 3-20, Gulfstream
Runhappy, Happy to Please, m, 5, o/o Bartoletta, by Arch. MSW,
3-20, Will Rogers
Sharp Azteca, Az We Speak, f, 3, o/o Speak No Evil, by Hear No
Evil. MSW, 3-20, Mahoning Valley
Sir Prancealot (Ire), Stormylux, f, 3, o/o Tiz Goldilux, byTizdejavu. ATBA Three Year Old Sales S., 3-19, Turf Paradise
Strong Mandate, Olivia G, f, 4, o/o Adrianne G, by Indygo
Shiner. ALW, 3-20, Fair Grounds
Union Rags, Star Entertainer, h, 5, o/o Trendy Chic, by Giant's
Causeway. ALW, 3-20, Mahoning Valley
Violence, Outspoken, f, 3, o/o Melody Lady, by Unbridled'sSong. ALW, 3-20, Mahoning Valley

TDN CRITERIAThe races covered in the TDN are as follows:

Brody's Cause, Cowboy Brody, g, 4, o/o R Lady Hansen, byHansen. MSW, 3-20, Will Rogers
Calyx (GB), Imaboutago (Ire), f, 3, o/o Newtown Pippin (GB), by
Dubawi (Ire). AOC, 3-20, Fair Grounds• Stakes: purses of $40,000/up• Allowance Races: purses of $20,000/up• Optional Claiming Races: purses of $20,000/up• Maiden Special Weight Races: purses of $18,000/up• Maiden Claiming Races: purses of $18,000/up & a minimum
claiming price of $40,000

THURSDAY, 21 MARCH 2024

O'BRIEN HAS SARATOGA
AIM FOR GUINEAS
AND DERBY FAVOURITE
CITY OF TROY

Aidan O'Brien and City Of Troy at home at Ballydoyle on
Wednesday| Racingfotos.com

By Brian Sheerin
Aidan O'Brien is busy preparing for what could turn out to be
one of his boldest ever campaigns at Ballydoyle with plans inplace for City Of Troy (Justify) to tackle the 2,000 Guineas andthe Derby followed by an audacious tilt at the Travers S. on thedirt at Saratoga later this summer. Cont. p3

YULONG'S VIA SISTINA AND PLACE DU
CARROUSEL TO CLASH IN G1 RANVET
by Emma Berry
While Saturday ushers in the new turf season in Britain, there
are almost as many European horses nominated to run at
Rosehill in Sydney that same day.
In the G1 Ranvet S., six of the seven runners were bred ineither Britain, Ireland or France, and they include twoseven-figure purchases made by Yulong Investments lastDecember.
Group 1-winning mares Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}),
who was bought for 2.7 million gns at Tattersalls, and Place Du
Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a i4.025 million Arqana
purchase, are now trained respectively by Chris Waller andAnthony and Sam Freedman. They are set to go head to head in
the 2,000-metre contest which also features Buckaroo (GB)(Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a former dual Listed winner in Ireland,
French Listed winner Bois d'Argent (GB) (Toronado {Ire}),Military Mission (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), and Zeyrek (Fr)(Sea The Stars {Ire}). Nine of the last 12 runnings of the race
have been won by a horse bred in Europe.
Waller, who saddles both Via Sistina and Buckaroo for the A$1
million race, told Australia's Sky Racing World that he has been
following the example set by his British counterpart William
Haggas, who has twice won the Ranvet, with Addeybb (Ire) andDubai Honour (Ire). Cont. p8

IN TDN AMERICA TODAYCOMPUTER ASSISTED WAGERING: ANATOMY OF A DEAL
Dan Ross delves into a deal made between Del Mar and one of thebiggest Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) players in 2023.

PUBLISHER & CEO
Sue Morris Finley @suefinleysuefinley@thetdn.com
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Gary King @garykingTDN
garyking@thetdn.com
European & International Editor
Emma Berry @collingsberry
emmaberry@thetdn.com
Managing Editor
Heather Anderson @HLAndersonTDN

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Business Development Manager
Alayna Cullen Birkett @AlaynaCullen
alaynacullen@thetdn.com
European Sales Editor
Brian Sheerin @BrianSheerin91
Associate European Editor
Adam Houghton @hought94
Cafe Racing
Sean Cronin & Tom Frarycaferacing@thetdn.com
Contributing Editors
Alan Carasso
Christina Bossinakis
Regular Columnists
Chris McGrath | John Berry | Paul Hayward
ADVERTISING
advertising@thetdn.com
Director of Advertising
Alycia Borer
Advertising Manager
Lia Best

Team Ballydoyle in action on the front gallop on Wednesday morning.
| Racingfotos.com

Advertising Designers
Amanda Crelin
Amie Newcomb

NEW 'RISING STARS' AT TOULOUSE/SOUTHWELL

Advertising Assistant/Dir. of Distribution
Kristen Zaidi
Advertising Assistant
Liz Fronczek

60 Broad Street, Suite 105
Red Bank, NJ 07701
732-747-8060 | www.TheTDN.com/europe

5

Puchkine (Fr) is the newest 'TDN Rising Star' For Starspangledbanner(Aus), while Night Raider (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was crowned at Southwell.

ROGUE MILLENNIUM POISED FOR BOLD CAMPAIGN

7

Joseph O'Brien gave an update on several of his stable stars including
new recruit Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

STRONG EUROPEAN CHALLENGE FOR HKCD

9

A strong team of European raiders have signed on for the FWD Champions
Day at Sha Tin in Hong Kong.

TDN EUROPE • PAGE 3 OF 10 • THETDN.COM

Ballydoyle & City Of Troy Cont. from p1
Meanwhile, dual Derby and Breeders' Cup hero Auguste Rodin(Deep Impact {Jpn}), arguably the most important older horse tohave been kept in training at Ballydoyle for many years, is set toget his campaign underway in next week's Dubai Sheema
Classic.
Described by joint-owner Michael Tabor as "our Frankel" after
he slammed his Dewhurst rivals last term, City Of Troy heads the
Guineas and Derby betting at odds of 4-6 and 2-1 respectively.
With so much on the line for a horse who has commanded
such praise, O'Brien could be forgiven for feeling the pressure.
The truth couldn't be further from the case.
Speaking at a media morning at Ballydoyle on Wednesday,
O'Brien said, "I don't feel pressure at all. All we can do is ourbest and whatever will be will be. But he [City Of Troy] looks abit different at the moment anyway."
O'Brien added, "He has always been very special. He always
looked a bit different--even from the time we worked him towhen he ran in his maiden. All you can do is just keep turning
up and running and see what is going to happen, but he does
work very differently [to anything else].
"Horses are working in very bad ground at the moment--it'sdeep. He shouldn't like that at all but he is just powering
through it. We hope to get him to Naas on Sunday after racing.
They'll all work together--him, Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi{Ire}), River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), they'll all go
together over seven or seven-and-a-half furlongs. The plan is to
go straight to the Guineas with City Of Troy.
"If that went well, then he could go for the Derby, and if that

THURSDAY • 21 MARCH 2024

went well, there's a chance he could go to Saratoga for theTravers Stakes. That's very possible if things go well and it will beinteresting."
O'Brien is no stranger to running top-class horses on the dirt.
Johannesburg famously won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 2001
while Galileo (Ire), George Washington (Ire), Henrythenavigatorand Duke Of Marmalade (Ire) are some of the more establishednames to have tackled the Breeders' Cup Classic, albeit thelatter pair's efforts came on the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita
in 2008.
Mendelssohn came closest to delivering O'Brien and the
Coolmore team a breakthrough success in the Travers whensecond to Catholic Boy in the 2018 edition of the race. However,City Of Troy would rank as by far the most high-profile colt thatconnections have pointed towards the Travers, with O'Brien
putting his confidence behind last year's European Champion
Two-Year-Old's ability to handle the surface on breeding.
Speaking about the reasoning behind such ambitious
campaigning, he explained, "It's just to expose him, really.
Obviously he's by Justify, which makes Justify very exciting for us
because he should be able to do dirt as easily as he does grass.
That's what makes him unique, really.
"Every one of those Justifys are the same. They are
long-striding and big horses. They are scopey and very genuine.
They are all happy to go forward and you can't go hard enoughin their races. It's going to be very exciting."
O'Brien added, "He's done very well over the winter. He's amedium-sized horse to look at, but when you stand into him
he's much bigger than you think he is, which is the sign of a very
well-proportioned horse. It will be exciting.@ Cont. p4

TDN EUROPE • PAGE 4 OF 10 • THETDN.COM

Henry Longfellow | Racingfotos.com

Ballydoyle & City Of Troy Cont.
He added, "When John [Magnier] and the lads are thinking like
that, they are not afraid to push him out there and see what heis able to do. If it went well in the Guineas, we're happy to step
up to a mile and a half in the Derby and then you could comeback to a mile and a quarter on the dirt at Saratoga."
City Of Troy is likely to be O'Brien's sole runner in the Guineas
while targets for Henry Longfellow, Diego Velazquez (Ire)(Frankel {GB}), River Tiber and Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton
Bassett {GB}) will be decided after they work at Naas thisweekend.
O'Brien said, "I'd imagine if City Of Troy goes to the Guineas,
he'll go himself. River Tiber always worked very well. He wasn't
right in Deauville or in the Middle Park--he wasn't one hundred
per cent, so there's a good chance there's more to come fromhim. I think he's a miler--he's fast. I couldn't see him gettingmuch further.
"Unquestionable could go for the French Guineas. He's donevery well. He'll go to Naas on Sunday to work and he could go
for a trial in France before going back for the Guineas. He could
be a French Derby horse. He's not as quick as the others, so hecould get a bit further.
"When we went to America with them last year, River Tiber
was five lengths better than the winner. He's not rated that way,
but if you put the two of them together, that is what will
happen."O'Brien added, "Henry Longfellow could stretch out but helooks like a miler the way he's going, so how much further he'dget, I'm not sure. He could be a French Derby horse, as could
Diego Velazquez--he might be more that than a Guineas horse,
but he'll go with them [to Naas] as well, so it will be interesting."
Asked for an under-the-radar three-year-old colt to follow for

THURSDAY • 21 MARCH 2024

the campaign, O'Brien put forward Grosvenor Square (Ire)(Galileo {Ire}), winner of the G3 Eyrefield S. at Leopardstown lastterm and no bigger than 20-1 for the Derby.
"Grosvenor Square could be a very interesting horse," he said.
"I think he'd have no problem with better ground. He's not aheavy-framed horse, he's a good mover. He'll go for a Derby
trial."
City Of Troy is not the only horse that O'Brien is exploring theidea of running on dirt this season as Dubai-bound AugusteRodin could tackle the surface at some point this year. Moreimmediately, races like the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curraghand the Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot will come underconsideration for the four-year-old after Meydan.
O'Brien concluded, "Auguste Rodin has another bit of work to
do before he goes on Saturday, but everything looks good at the
moment. It's his first run of the year but we're very happy withhim.
"The plan was he goes there, then he could go to the Curraghfor the Tattersalls Gold Cup and then Ascot for the Prince ofWales's.
"After that, we could have a look at a dirt race with him. We'll
see how that goes. He could go to Saratoga as well. His season
will be split in two really, with a busy first half and then a break.
As a rule, Deep Impacts are mainly turf horses, but we were
surprised how well he worked on the dirt at the Breeders' Cup-he floated over it. He has an unusual action, so it will beinteresting to see."'I LIKE HER A LOT' - O'BRIEN SAYS YLANGYLANG AN ABLE 1,000 GUINEAS DEPUTY
By Brian Sheerin
Ryan Moore would have faced a straightforward decision toride Opera Singer (Justify) in the 1,000 Guineas had Ballydoylearrived at Newmarket with a full strength squad, according to
Aidan O'Brien, who hopes Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) can
prove an able deputy to the runaway Prix Marcel Boussac
winner on May 5 .
O'Brien revealed on Monday that Opera Singer was unlikely tomake the 1,000 Guineas after suffering a minor setback which
resulted in Ylang Ylang's odds tumbling from 8-1 into as short as
7-2 in places. Speaking at a Ballydoyle media morning on
Wednesday, he all but ruled the filly out of Newmarket.
While O'Brien described himself as a big fan of the G1 Fillies'
Mile heroine Ylang Ylang, he remains in little doubt over the
pecking order in the three-year-old fillies' brigade.
Asked if Moore would have faced a difficult decision if Opera
Singer and Ylang Ylang were to line out against each other at
Newmarket, O'Brien said, "I don't think so.@ Cont. p5

TDN EUROPE • PAGE 5 OF 10 • THETDN.COM

Ylang Ylang Cont.
O=Brien said, AIf Opera Singer was going to make the Guineas, I
don't think it would have been a difficult choice for Ryan. She[Opera Singer] is very good. What she did in the Boussac...she's
another Justify, set her off in front and follow her if you want.
"The other filly [Ylang Ylang] is very good but you have to takeyour time with her. That's what makes the Justifys so good, they
are so uncomplicated.@

Ylang Ylang: the new 1,000 Guineas favourite | Racingfotos.com

He added on Ylang Ylang, "I like her a lot. She did very well to
do what she did because everything went wrong with her thethird day--she was too keen. She had to come back to
Newmarket and relax but then to go back and do what she did in
the Fillies' Mile, you'd have to like her a lot.
"She could get a mile and a half as she's out of a Shamardal
mare, so there's every chance she could, and the way she likes
to be ridden will help her.
"Opera Singer is cantering but missed a few weeks, so I
imagine the Irish 1,000 Guineas would be the earliest we'll see
her. We'd just have to rush her too much otherwise. The year islong."
Group 3 winner Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is another filly that
O'Brien holds in high regard with a view towards some of thefillies' Classics.
He said, "Content was impressive last year, she had a lovely
run first time but then went to Ascot and lost her way, we had
to slow her down and get her to relax.
"She won at the Curragh and came home very well [in fourth]in the Breeders' Cup. She could be a very nice filly, you just haveto take your time with her, as she has plenty of speed."

THURSDAY • 21 MARCH 2024

PUCHKINE A NEW RISING STAR AT
TOULOUSE by Tom Frary
Spring is in the air at last and with it came the first of several
Jean-Claude Rouget Classic hopefuls at Toulouse on Wednesday
evening. Step forward the unbeaten Alain Jathiere homebred
Puchkine (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}--Vadyska {Ire}, by So
You Think {NZ}), whose Prix Torrestrella tour de force createdan exciting opening verse to the Pau-based maestro=s 2024
address.
AIt=s going to be a long season@, he quipped in his post-race
analysis on the Equidia channel, but if this impressive new TDN
Rising Star is anything to go by it will be another highly
profitable one.
Puchkine, whose juvenile campaign consisted of successful
forays to La Teste, this track and Pau, was re-entering the scene
in a five-runner affair over a mile and was keen anchored last of
the quintet by Jean-Bernard Eyquem early. Quickening out wide
to take control 300 metres from the line, the 2-5 favourite whoholds entries in the G1 Poule d=Essai des Poulains and G1 Prix du
Jockey Club drew away in impressive fashion to extend his tallyby 3 1/2 lengths from Denisjonh (Fr) (Born To Sea {Ire}).
Rouget was on hand to witness the display and told Equidia,
AHe was fresh, but also a little bit tense, so this is encouraging. It
wouldn=t have been a big deal if he had been beaten today,
because he was making his comeback. It=s going to be a long
season. The goal is to run the Poule d=Essai and before that, hewill run the [Apr. 21 Listed] Prix Aymeri de MaulJon, as we can=t
let him go two months without racing. He has a lot of speed andI don=t think he=ll stay 2100 metres.@ Cont. p6

Starspangledbanner now has five >TDN Rising Stars= to his credit
Coolmore

TDN EUROPE • PAGE 6 OF 10 • THETDN.COM

Puchkine Cont.
Puchkine, who becomes the fifth TDN Rising Star forStarspangledbanner alongside the G1 Cheveley Park S. runnerup Flotus (Ire), is out of an unraced half-sister to the Listed
Diana-Trial winner Romina Power (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). She is adaughter of Rockatella (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), who was alisted winner placed three times in pattern races including theG3 Prix de Lieurey. Descended from Meon Valley=s great
Reprocolor (GB) (Jimmy Reppin {GB}), whose latest flagbearer
was last year=s G3 Hoppings S. winner and G1 Nassau S. runnerup Zeyaadah (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), she is also responsible for thelisted-placed filly Slevka (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}). Her 2-year-old colt by
Fas (Ire) is named Zvokokiev (Fr).

4th-Toulouse, i30,000, Cond, 3-20, 3yo, 8fT, 1:37.60, sf.
PUCHKINE (FR), c, 3, by Starspangledbanner (Aus)
1st Dam: Vadyska (Ire), by So You Think (NZ)
2nd Dam: Rockatella (Ire), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)
3rd Dam: Patrimony (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, i53,500. Click for the free
Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by
FanDuel TV.
O/B-Alain Jathiere (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget.

DARK ANGEL=S NIGHT RAIDER SHOOTS TO
RISING STARDOM AT SOUTHWELL by Tom Frary
Steve Parkin=s Clipper Logistics have live Guineas contenders ofboth sexes in 2024 as the Karl Burke-trained Night Raider (Ire)(Dark Angel {Ire}--Dorraar {Ire}, by Shamardal) produced asensational display to obtain TDN Rising Star status at Southwell
on Wednesday evening. Off the mark in style by nine lengths
this track and seven-furlong trip on debut in December, the 1-4
favourite tanked his way to the front under Danny Tudhopefrom the outset. Chased entering the straight by his only serious
rival, last year=s G3 Acomb S. fifth Cogitate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}),the 155,000gns Tatts December Foal purchase simply extended
away to score by five lengths, registering a penultimate split of:10.98 and a final three-furlong sectional of :34.12 in theprocess.
Burke, who is preparing the owner=s G1 Moyglare Stud S.
winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) for the May 5 G11000 Guineas, is planning on sending Night Raider for theprevious day=s Newmarket Classic.

THURSDAY • 21 MARCH 2024

AHe=s a horse of huge potential, we know that and he=s not
fully wound up by any stretch of the imagination,@ he said of thehalf-brother to Farhh=s G3 Palace House S.-winning first-season
sire Far Above (Ire).
AHis weight was identical to first time out and all of ours
improve for their first time. Nadir, who leads him up, said he hastaken more of a blow tonight than he did the first time. He was asecond-and-a-half faster this time and I don=t know if that is
down to ability or the track riding faster. The Guineas isn=t thebe all and end all for him and he=s a horse with a big future.@
AHe may have been on grass at the beginning of his
two-year-old career, but he certainly wouldn=t have been on
grass in the last 10 months or so. The idea was to go to the
Guineas with a racecourse gallop at the Craven meeting--I don=t
want to go a mile or go for the Craven itself and if we went forthe seven-furlong race at Newbury [the Greenham], that only
gives us two weeks before the Guineas--or there is aseven-furlong conditions race for horses that haven=t run morethan twice. I have to speak to connections, but if we do go
anywhere, I would be pointing that way.@
ADanny [Tudhope] just said there he could do with anotherrun. He=s still green in front and was lugging away up thestraight. Another run is probably the right way to go. Laurens
was pretty good in her first two runs, but he=s a lovely horsewith a great temperament and there=s a lot of scope there, so
we=ve just got to look after him, do the right thing by him andhopefully he reaches his full potential.@
Night Raider, who was one of colleague Adam Houghton=s Ten
Three-Year-Olds To Follow, is the sixth TDN Rising Star for Dark
Angel. The grey=s best so far is G1 Phoenix S. runner-up Dr
Zempf (GB). The winner is out of a granddaughter of the G2
Ribblesdale S. scorer and G1 Oaks, G1 Irish Oaks and GI Flower
Bowl Invitational-placed Bahr (GB) (Generous {Ire}). Cont. p7

Dark Angel | Yeomanstown Stud

TDN EUROPE • PAGE 7 OF 10 • THETDN.COM

Night Raider Cont.
That links him to the Group 1-winning mother and son Nahrain(GB) (Selkirk) and Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), with the latteralso registering a wide-margin debut success before being
thrown straight into the deep end. Also in the pedigree is theaforementioned talented sprinter Far Above, whose career was
cut short by injury, and the precocious and tough Go Bears Go(Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) who captured the G2 Railway S. and G3
Pavilion S. and was also placed in the G1 Phoenix S. and GII
Breeders= Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Dorraar=s 2-year-old fullbrother to the winner is catalogued in next month=s Tattersalls
Craven Breeze Up.

THURSDAY • 21 MARCH 2024

ground and she shows plenty of pace,@ said O=Brien. AWe won=t
be shy about travelling her and have a long list of potential
options for her in America where we think the style of racing will
suit her. She=s a very exciting prospect to have in the yard.@
O=Brien also had updates on several other stable stars, among
them G2 Blandford S. winner Lumiere Rock (Ire) (Saxon Warrior{Jpn}). A good third to Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the
G1 Prix de l=Opera last October, she was not disgraced in thecolours of Michael O=Flynn when sixth to Inspiral (GB) (Frankel{GB}) in the GI Breeders= Cup Filly & Mare Turf a month later in
California. The G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in May is first on her
assignment sheet this term.
AShe had a busy campaign last season, but never let us down
and kept improving,@ said O=Brien. AWe all got a real thrill fromher win in the Blandford S., and it was great that her owner
Michael O=Flynn was there on the day to enjoy it with us.
AWe are looking at the Tattersalls Gold Cup as an early-season
target and will drive on from there.@

1st-Southwell, ,11,400, Novice, 3-20, 3yo/up, 7f 14y (AWT),
1:26.77, st.
NIGHT RAIDER (IRE), c, 3, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Dorraar (Ire), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Dorrati, by Dubai Millennium (GB)
3rd Dam: Bahr (GB), by Generous (Ire)
Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $12,306. O-Clipper; B-Linden
Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Karl Burke. *155,000gns Wlg >21
TADEWE. **1/2 to Far Above (Ire) (Farhh {GB}), GSW-Eng,
SW-Fr. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-stylepedigree.

Rogue Millennium | Scoop Dyga

ROGUE MILLENNIUM AEXCITING PROSPECT@FOR JOSEPH O=BRIEN
Group 2 winner Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), awinner of the Duke of Cambridge S. and second in the G1Matron S. last term for Tom Clover, is an Aexciting prospect@ for2024, according to new trainer Joseph O=Brien.
Formerly owned by the Rogues Gallery, who picked her up for
35,000gns at the Tattersalls Mare December Sale as an unraced
2-year-old in 2021, the 5-year-old bay mare was knocked downfor 1.65 million gns at that same sale last December, with
Lanigan/Durcan agent on the ticket on behalf of Heider Family
Stables. Now trained by O=Brien, she was fifth in the G1 Queen
Elizabeth II S. on QIPCO Champions Day last out in October.
AShe gives the impression that she=ll always appreciate betterGroup 1-winning juvenile Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}),a winner of the 2022 G1 National S., enjoyed a brief campaign atthree in 2023. Second in the G3 International S. at the beginningof July, he filled that spot again in the wake of undefeated G1
Prix de l=Arc de Triomphe hero Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman{GB}) in the G2 Prix Guillaume d=Ornano in August. The 4-yearold entire is also pleasing O=Brien, and has been handed Frenchtargets, including the G1 Prix Ganay in April.
O=Brien said, AWe are delighted with him. He was always a tall,
rangy horse and has filled out into a magnificent athlete now.
AWe were very sweet on him for the Irish Champion S., but alittle issue the day before meant we couldn=t run. Everything hasgone very smoothly with him this preparation and we are
steadily stepping up his work.@ Cont. p8

TDN EUROPE • PAGE 8 OF 10 • THETDN.COM

Joseph O=Brien=s String Cont.
He added, AWe are working him towards the Prix Ganay at
ParisLongchamp in late April. Longer term, I could see him
stepping up to a mile and a half.
AHe won a Group 1 over seven furlongs as a 2-year-old and has
never looked short of pace, but he has the most lovely, relaxed
way of going and it will give him a great chance to carry his paceover further if we ask him to. I=d be very hopeful he can win
another Group 1.@

Wednesday=s Results:
FIRST WINNER FOR SIRE
1st-Marseille-Borely, i23,000, Debutantes, 3-20, 2yo,
5fT,:58.95, sf.
EAGLE GATE (FR) (c, 2, Hey Gaman {GB}--Ekatea {Fr}, by Power{GB}), sent off at 17-2, raced keenly in fourth early. Finding
plenty for the stretch run, the bay mastered Pastisse (Fr)(Stunning Spirit {GB}) 75 metres out en route to a length
success. In doing so, he was providing his Haras du Taillis-based
first-season sire (by New Approach {Ire}) with his first winner as
his first runner. The winner is currently the last known foal outof the dam, a relative of the G3 Prix Greffulhe scorer Greenland(Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) and the Listed Prix de Liancourt
winner and GII Santa Ana S. third Sweet Charity (Fr)(Myboycharlie {Ire}). Sales history: i8,000 Ylg >23 OSASEP.
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, i11,500. Video, sponsored by
FanDuel TV.
O-Ecuries Puglia; B-EARL Haras du Taillis (FR); T-Christophe
Escuder.
5th-Marseille-Borely, i21,000, Mdn, 3-20, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:09.87,
sf.
ZANIAH (ITY) (f, 3, Lawman {Fr}--Zardaka {Ire} {SP-Ire}, by
Zamindar), a 5-1 shot on this debut, was anchored in fourthearly. Coaxed forward with hands and heels to take command
100 metres from the finish, the imposing bay readily asserted toscore comfortably by half a length from Shastana (Ire) (Bated
Breath {GB}). The listed-placed dam, a i120,000 Aga Khan castoff at the 2014 Arqana December Sale, is a half-sister to the
Listed Galtres S. winner and G2 Park Hill S. and G2 Lancashire
Oaks-placed Set To Music (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The family
includes the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine
Zainta (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, i11,500.

THURSDAY • 21 MARCH 2024

Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-San Paolo Agri-Stud SRL (ITY); T-Jerome Reynier.
CONDITIONS RESULTS:
4th-Marseille-Borely, i30,000, 3-20, 3yo, 10fT, 2:07.47, sf.
LOVERS DAY (FR) (c, 3, Recorder {GB}--Rethra {Ire}, by ElusiveCity) Lifetime Record: 11-3-3-2, i64,650. O-Abdelhafidh Dridi,
Ecuries Jacques Piasco, Christophe Escuder, Ecuries Puglia &Steeve Puglia; B-S Urizzi, Mme S Brel, Mme H Urizzi & Ecurie
Haras de Saint Vincent (FR); T-Christophe Escuder. *i18,000 Ylg>22 OSASEP.
6th-Marseille-Borely, i22,000, 3-20, 4yo/up, 8 1/2fT, 1:45.84,
sf.
PIENSA EN MI (FR) (f, 4, Intello {Ger}--Queen Bubble {Ire} {SPFr, $117,434}, by Layman) Lifetime Record: 8-3-2-0, i46,800.
O/B-Jean-Claude Seroul (FR); T-Jerome Reynier. *1/2 to King
Bubble (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}), MSW-Fr, $170,648.
ADDITIONAL MAIDEN WINNERS:Treize (Fr), c, 3, City Light (Fr)--Helen Fourment (GB), by Dutch
Art (GB). Marseille-Borely, 3-20, 10fT, 2:07.31. B-SARL
Jedburgh Stud & C Humphris (FR). *i6,000 Ylg >22 ARQOCT.
**1/2 to Mon Ami L=Ecossais (Fr) (Orpen), MSP-Fr, $270,300.
Quasar (Fr), g, 3, Showcasing (GB)--Qatar Power Fr) (SW-Fr), by
Le Havre (Ire). Toulouse, 3-20, 8fT, 1:39.30. B-Ecurie desMonceaux, Lordship Stud, Ecurie Skymarc Farm & Qatar
Bloodstock Limited (FR). *i38,000 RNA Ylg >22 ARQAUG.
Col Du Pre= (Fr), g, 3, Taj Mahal (Ire)--Claire Song (Ire) (MSP-Ity,$100,843), by Singspiel (Ire). Toulouse, 3-20, 12fT, 2:35.10. BScuderia Lazzeri Marcello (FR). *i42,000 Ylg >22 ARQSEP.

European Group 1 Winners Clash In Ranvet Cont. from p1
He said of Via Sistina, the winner of the G1 Pretty Polly S. andrunner-up to King Of Steel in the G1 Champion S. for George
Boughey last year, "We prepared her in Newmarket, I kept aclose eye on what Mr Haggas has done with a few of his horses
which have beaten Verry Elleegant a number of times. He justgets it right every year. Firstly he brings the right horse.
Secondly he prepares them well and thirdly they cope with thetrip. So she looks like she's that type of horse."
Waller added, "She's thrived the last two weeks. She's justgoing on the right path forward and I've been impressed withher." Cont. p9

TDN EUROPE • PAGE 9 OF 10 • THETDN.COM

THURSDAY • 21 MARCH 2024

way it is. We'll look forward to it."Post Impressionist is up against last year's Listed Feilden S.
winner Canberra Legend (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who is another tohave joined the Waller stable.
Another expensive Yulong acquisition to now be under thecare of Sydney's champion trainer is Gan Teorainn (Ire) (Saxon
Warrior {Jpn}), who is an interesting entrant for the G3 Epona S.
Bought from Boherguy Stud for 1 million gns in 2022 after
finishing runner-up to Blue Rose Cen (Ire) in the G1 Prix Marcel
Boussac, she subsequently finished third in the G3 Lexus Archer
S. at Flemington last November.

Via Sistina in the process of selling for 2.7 million gns to Yulong
Investments | Tattersalls

STRONG EUROPEAN CHALLENGE FOR HONG
KONG'S CHAMPIONS DAY

European Group 1 Winners Clash In Ranvet Cont.
Some familiar names also make the cut for Saturday's
19-strong G1 George Ryder S.
The 2022 Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up New Energy (Ire)(New Bay {GB}), whose move from Sheila Lavery to Ciaron
Maher last year was not without controversy, makes his second
start for Maher after finishing second in the G3 Liverpool City
Cup at Randwick on his Australian debut.
He is set to face the former John and Thady Gosden trainee
Mighty Ulysses (GB), the winner of last season's G3 Sovereign S.
at Salisbury who is now trained by Annabel Neasham. The Irish
Listed winner Cosmic Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), whochanged hands for 100,000gns at Tattersalls last October, is also
in the line-up along with Cepheus (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) andUnspoken (Ire) (Territories {Ire}).
The G3 N E Manion Cup, run over 2,400 metres, is anotherrace in which the European imports have dominated over thelast decade. Haggas won the race with Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello{Ger}) in 2020 and this year fields Post Impressionist (Ire)(Teofilo {Ire}), who is now owned by Lloyd Williams.
"He's a nice horse and I think he's done enough to run to his
best," said Haggas on Wednesday. "Bit of a wide draw but he's agood stayer. He just hits a bit of a flat spot but maybe first timeout he'll be fresh enough not to do that. It's quite a competitive
race but if he has any aspirations to win a better class of racethen he needs to be running well on Saturday.
"The Manion Cup followed by the Sydney Cup has always been
the plan. Let's just hope he's good enough. He'd have 50kg in
the Sydney Cup so Tom [Marquand] wouldn't be able to ride him
but let's just worry about one race first, and that's Saturday. It'sa pretty inconvenient time for a Newmarket trainer because I
think the race is off at ten to two in the morning but that's theGroup 1 winners Regional (GB) (Territories {Ire}) and Dubai
Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) head 12 European entries
for the FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on April 28. A strong
international challenge also includes 25 potential runners fromJapan, eight from Australia and three from the UAE, while there
are 41 locally-trained entries.
Regional, now six, gave his trainer Ed Bethell a first Group 1
success in last year's Haydock Sprint Cup and he has beenentered for the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, with prize-money
totalling approximately ,2.2 million. His fellow British-trained
horses Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), Believing (Ire) (Mehmas{Ire}) and Frost At Dawn (Frosted) are also entered.
The William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour, a dual Group 1
winner in Australia, would be returning for a third run in HongKong. He was fourth in the 2021 G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup
and third last year in the G1 FWD QEII Cup, which this timearound is worth approximately ,2.8 million. Haggas has also
entered Maljoom (Ire) (Caravaggio) for the G1 FWD Champions
Mile, which could also feature Middleham Park Racing's
globetrotting Brave Emperor (Ire) (Sioux Nation), trained byArchie Watson, and Fort Payne (Fr) (Rio De La Plata) for Frenchtrainer Nicolas Caullery.
Three of the winners of last December's Hong Kong
International Races B Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro),
Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and Lucky
Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) B hold entries for the
meeting, along with Japan's Fillies' Triple Crown winner Liberty
Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and Godolphin's Measured Time
(GB) (Frankel {GB}), winner of the G1 Jebel Hatta in January.
"We are excited by the spread and quality of international
entries among the nominations for FWD Champions Day," said
Andrew Harding, executive director of racing for the Hong Kong
Jockey Cub.@ Cont. p10

TDN EUROPE • PAGE 10 OF 10 • THETDN.COM

THURSDAY • 21 MARCH 2024

The majority of his rides in the UK were for his former bossand countryman Marco Botti, who said on social media, "Thewhole yard is saddened by the news this morning. Stefano hassustained serious injuries in a race fall in Australia. Thoughts andprayers and with [Stefano] and his family."

Wednesday=s Results:

Regional bids for further Group 1 glory for Ed Bethell | Focus on Racing

Hong Kong Champions Day Entries Cont.
He added, "The potential return of Golden Sixty in the FWD
Champions Mile after his stunning Longines Hong Kong Mileperformance in December, along with Romantic Warrior in the
FWD QEII Cup and Lucky Sweynesse in the Chairman's Sprint
Prize, lays the foundation for another wonderful staging of ourspring flagship meeting.
"We are delighted at the support we have received fromoverseas owners and trainers in Japan, England, France, Ireland,
Australia and the United Arab Emirates, with the number of
entries across our three Group 1 features rising from 71 lastseason to 89 this year."

STEFANO CHERCHI INJURED IN AUSTRALIAN
RACE FALL
Former Newmarket-based jockey Stefano Cherchi has been
hospitalised in Australia following a mid-race fall at Canberra on
Wednesday.
Racing was delayed while the 23-year-old was treated on the
track for a head injury and internal bleeding before being taken
to hospital. His mount, Hasime (Aus), trained by Robert Quinn,
fell during the third race, bringing down two other runners
whose riders, Shaun Guymer and Jeff Penza, both walked backto the weighing-room. None of the horses are believed to havebeen seriously injured.
In a post on Twitter, the NSW Jockeys Association said,"Stefano has been transported to Canberra Hospital, where
doctors will assess the full extent of the injuries."
Born in Italy, Cherchi moved to England as a teenager and had
his first ride there aboard Casina Di Notte (Ire) in August 2018.
He partnered 106 winners in the intervening seasons before
relocating to Australia at the beginning of this year.

FIRST STAKES WINNER FOR SIRE
KEIHIN HAI-Listed (Jpn-G2), -51,000,000, Oi, 3-20, 3yo, 1700m,
1:48.70, gd.
1--SAINT HONORE (JPN), 126, c, 3, Epicharis (Jpn)
1st Dam: Lingus Uno (Jpn), by South Vigorous
2nd Dam: Lingus Laurel (Jpn), by Sakura Laurel (Jpn)
3rd Dam: Lingus Madonna (Jpn), by Tosho Boy (Jpn)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-La Mere Inc.; B-Matsuura Farm (Jpn);
T-Katsunori Arayama; J-Takafumi Hattori; -30,000,000.
Lifetime Record: 8-4-0-3, -61,950,000.
2--Ammothyella (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Bricks And Mortar--Sand Queen(Jpn), by Gold Allure (Jpn). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Hiroo Race;
B-Kuwata Bokujo (Jpn); -10,500,000.
3--Habire (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Henny Hughes--Tomo Tomo River(Jpn), by Black Tide (Jpn). O-Shinichi Koga; B-Akiba Farm (Jpn);-6,000,000.
Margins: 7, 3/4, 2. Odds: 5.70, 2.00, 0.90.
Also Ran: Secret Key (Jpn), Tintoretto (Jpn), Masherbrum (Jpn),
Fujimasa Teio (Jpn), Passion Cry (Jpn), Black Butler (Jpn).
Click for the NAR chart & video.

Preview: Road To The Golden Slipper
Unpacking James McDonald’s Path To Greatness
New Winner For Justify
Who Wants To Host The Cox Plate?
Melbourne Cup Winner Gold Trip Injures Tendon