THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016

FIRST LADY OF LA. RACING HITS DERBY TRAIL AMONG SIX by Michael Adolphson "They call it the Sport of Kings," Evelyn Benoit said politely. IN FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH "Even though I am a woman, I know the kings are paying attention." To call the native of Houma, Louisiana, the 'First Lady' of Louisiana racing--as many lovingly do-- seems a tad inadequate. The principal of the powerful breeding and owning operation Brittlyn Stable sits subserviently at no head of state's side in the marsh of bayou horseracing. She is profoundly the potentate of Pelican State racing and the doyenne to breeding in the Deep South. In her fourth decade in the industry, Benoit emanates the enthusiasm of a first-time bettor cashing a $2 win ticket. When seen at Fair Grounds on the weekends, she is a vibrant personality determined to improve the industry on multiple levels. Cont. p3

Mohaymen | Lauren King Shadwell’s unbeaten Mohaymen () breaks from the CHROME LOOKS TO SHINE IN THE DESERT outside post six in Saturday’s GII Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S. (Lucky ) and Marking (Bernardini) at . The grey was last seen taking the GII Holy are two of the headline acts of Thursday’s Meydan card. Bull S. by an easy 3 1/2 lengths Jan. 30, but faces a formidable Click or tap here to go straight to TDN Europe. group of foes here. Trainer Todd Pletcher saddles two-for-two Zulu (Bernardini) on behalf of the Coolmore contingent and Stonestreet Stables. The $900,000 Fasig-Tipton Florida graduate earned the ‘TDN Rising Star’ distinction for a 7 1/4-length optional claiming romp going seven panels in the local slop Jan. 15. Awesome Banner (Awesome of Course) stretches out after commanding victories in the Jan. 2 GIII Hutcheson S. and Jan. 30 GII Swale S. He’ll be joined by fellow Jacks or Better homebred and Stan Gold trainee Fellowship (Awesome of Course), who was third in the . Awesome Speed (), last seen running away with the one-mile Mucho Macho Man S. Jan. 2, has been working very quickly in the interim. “It’s a tough race but I wouldn’t trade places with anybody,” the favorite’s trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “It’s going to be his toughest race to date. Zulu is undefeated. Awesome Banner is undefeated. Awesome Speed is a nice horse. It’s going to be tough and we just hope we keep going and stay the same. We don’t have to improve, but it’s more experience and hopefully we get lucky to win.” ‘Rising Star’ Cherry Wine (Paddy O’Prado) will skip the race after spiking a fever.

This smart-looking January miss is from the first crop of WinStar's Fed Biz (Giant’s PRESIDENT & CO-PUBLISHER Barry Weisbord @barryweisbord Causeway), and the first out of the [email protected] Empire Maker filly Gunner the Runner. Bred SR. V.P. & CO-PUBLISHER by Becky Thomas and Justin Casse, she is Sue Finley @suefinley boarded at Burleson Farm in Midway, [email protected] . V.P., INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS Gary King @garykingTDN [email protected] EDITORIAL [email protected] Editor-in-Chief: Jessica Martini @JessMartiniTDN Managing Editor: Alan Carasso @EquinealTDN Senior Editor: Steve Sherack @Steve SherackTDN Racing Editor: Brian DiDonato @BDiDonatoTDN Associate Editor: Christie DeBernardis @CDeBernardisTDN Assistant Editors: UNFINISHED BUSINESS FOR 5 Heather Anderson @HLAndersonTDN When Untapable (Tapit) missed last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Ben Massam @BMassamTDN it proved something of a blessing in disguise, as the ADVERTISING winner has been kept in training for 2016. Ben Massam chats with [email protected] Director of Advertising: Alycia Borer Ron Winchell. Advertising Manager: Lia Kusch Sr. Ad Coordinator/Dir. of Distribution: Sarah K. Andrew @SarahKAndrew DERBY TOP 12, BROUGHT TO YOU BY WINSTAR 7 Advertising Designer: Amanda Crelin Advertising Assistant: Amanda Foster Speaking of Winchell , (Candy Ride {Arg}) Social Media Strategist: Nichola Henry has leapt all the way into fifth position on the TDN’s Top 12 Derby MARKETING STRATEGIST Horses. Brittlan Wall @BrittlanWall [email protected] CUSTOMER SERVICE ESPINOZA TO RECEIVE AWARD 13 [email protected] Triple Crown-winning Victor Espinoza will receive the 2016 George Director of Customer Service: Vicki Forbes Woolf Award as selected by his fellow riders. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Director of IT: Ray Villa [email protected] WORLDWIDE INFORMATION International Editor: Kelsey Riley EST Race TV [email protected] 11:45a Zabeel Mile-G2, MEY TVG European Editor: Emma Berry [email protected] Newmarket Bureau, Cafe Racing: Sean Cronin & Tom Frary [email protected] 60 Broad Street, Suite 100 Red Bank, NJ 07701 732-747-8060 | 732-747-8955 (fax)

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Evelyn Benoit cont. Whether chatting with a railbird or an owner of a local professional sports team, it is evident that she passionately supports horseracing because doing so is nothing short of dyed-in-the-wool of who she is. "Racing really has been my life since I was in my 20s," Benoit explained. "I started with two in my backyard and after 40 years you don't count the days or the horses, you just take it one day at a time, a step at a time and build on what you have. I breed and raise horses and that prepares you for anything. You have to be able to handle the ups and downs and be seasoned. Sometimes, though, you do have to step back and say 'look at what I have--is this real life?' because, outside of my family, racing has given me the most Evelyn Benoit | Hodges Photography pleasure in my life and I'm so happy to do well." Most of the aforementioned kings took notice this past Saturday when Benoit's Forevamo (Uncle Mo) charged down the New Orleans oval's famously long stretch and nearly caught Gun Runner in the final strides of the GII Risen Star S. at odds of 40-1. The runner-up effort earned him 20 qualification points and showed marked improvement from his runner-up allowance effort a month prior. "My husband and I were discussing about buying a new because we have a lot of mares from Star Guitar's family that can't breed to him," Benoit recollected. "We decided we should try to make our own, so I called (trainer) Al (Stall, Jr.) and said we wanted Forevamo (pink helmet) just misses to a 2-year-old , so Gun Runner in the Risen Star he hooked us up Hodges Photography with (bloodstock agent) David Ingordo at the Florida sale. We went over a list that we made shorter before zooming in on a few. Then we saw the Uncle Mo and because I really liked Uncle Mo and my husband Maurice's nickname is 'Mo' I decided I wanted that one and was determined to get him. We named him Forevamo because Maurice would sign his letters to me 'Love Forever, Mo'." Cont. p4 HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 4 OF 13 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY • FEB. 25, 2016

Benoit cont. "A few minutes before post time we were 54-1, so I wasn't that nervous because of our odds, but Al kept telling me he was Fashionably bred, Forevamo is conditioned by Stall and earned improving every day and his works were telling him he wanted his lone victory when annexing last season's $200,000 Jean to do more," Benoit continued. "Coming down the stretch, my Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs family was screaming and it was just such a thrill. It was almost as a maiden. A Florida-bred as good as winning the race and I've never been so happy to be half-brother to 2011's Eclipse second. Al said he came back perfect and I'm excited to champion female sprinter and hopefully run in the (GII) (Mar. 26). The horse Breeders' Cup winner Musical has to take us there and Al and I won't put him in anything we Romance (Concorde's Tune), don't feel like he's ready for. That being said, nothing seems to the lightly raced bay colt cost bother him. He is a very laid-back and kind horse." $320,000 at OBS April 2015 Benoit, who renovates classic homes and historical landmarks and is one of a series of throughout the New Orleans area as a hobby, seems to take as upgrades to the Brittlyn roster- much pride in refurbishing things she loves as developing them. One of her current projects is advancing the career of her -along with the private 24-for-30 four-time Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year and purchases of graded leading state-bred Star Guitar. stakes-winning sprinter Clearly "I cannot tell you how gorgeous Star Guitar's babies are," she Now (Horse Greeley) and beamed. "He was a very sound horse and they're beautifully allowance winner Tough Benoit and Star Guitar | Rick built like him. He was tough, sweet and talented horse and I Customer (Giant's Causeway)-- Samuels/Hodges Photography know he will make a great stallion. He has bred about 60-70 per that is already flush with season and the thing about him is he could do it all - in the quality broodmares and popular young stallion Star Guitar deepest mud, the hottest heat, down the longest stretch and in (Quiet American), who stands for $4,000 at Clear Creek Stud the bullring. Forevamo actually really reminds me of him so and whose first crop races in 2016. much." Cont. p5 Fastest winner of Saratoga’s Vanderbilt H. (G1) in a dozen years since Speightstown.

1:08.56 Faster than Majesticperfection, War Front, etc.

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Benoit cont. UNFINISHED BUSINESS FOR CHAMPION

Like the governors' mansions she revamps, Benoit yearns to UNTAPABLE by Ben Massam see racing return to its former glory. After having Star Guitar Owner Ron Winchell won’t hesitate to tell you that Untapable race for six seasons and now having stable star and 12-time (Tapit)’s championship sophomore season of 2014 was a hard stakes winner Sunbean (Brahms) return to the races Feb. 27 in act to follow, but after a 2015 campaign that lacked closure, the his 6-year-old bow after a year layoff, she is keenly aware of the 43-year-old entrepreneur said his has a bit of “unfinished impact a fan favorite has on racing on both macro- and micro- business” to settle in the new year. The bay logged her fifth levels. Forevamo gaining moderate national attention this week workout of 2016 Wednesday morning at the Fair Grounds, in his sixth start and second sophomore effort put that keenly breezing five furlongs in 1:00.60 [4/18]--a move that drew high into perspective. praise from trainer Steve Asmussen. "I don't have anything else to prove and I have never said I “She worked [Wednesday] morning, and Steve texted me one wanted to win the Kentucky Derby or the Triple Crown," she word, which was, ‘beautifully,’” Winchell said. “So I think that explained. "Everyone wants to win those, and of course it's in pretty much describes where we are at this point. We’re hoping my mind, but I'd rather have the 24 wins with Star Guitar and to make [Oaklawn’s Mar. 19 GII] Azeri [S.] as her first start back. racing until he was seven with all those fans asking when's his After that, we’ll follow up with the [Apr. 15 GI] Apple Blossom. next race. It's a different kind of gratification. If (New Orleans That’s the immediate goal, and then after seeing how it goes Saints quarterback) Drew Brees played only one season and from there, we’ll figure out the next goal after that.” then left, it wouldn't build that fan base. The reason I put the Untapable parlayed a money I make in racing back into racing is because live racing is narrowly beaten runner-up the heart of it. If you want to keep the business going, you have finish in last year’s Azeri to the to have those John Henrys and Star Guitars that pull people in. fifth Grade I success of her They have to have something to love." career in the Apple Blossom, Just as she did when taking the reins of her family's business, but was unable to find the Benoit Machine--a leading provider of supplies to the gas and oil winner’s circle in four subsequent tries. Although the industries--in 2007 after a tragic accident left her husband Untapable | Equi-Photo paralyzed and under 24-hour nursing care, Benoit is fearless in homebred demonstrated her ride toward excellence in the racing industry. In that same remarkable consistency in those efforts, Winchell said his gait, she garners an acute focus on what matters most to her, champion was behind the eight ball from the beginning after no matter how many kings are taking heed now that she has a missing valuable training time during the winter months. The Derby prospect. season ended with Untapable being forced to scratch from a "I'm ready for whatever pressure comes," Benoit concluded. title defense in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff when she "All I ever wanted to do was have a great time with my family developed a fever earlier in the week. and friends and I will never retire from racing because my heart “The big difference between this year and last year is that last is with Louisiana and I know we're making a difference." year she missed about 12 days of training due to weather,” Winchell explained. “We were always a little bit behind after missing that training early, and never got her to where we wanted her to be. We felt like we were coming into the Follow the TDN staff on Twitter Breeders’ Cup where we wanted to be, and then fate dealt us a Thoroughbred Daily News bad turn there, so we couldn’t run.” In the aftermath of the scratch, a decision was made to bring @kelseynriley @BDiDonatoTDN @SteveSherackTDN Untapable back to eye similar goals in the 2016 season. @BrittlanWall @JessMartiniTDN @CDeBernardisTDN According to Winchell, the mare’s training has already been markedly better than last year’s comparable body of work. @EquinealTDN @HLAndersonTDN @BMassamTDN “I think there’s a little bit of unfinished business that helped @MKane49 @barryweisbord @suefinley persuade us to bring her back this year,” Winchell acknowledged. “This year we haven’t had any of those issues. I @garykingTDN @SarahKAndrew @thorntontd think she probably has a really good base in her when you do a comparison between this year and last year.” Cont. p6 HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 6 OF 13 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY • FEB. 25, 2016

Untapable cont. FEATURE PRESENTATION • GII FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH S.

Winchell, who operates Winchell Thoroughbreds in partnership with his mother Joan, added that he firmly believes Untapable can return to deliver top performances at the highest level. As such, the decision to return Untapable to the races outweighed the uncertain option of retiring her to breeding shed. “The other thing that’s always in your mind when you have a horse of her caliber is if you retire them and breed them, all Saturday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 5:30 p.m. EST you’re trying to do is replace what she’s doing now,” the XPRESSBET.COM FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH S.-GII, $400,000, 3yo, 1 1/16m owner/breeder said. PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT “And part of you goes, 1 Fellowship Awesome of Course Lezcano Gold 116 K ‘Well if we’re doing it 2 Zulu Bernardini Velazquez Pletcher 116 3 Golden Ray K American Lion Vasquez Rodriguez 116 now, why don’t we just 4 Awesome Speed K Awesome Again Ortiz, Jr. Goldberg 120 keep doing it?’” 5 Awesome Banner Awesome of Course Caraballo Gold 120 While the return of 6 Mohaymen K Tapit Alvarado McLaughlin 120 Untapable is Owners: 1-Jacks or Better Farm, Inc., 2-Stonestreet Stables LLC, Michael B. understandably of great Tabor, Susan Magnier & Derrick Smith, 3-Golden Legacy Stable LLC, 4-Colts significance to Winchell, Neck Stables, LLC, 5-Jacks or Better Farm, Inc., 6-Shadwell Stable. he also has a number of Breeders: 1-Jacks or Better Farm Inc., 2-Ron Magers & Robert Marcocchio, promising younger 3-Crowning Point Farm, 4-Allen Poindexter & , 5-Jacks or Ron Winchell (center) horses in the pipeline-- Better Farm Inc., 6-Clearsky Farms. Lou Hodges Photo most notably Gun Runner (Candy Ride Saturday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 1:56 p.m. EST {Arg}), who vaulted to the top of the GI Kentucky Derby FASIG-TIPTON DAVONA DALE S.-GII, $200,000, 3yo, f, 1m PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT qualifying points leaderboard with a score in Saturday’s GII 1 Thrilled Uncle Mo Velazquez Pletcher 116 Risen Star S. Winchell said he is relieved that Gun Runner 2 Dearest K Midshipman Zayas Zerpa 116 earned his first graded stakes win to establish his value within 3 Bagema Notional Cruz Yanakov 116 the 3-year-old crop, allowing Asmussen to target larger goals, 4 Lewis Bay K Bernardini Ortiz, Jr. Brown 122 such as developing the colt into a Classic contender. 5 Cathryn Sophia Street Boss Castellano Servis 122 “He’s always been an extremely well-thought-of and talented 6 R Girls a Charmer In Summation Saez Casse 120 horse, and it always comes down to actually going out there and 7 Rontos Lily K Big Drama Jaramillo Sanchez 116 realizing that,” Winchell observed. “It’s nice when he won that Owners: 1-Michael B. Tabor, 2-Gelfenstein Farm, LLC, 3-Olympia Star, race because the feedback we were getting and what we Inc., 4-Alpha Delta Stable LLC, 5-Cash is King, LLC, 6-Gary Barber, thought about him was validated. It’s a good position to be in at 7-Rontos Racing Stable Corp. Breeders: 1-Chelston, 2-Daniel J. Burke & the moment.” Kathleen Schweizer, 3-Mikhail Yanakov, 4-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC, Winchell said he also looks forward to seeing Adore (Big 5-Robert T. Manfuso, 6-Ocala Stud, 7-M375 Thoroughbreds Inc. Brown) compete in the Mar. 26 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. The Saturday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 2:25 p.m. EST chestnut, who sold for just $15,000 as a September HERECOMESTHEBRIDE S.-GIII, $150,000, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT yearling, has quickly earned a reputation as an overachiever PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT after earning her second victory from three starts in a Feb. 21 1 Pulled the Goalie K Lanerie Vella 114 optional claimer at Oaklawn. 2 Hold Harmless Velazquez McGaughey 114 And as for the crop of newly turned 2-year-olds? The 3 Gone Away Lrdnmx (Brz) Leparoux Matz 114 Winchells recently gave a name to a certain champion’s full- 4 Lira K Giant's Causeway Castellano Pletcher 118 sister... Untapped. 5 Wedding Dress Medaglia d'Oro Saez Albertrani 114 6 Andreya's Reward K Warrior's Reward Rios Wolfson 118 7 Vieja Luna Street Hero Lopez Fernandez 118 8 Catch a Glimpse K City Zip Geroux Casse 120 HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 7 OF 13 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY • FEB. 25, 2016

Herecomesthebride S. cont. Breeders: 1-Carol M Ricker, Patrick W Madden &Ben P Walden Jr., 2-AJ Suited, LLC, 3-J. V. Shields Jr., 4-G. Watts Humphrey Jr. & St. George Owners: 1-Donato Lanni, 2-Stuart S. Janney III, 3-Augustin Stable, 4-Mathis FarmLLC, 5-WinStar Farm, LLC, 6-K & G Stables, 7-John A. DeVault III & Stable LLC, 5- Racing LLC, 6-N.T.S. Stable, Inc. & Kathryn Sue S. DeVault, 8-Adena Springs, 9-Alexander - Groves - Matz, 10-Sycamore Davey, 7-Juan Francisco Landaeta, 8-Gary Barber, Michael James Ambler and Hall Thoroughbreds, LLC, 11-SF Racing, 12-Belleview High School, 13-Dr. Windways Farm. Breeders: 1-Richard Forbush, 2-Stuart S. Janney, III LLC, John A. Chandler, 14-Mike Connelly. 3-Dianne D. Cotter, 4-Tada Nobutaka, 5-Darley, 6-Bob & Rae Horton & Charles Middleton, 7-Fernandez-Robles Family Trust & Flying H Stables, Saturday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 1:27 p.m. EST 8-Branch Equine, LLC. GULFSTREAM PARK SPRINT S.-GIII, $100,000, 4yo/up, 6 1/2f PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT Saturday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 3:25 p.m. EST 1 Candip K Candy Ride (Arg) Gaffalione Tomlinson 119 CANADIAN TURF S.-GIII, $150,000, 4yo/up, 1mT 2 Grand Bili K City Zip Velazquez Delgado 117 PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT 3 Brothersofthetime Bob and John Zayas Navarro 117 1 Tower of Texas K Street Sense Castellano Attfield 119 4 Ready for Rye K City Zip Castellano Albertrani 121 2 Divisidero K Kitten's Joy Prado Bradley 117 5 X Y Jet Kantharos Jaramillo Navarro 123 3 Long On Value Value Plus Geroux Mott 119 6 Griff Rockport Harbor Saez Hills 119 4 Notacatbutallama Harlan's Holiday Velazquez Pletcher 119 7 Trouble Kid Harlan's Holiday Navarro Preciado 123 5 Quality Bird Quality Road Lanerie Wilkes 117 8 Viva Majorca Tiago Leparoux Wilkes 119 6 Fredericksburg Speightstown Bravo Matz 117 Owners: 1-K Town Partners, 2-Groupo 7C Racing Stable, 3-Gelfenstein 7 Avanzare Grand Reward Lezcano Proctor 123 Farm, LLC, 4-Chalk Racing, 5-Rockingham Ranch & Gelfenstein Farm, 6-Sea 8 Heart to Heart English Channel Leparoux Lynch 123 Gull Capital, 7-Barbara Hopkins, 8-Marylou Whitney Stables LLC. 9 Passion for Action Speightstown Saez De Paulo 117 Breeders: 1-WinStar Farm, LLC, 2-Gustav Schickedanz, 3-Marion G. Owners: 1-Thomas F. Van Meter II & Scott Dilworth, 2-Gunpowder Farms Montanari, 4-Soc. Agr. Santa Elena De ChimbarongoLTDA, 5-Didier LLC, 3-Wachtel Stable & George J. Kerr, 4-Repole Stable, 5-Marylou Whitney Plasencia, 6-Seagull Associates, LLC, 7-Morris B. Floyd, Pat Farrah, Dan Stables LLC, 6-Ramona S. Bass, 7-Donato Lanni & John F. Youngblood, Tsujioka & Dave Alban, 8-Marylou Whitney Stables LLC. 8-Terry Hamilton, 9-Benjamin Hutzel. Breeders: 1-Anderson Farms (Ontario) Inc. & Rod Ferguson, 2-Hinkle Farms, 3-Snow Lantern Thoroughbreds, 4-Happy Hill Farm, 5-Marylou Whitney Stables LLC, 6-Ramona S. Bass, 7-Snow Lantern Thoroughbreds, 8-Red Hawk Ranch, 9-Ben Hutzel.

Saturday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 4:58 p.m. EST PALM BEACH S.-GIII, $150,000, 3yo, 1 1/16mT PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT by Bill Finley 1 Frontier Ranger U S Ranger Corrales Pellegrini 114 With only one race of consequence run last week on the road 2 Cave Johnson Broken Vow Zayas Toner 114 to the GI Kentucky Derby, the GII Risen Star S., there wasn’t a 3 Ousby Shakespeare Juarez Vitali 114 lot of movement in this week’s TDN Top 12. Gun Runner (Candy K 4 Space Mountain Street Cry (Ire) Leparoux Arnold, II 114 Ride {Arg}) was the big story, as he vaulted all the way to fifth K 5 Kismet's Heels Tapit Saez Pletcher 114 place on our list with his Risen Star victory. Airoforce (Colonel 6 Urban Bourbon K City Zip Lanerie Kenneally 114 John) drops out after a dismal showing in the Risen Star and 7 Don't Be So Salty Tiz Wonderful Wilson Contessa 118 8 Scholar Athlete Einstein (Brz) Ortiz, Jr. Motion 114 trainer Mark Casse’s declaration that his colt is off the trail to 9 Gimlet K Lemon Drop Kid Geroux Pletcher 114 . This Saturday’s GII Fountain of Youth S. is 10 Giant Run K Giant's Causeway Bravo Albertrani 114 coming up huge and includes just about everyone’s No. 1 in 11 Converge K Sidney's Candy Castellano Brown 114 Mohaymen (Tapit), so there should be plenty to report about 12 American Phantom Cowtown Cat Gaffalione Rodriguez 114 next week. 13 J R 's Holiday K Harlan's Holiday Jaramillo Garoffalo 118 14 Azar K Scat Daddy Velazquez Pletcher 120 1. MOHAYMEN (c, Tapit--Justwhistledixie, by ) Owners: 1-Herman Van Den Broeck, 2-AJ Suited Racing Stable, LLC, 3-John O-Shadwell Stable. B-Clearsky Farm (Ky). T-Kiaran McLaughlin. Grossi's Racing Corp., 4-G. Watts Humphrey Jr. & St. George Farm Racing, Sales history: $2,200,000 Ylg ‘14 KEESEP. LLC, 5-JSM Equine LLC, 6-Bourbon Lane Stable, 7-Platinum Seven LLC, Dan Last Start: 1st, GII Holy Bull S., GP, Jan. 30 Guarino & Julia C. Boutelle, 8-West Point Thoroughbreds, 9-Eclipse Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Remsen S., AQU, Nov. 28; 1st Thoroughbred Partners, 10-Robert C. Baker and William L. Mack, 11-Paul GII S., AQU, Nov. 4; Next Start: GII Fountain of Youth S., Pompa, Jr., 12-P & T Stable, 13-JR Racing LLC, 14-Alto Racing, LLC. GP, Feb. 27; Thoro-Graph sheet; Andrew Caulfield column HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 8 OF 13 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY • FEB. 25, 2016

Kentucky Derby Top 12 cont. 2. (c, Uncle Mo--Seeking Gabrielle, by Forestry) People who aren’t in love with Mohaymen are getting harder O-Reddam Racing LLC. B-Summerhill Farm (Ky). T-Doug O’Neill. to find, but at least one respected observer of the Sales history: $400,000 2yo ‘15 FTFMAR; $230,000 Ylg ‘14 Thoroughbred game is far from KEESEP; $180,000 Wlg ‘13 KEENOV. convinced he’ll be the one to Last Start: 1st, GII San Vicente S., SA, Feb. 15 beat come Derby Day. Here’s Accomplishments Include: 1st, GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, KEE, what clocker Bruno DeJulio had Oct. 31; 1st, GI Front Runner S., SA, Sept. 26; 1st, GI Del Mar to say recently about the colt, “I Futurity, DMR, Sept. 7; 1st GII Best Pal S., DMR, Aug. 8 think he’s a wonderful horse and Next Start: GI , GP, Apr. 2 I'm not going to take anything Thoro-Graph sheet Mohaymen | Adam Coglianese away from him, but I don’t Andrew Caulfield on Nyquist believe he’s a 10-furlong horse Yes, breeding is an inexact science. Seeking Gabrielle based on what I’ve seen from him mentally. He doesn’t have a (Forestry), the dam of Nyquist, was meant to be a good horse. ‘shut-off button’ and I think to be a Derby horse or a winner at Her dam is Seeking Regina (Seeking 10 furlongs, you have to have that ability to shut yourself off the Gold), who won the GII and he doesn't show me that. Most good horses, including Adirondack S. at Saratoga in 1994. , had the ability to shut themselves down and Yet, Seeking Gabrielle couldn’t run a relax where they are not completely into every step of the race. lick. Her only win came in an Mohaymen, the way he gallops, the way he works, he lays his $11,000 maiden claimer at body down every single time, and that is a trait of Tapits. They Louisiana Downs and two starts Nyquist | Horsephotos have unbelievable bundled up energy.” That, of course, doesn’t later she was claimed for $12,500 mean he can’t win Saturday’s assignment, the GII Fountain of by trainer Jerry Hardin. She concluded her career with an Youth S. at a mile-and-a-sixteenth. Though facing a stellar eighth-place finish in a 2008 allowance race at Delta Downs. But lineup, he will be the heavy favorite. she has a talent, and it’s as a broodmare. Cont. p9 TO MISCHIEF

Mr. Prospector, 70 b Smart Strike, 92 b ...... Classy ‘n Smart, 81 b Curlin, 04 ch ...... Deputy Minister, 79 dk b/ Sherriff’s Deputy, 94 b .... Curlin to Mischief Barbarika, 85 b Foaled in Kentucky Clever Trick, 76 dk b/ Tricky Creek, 86 b ...... Battle Creek Girl, 77 b Leslie’s Lady, 96 b ... Stop the Music, 70 b Crystal Lady, 90 b ...... One Last Bird, 80 ch

By CURLIN (2004). Horse of the year twice, Classic winner of $10,501,800 USA in N.A. and United Arab Emirates, Preakness S. [G1] (PIM, $600,000), etc. Sire of 5 crops of racing age, 451 , 295 starters, 24 stakes winners, 1 champion, 214 winners of 518 races and earning $26,891,272 USA, including Stellar Wind (Champion in U.S., to 3, 2015, $913,200, [G1] (SA, $240,000), etc.), ($2,691,135, Belmont S. [G1] (BEL, $600,000), etc.), Keen Ice (to 3, 2015, $1,819,645, Travers S. [G1] (SAR, $850,000), etc.), (at 2, 2015, $1,023,120, Saratoga Special S. [G2] (SAR, $120,000), etc.), Curalina (at 3, 2015, $1,006,800, Acorn S. [G1] (BEL, $400,000), etc.), Diversy Harbor (to 4, 2015, $377,690, Buena Vista S. [G2] (SA, $120,000), etc.). 1st dam LESLIE’S LADY, by Tricky Creek. 5 wins at 2 and 3, $187,014, Hoosier Debutante S. [L] (HOO, $41,430), 2nd Martha Washington S. [L] (OP, $10,000). Dam of 11 foals, 7 to race, 5 winners-- BEHOLDER (f. by Henny Hughes). 15 wins in 20 starts, 2 to 5, 2015, $4,436,600, Champion 2-year-old filly in U.S., Champion 3-year-old filly in U.S., Champion older mare in U.S., Breeders’ Cup Distaff [G1] (SA, $1,100,000), Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies [G1] (SA, $1,080,000), TVG Pacific Classic S. [G1] (DMR, $600,000), Clement L. Hirsch S. [G1] (DMR, $180,000), S. [G1] (SA, $180,000) twice, Santa Anita Oaks [G1] (SA, $180,000), Las Virgenes S. [G1] (SA, $150,000), Zenyatta S. [G1] (SA, $150,000), etc. INTO MISCHIEF (c. by Harlan’s Holiday). 3 wins in 6 starts at 2 and 3, $597,080, CashCall Futurity [G1] (HOL, $403,000), S. [L] (OSA, $68,280), 2nd Malibu S. [G1] (SA, $50,000), San Vicente S. [G2] (SA, $30,000), Hollywood Prevue S. [G3] (HOL, $20,000). Sire.

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For more information call Sean Feld (859) 519-9665 or Rancho San Miguel (805) 467-3847 Feld Family HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 9 OF 13 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY • FEB. 25, 2016

Derby Top 12 cont. Keith trained for 22 years before winning a graded-stakes Seeking Gabrielle’s first foal is Nyquist, a multiple Grade I race, which he accomplished in 2013 with I’ve Struck a Nerve winner and a champion. Seeking Gabrielle has sold twice at (Yankee Gentleman) in the GII Risen Star S. Even that win auction since retiring, for $45,000 at Keeneland January in 2011 seemed like a fluke as the and for $100,000 at Keeneland November in 2013. Imagine horse went off at 135-1 and what she is worth now? The shrewd buyer that day was Hinkle never raced again. But Farms. Things will be quiet over the next few weeks for Nyquist, Desormeaux has proven in as he won’t race again until the Apr. 2 GI Florida Derby. recent years that he is good at what he does, and very well 3. MOR SPIRIT (r, Eskendereya--Im a Dixie Girl, by Dixie Union) could be the most improved O-Michael Lund Petersen. B-Elkstone Group LLC (PA). T-Bob trainer in the sport over the Baffert. last four or five years. He won Exaggerator | Coady Sales history: $650,000 2yo ‘15 FTFMAR; $85,000 Ylg ‘14 five graded stakes in 2015 and FTKOCT. 11 stakes overall and had a career best year in earnings with Last Start: 1st, GIII Robert B. Lewis S., Feb. 6, SA $3,834,257. In 2014, he won his first Grade I event, the Accomplishments Include: 1st, GI Los Alamitos Futurity, LRC, GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile with Texas Red (Afleet Alex). With Dec. 19 Exaggerator poised to be a major player on the road to the Next Start: Undecided GI Kentucky Derby, Keith may finally become known for Thoro-Graph sheet something other than being Kent’s big brother. Andrew Caulfield on Mor Spirit After a weird Tuesday morning when he was eased in a 5. GUN RUNNER (c, Candy Ride {Arg}--Quiet Giant, by Giant’s workout, Mor Spirit is none the worse for wear, trainer Bob Causeway) Baffert reports. It seems the O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC & Three Chimneys Farm. B- 3-year-old star was just displaying his quirky side. That’s good Besilu Stables. T-Steve Asmussen. news for the Baffert stable, as Last Start: 1st, GII Risen Star S., FG, Feb. 20 Mor Spirit looks like far and away Next Start: GII Louisiana Derby, FG, Mar. 26 the best 3-year-old in the barn. Thoro-Graph sheet Baffert still isn’t certain where Andrew Caulfield on Gun Runner the horse will race next. He may Gun Runner made a major jump in this week’s TDN Top 12, go in the GII San Felipe S. or going from an “on the bubble” horse to claiming the fifth spot skip that race and go right into on our list. He did so with a solid win over a solid bunch in the the GI Santa Anita Derby. With GII Risen Star at the Fair Nyquist about to leave town Mor Spirit | Benoit Grounds. It was his first and head to Gulfstream Park, stakes win, but it hardly Mor Spirit looks like he might have the runs of things for now in came as a surprise since Southern California. he had won two of three prior starts and his lone 4. EXAGGERATOR (c, Curlin--Dawn Raid, by Vindication) defeat came in the O-Big Chief Racing. B-Joseph B. Murphy (Ky). T-Keith Desormeaux. GII Kentucky Jockey Club Sales history: $110,000 Ylg ‘14 KEESEP. S., where he was fourth. Last Start: 2nd, GII San Vicente S. ,SA, Feb. 15 That race, contested Gun Runner | Lou Hodges Accomplishments Include: 1st, GIII Delta Jackpot, DED, Nov. 21; Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs, is looking more and more like the 1st, GII Saratoga Special S., SAR, Aug. 16 best 2-year-old race run last year as Mor Spirit, Mo Tom (Uncle Next Start: GII San Felipe S., SA, Mar. 12 Mo) and now Gun Runner have all come out of it to win graded Thoro-Graph sheet stakes races in their next starts. Well bred and in the crafty Trainer Keith Desormeaux has spent much of his career hands of Steve Asmussen, he is one to be reckoned with. working in the shadow of brother Kent, the Hall of Fame jockey. That had a lot to do with Kent’s success on the racetrack and Derby Top 12 cont. p10 Keith’s more moderate success. HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 10 OF 13 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY • FEB. 25, 2016

Derby Top 12 cont. 6. GREENPOINTCRUSADER (c, Bernardini--Ava Knowsthecode, by Cryptoclearance) O-St. Elias Stable, MeB Racing Stables LLC & Brooklyn Boyz Stable. B-Oakbrook Farm (Ky). T-Dominick Schettino. Sales history: $575,000 Ylg ‘14 KEESEP. Last Start: 2nd, GII Holy Bull S., GP, Jan. 30 Accomplishments Include: 1st, GI Champagne S., BEL, Oct. 30 Next Start: GII Louisiana Derby, FG, Mar. 26 Thoro-Graph sheet Jerry Brown of Thoro-Graph doesn't believe people should overlook Greenpointcrusader. “Due to ground loss, Greenpointcrusader ran almost as fast as Mohaymen [in the GII Holy Bull S.], and the dam has thrown three horses that ran negative figures,” Brown notes. Unlike the Beyer figures, the Thoro-Graph numbers take into account how much ground a horse loses on the turns. According to Trakus, Greenpointcrusader ran 13 feet farther than Mohaymen did in the Holy Bull. As for Greenpointcrusader’s fast siblings, the ones that have also run negative numbers on Greenpointcrusader | Durand the sheets are Justin Phillip (First Samurai), Keyed Entry (Honour and Glory) and Successful Everyone knows this is a very fast horse, but can he go two Mission (Successful Appeal). turns and excel at a mile-and-a-sixteenth? "We'll see on Saturday," Gold said. "We can't predict the future. I've done 7. AWESOME BANNER (c, Awesome of Course--Miranda what I can, we'll run him and we'll see." Stands, by Zamindar) O/B-Jacks Or Better Farm, Inc. T-Stanley Gold. 8. BRODY’S CAUSE (c, Giant’s Causeway--Sweet Breanna, by Last Start: 1st, GII Swale S., GP, Jan. 30 Sahm) Accomplishments Include: 1st, GIII Hutcheson S., GP, Jan. 2 O-Albaugh Family Stable. B-Gabriel Duignan, William Arvin Jr & Next Start: GII Fountain of Youth S., GP, Feb. 27 Petaluma (Ky). T-Dale Romans. Sales: $350,000 Ylg ‘14 KEESEP. Thoro-Graph sheet Last Start: 3rd, GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, KEE, Oct. 31 Andrew Caulfield on Awesome Banner Accomplishments Include: 1st, GI Breeders’ Futurity, KEE, Oct. 3 His connections had considered sending him to the GII Tampa Next Start: GII Tampa Bay Derby, TAM, Mar. 12 Bay Derby instead of the GII Fountain of Youth S., but confirmed Thoro-Graph sheet yesterday that they will race Brody’s Cause will be the last horse in the current TDN Top 12 Saturday at Gulfstream. "We to make his 3-year-old debut, which isn’t scheduled to occur decided to stay here with him until the Mar. 12 Tampa Bay Derby. Should he win, will trainers because this is where we are start thinking more and more about purposefully getting off to a stabled," trainer Stanley Gold late start? Last year’s Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah said. "It was not a hard decision. made his 3-year-old debut at virtually the same time, beginning [Gulfstream] is our home turf, his campaign in the Mar. 14 GII Rebel S. According to Thoro- Awesome Banner he's doing good, the race is just a Graph data, trainer Dale Romans wins at a 14% rate with horses Leslie Martin few days away. Why enter into who have not raced for 90 days or more. This is a good horse the unknown and go to a track he's never been to? We who should improve this year, as he shows signs of late eliminate a lot of variables by staying here." development. Cont. p11 HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 11 OF 13 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY • FEB. 25, 2016

Derby Top 12 cont. 11. FRANK CONVERSATION (c, Quality Road--Rushen Heat, by Unusual Heat) 9. MO TOM (c, Uncle Mo--Caroni, by Rubiano) O-Reddam Racing LLC. B-Marc Keller. T-Doug O’Neill. O-GMB Racing. B-Hargus & Sandra Sexton & Silver Fern Farm. Sales history: $65,000 Ylg ’14 FTKOCT; $120,000 2yo ’15 T-Tom Amoss. OBSMAR Sales history: $150,000 Ylg ‘14 KEESEP. Last Start: 1st, GIII El Camino Real Derby, GG, Feb. 13 Last Start: 3rd, GII Risen Star S., FG, Feb. 20 Accomplishments Include: 1st, California Derby, GG, Jan. 16 Accomplishments Include: 1st, GIII LeComte S., FG, Jan. 16; 1st, Next Start: G2 UAE Derby, MEY, Mar. 26 Street Sense S., CD, Nov. 1 Thoro-Graph sheet Frank Conversation probably isn’t a star, but he has been very Next Start: GII Louisiana Derby, FG, Mar. 26 well managed by owner Paul Reddam and trainer Doug O’Neill. Thoro-Graph sheet He shipped to Northern California Even though Mo Tom was third in the GII Risen Star S., he has to win two stakes up there against moved up in our rankings as he easy company and could be in line turned in a very good performance in for a huge payday in the $2 million which he had to overcome a tough GII UAE Derby Mar. 26, which trip. Here’s what the Equibase chart usually doesn’t come up that caller saw from Mo Tom, “Mo Tom strong. If you look at his Thoro- raced inside on the first turn, lagged Graph sheet, it’s hard to picture Frank Conversation Vassar Photography at the rear while under some urging, Mo Tom him as a major player on the was ridden along while two to three Hodges Photography Derby trail in the U.S. as he usually wide on the far turn, dropped closer runs in the “8 neighborhood,” much slower than the top horses to the rail late on that bend, gained into the stretch, checked on this list. and swerved in when Bistraya drifted in front of him at the three-sixteenths, regained momentum while moving out 12. SMOKEY IMAGE (c, Southern Image--Special Smoke, by outside the furlong marker and finished fast, but was too late.” ) After losing by just 1 1/2 lengths he may even be the favorite in O-Irvin Racing Stable. B-C Punch Ranch, Inc. T-Carla Gaines. the GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 26. Last Start: 1st, Cal Cup Derby, SA, Jan. 30 Accomplishments Include: 1st, Golden State Juvenile S., DMR, 10. SHAGAF (c, Bernardini--Muhaawara, by ’s Song) Oct. 30; 1st, I’m Smokin S., DMR, Sept. 4; 1st, Cavonnier Juvenile S., SR, Aug. 16; 1st, Everett Nevin S., OTP, July 5 O/B-Shadwell Stable. T-Chad Brown Next Star: GII San Felipe S., SA, Mar. 12 Last Start: 1st, Allowance Race, GP, Jan. 29 Is he the next California Chrome ()? Why not? The Next Start: GIII Gotham, AQU, Mar. 5 2014 GI Kentucky Derby winner was also a California-bred who Thoro-Graph sheet won two stakes also on the Trainer Chad Brown has a bunch of Derby contenders, but all resume of Smokey Image, the of them, at the moment, are Golden State Juvenile and the hovering near the bottom of Cal Cup Derby. Like California most Top 10/Top Dozen Chrome, Smokey Image will lists. That doesn’t mean that hope to burst into prominence Brown won’t have a major against open graded-stakes player come May 7. He’s as Smokey Image| Benoit Photo company in the GII San Felipe S., good as any trainer in the a race California Chrome won by country and is just now 7 1/4 lengths. For this one, the San Felipe will be a huge test starting to show that he has Shagaf | Lauren King what it takes to develop a Click sire’s name for Progeny PPs; dam name for Stakes-Winning major dirt 3-year-old. Shagaf may be his best hope this year, as Pedigrees; last race for video replay. the horse is unbeaten in two career starts. He was given a 78 Beyer number in his recent allowance win and will have to Derby Top 12 cont. p12 prove that he can run much faster. HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 12 OF 13 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY • FEB. 25, 2016

ON THE BUBBLE: ASHFORD BUYS WATERFORD FARM Awesome Speed (Awesome Again): One of many who will have Ashford Stud purchased the West family’s 725-acre Waterford something to prove in loaded GII Fountain of Youth. Beat a Farm in Midway, Kentucky. The property includes eight barns weak bunch in the Mucho Macho Man S. with a total of 138 stalls, the main residence which was built in Cherry Wine (Paddy O’Prado): Connections will have to go to the 1860’s, a guest house, office and five employee homes. Plan B after he had to withdraw from GII Fountain of Youth S. “Waterford is a historic property and a long line of top horses due to a cough and slight fever. have been raised there over the years,” Ashford manager Dermot Ryan commented. “The West family, along with Mack Conquest Big E (Tapit): With Airoforce off the Derby trail after Miller, were top breeders that we hold in the highest regard and his poor showing in the GII Risen Star S., this one looks like Mark we can only hope to be half as successful as they were with the Casse’s only hope to land his first GI Kentucky Derby. property.” Ryan added, “On their visits to Ashford I always enjoyed Collected (City Zip): A lot of people are giving up on this one hearing their stories about racing and breeding as they were because he was a non-threatening fourth in the GIII Southwest great gentlemen as well as great breeders. The quality of the S. Too early to do so, considering he is trained by Bob Baffert. land speaks for itself and we are looking forward to our Destin (Giant’s Causeway): A $400,000 Keeneland September association with it in the future.” yearling purchase, he’s flying under the radar for Todd Pletcher. Waterford Farm had been in the West family for five Won the GIII Sam F. Davis S., but competition was light that day. generations and was under the care of Dr. R. Smiser West and his wife Kathryn for the last few decades. His son Robert West, Danzing Candy (Twirling Candy): Recent allowance winner, we Jr., who purchased the neighboring property in 1990 and grew it really won’t know how good this ‘TDN Rising Star’ is until he into the 100-acre Millford Farm, took over management of the faces heavyweights in the GII San Felipe S. facility after is father’s death in 2006. Kathryn West also passed away last year at age 91. He ran Waterford in combination with Flexibility (Bluegrass Cat): After an absence of one full month, his own property as Waterford-Millford Farm from the time of he returned to the work tab Feb. 21, going a half-mile in :49.05 his father’s death until the sale. on the Belmont training track. His next start will be in either the “The reason we sold is all the grandchildren moved away and GI Wood Memorial or the GI Blue Grass S.. none of them were interested in the farm,” West offered. Forevamo (Uncle Mo): Though dismissed at 40-1, the son of “There was a trust that owned the farm and there was really no Uncle Mo ran a bang-up second in the GII Risen Star S. to prove way that I could keep it going under the terms. I didn’t own any he belongs with the big boys. part of the farm.” He added, “I think [Ashford] taking over is really good. It’s a lot Rally Cry (Uncle Mo): If you like Shagaf (Bernardini), you have to better than if it was cut up into parts. It’s been in my family for a like this one a little bit, too. He finished third behind Shagaf in a long, long time. I am the fifth generation.” Gulfstream allowance race in which he had a brutal trip. West and his wife Mary will continue to operate Millford Farm as a breeding, boarding and quarantine facility. Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft): GIII Southwest S. winner certainly has a good closing kick as he rallied to win at Oaklawn after racing 14th and last early. A late foal [May 2], he will celebrate his birthday during Derby week.

Sunny Ridge (Holy Bull): Connections still saying “probably not” to Derby.

Zulu (Bernardini): The GII Fountain of Youth S. will be a huge race for this colt and entire Pletcher stable. Will the Todd Squad have a legitimate GI Kentucky Derby contender this year? That question will be far easier to answer after Saturday.

HEADLINE NEWS • PAGE 13 OF 13 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY • FEB. 25, 2016

North American Report cont. TIMBER COUNTRY DIES IN JAPAN ESPINOZA WINS WOOLF AWARD Timber Country (Woodman--Fall Aspen, by Pretense), the Victor Espinoza, the first jockey since 1978 to win the Triple 1994 Eclipse Award-winning juvenile who defeated his two-time Crown, has been named the winner of the 2016 George Woolf Classic-winning stablemate Thunder Gulch (Gulch) in the Award as selected by his fellow riders. Dedicated to the Hall of GI Preakness S. the following spring, passed away earlier this Fame jockey best known for piloting week at Lex Stud in Japan at the age of 24. national sensation to his Bred in Kentucky by Lowquest Ltd., Timber Country was match race victory over War Admiral purchased for $500,000 at the Keeneland July Sale in 1993 and in 1938, the Woolf Award seeks to raced for a partnership consisting of W.T. Young’s Overbrook honor riders whose careers and Farm, Gainesway Farm and Bob and Beverly Lewis. The well- personal character earn esteem for related colt was trained the individual and Thoroughbred by D. Wayne Lukas, who racing as a whole. had signed the winning With his historic feat aboard ticket. Winner of the American Pharoah, Espinoza helped GI Moet Champagne S. project a ahead of his two-length positive image far beyond the defeat of Eltish (Cox’s Victor Espinoza | Benoit Timber Country | breederscup.com confines of its industry throughout Ridge) in the 2015, elevating the sport’s exposure and acceptance to a level GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs, Timber Country perhaps not seen since the 1970s. failed to reach the winner’s circle in his first three starts at "It's quite an honor for any rider to be selected by his peers as three, but was nevertheless sent out the 34-10 favorite in the the winner of such a prestigious award," said Terry Meyocks, GI Kentucky Derby. Ridden by Pat Day from well back in the National Manager of the Jockeys' Guild. "I would like to field, the chestnut saved ground and rallied nicely but fell congratulate Victor on this great achievement." 2 1/4 lengths short of Thunder Gulch. Despite the loss, he was In addition to capturing the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Preakness S. favored yet again in the Preakness and circled horses en route and GI Belmont S., Espinoza and American Pharoah won last to a 1/2-length victory, with Thunder Gulch third. Timber year’s GII Rebel S., GI Arkansas Derby, GI Haskell Invitational Country missed the final leg of the Triple Crown, ultimately won and, in a performance for the ages, the $5-million GI Breeders’ by his stable companion, due to an illness and was retired with Cup Classic. five wins from 12 starts and earnings of $1,560,400. While making numerous national media appearances through Sold to the Yoshida Brothers, Timber Country entered stud at the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the Shadai Farm and stood for one season in Dubai on a lease 43-year-old Espinoza also committed his time to helping agreement with Sheikh Mohammed. That crop yielded 2004 cancer-stricken youth, donating 10% of his winnings to support GI Beldame S. winner Balletto (UAE), who was also runner-up in pediatric cancer research at City of Hope in Duarte, California. the previous year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Timber Born on a dairy farm near , Espinoza is the 11th of Country also shuttled to Australia. 12 children. With American Pharoah providing the horsepower, Hailing from one of the most influential female families in the Espinoza gleefully proclaimed himself “The luckiest Mexican on stud book, Timber Country was a son of the 1978 GI Matron S. earth” on national television following their win in the Belmont. winner and was a half-brother to champion Bianconi and to A three-time ESPY Award winner, Espinoza has three career Group 1 winners Fort Wood and Hamas (Ire). Another half- Kentucky Derby wins, three Preakness victories, three Breeders’ sibling, Colorado Dancer (Ire) created her own legacy as the Cup triumphs and 11 Southern California riding titles. dam of future MG1SW and winner Dubai The remaining four finalists for this year’s award, which can Millennium (GB). only be won once during a rider’s career, were Joe Bravo, Javier Castellano, Gerard Melancon and Joe Steiner. Espinoza will be presented with the 67th Woolf Award trophy in a winner’s circle ceremony Mar. 13.

REGIONAL REPORT Thursday • February 25, 2016 FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2005, FOAL CROP That represented a 9.2% increase over 2014. The price of weanlings rose 17.3% and the price for 2-year-olds sold at DOES NOT DECLINE by Bill Finley auction went up by 11.9%. The only market to fall was the The Jockey Club is estimating the 2015 U.S. foal crop will be broodmare market. The average price paid per broodmare was 20,300, precisely the same estimate it gave a year ago for the $61,108, down 12.4%. 2014 foal crop. Though the numbers are still down dramatically from peak years, the 20,300 figure is notable in that it represents the first time the foal crop did not decline on a year- to-year basis since 2005. FITZGERALD OUT TO MAKE MOST OF FIRST Including Puerto Rico and Canada, the annual North American foal crop in 2015 is estimated to be 22,000, also identical to OVERSEAS TRIP by Alan Carasso 2014 estimates. If you have to go overseas for the first time, why not sunny The numbers were posted yesterday on The Jockey Club’s Southern California? When David Fitzgerald boards a Los website as it released its annual Fact Book. Angeles-bound plane this week to audition for the open A total of 35,050 foals were born in the U.S. in 2005, but the announcer’s job at iconic , it will be the first numbers began to fall precipitously in subsequent years. Just 10 time the 31-year-old--who now lives a stone’s throw from years later, in 2015, the foal crop had declined by 42%. Towcester Racecourse with In other data now available through The Jockey Club Fact his partner of six years, Book: Dawn--has ever left the (*)–There were 17,265 mares bred in Kentucky in 2015, again confines of Great Britain. making the Bluegrass State the runaway leader when it comes Fitzgerald is the second of to the number of Thoroughbreds bred. Florida was a distant two overseas-based second at 2,938. The number also represented a healthy racecallers who has been increase of 10.5% when compared to 2013. However, the invited to the Great Race number for stallions in Kentucky has fallen from 2013, from 262 Place following a global to 214. That would appear to indicate that people are losing David Fitzgerald search by Santa Anita interest in breeding to lower-end stallions. executives. Craig Evans, the senior commentator for the Singapore Turf Club, called the (*)–The most popular stallion in the U.S. in terms of mares races Feb. 20 and 21. bred to in 2015 was Uncle Mo, who was bred to 221 mares. He “I don’t think anyone can really replace Trevor Denman, those was followed by Scat Daddy (217), Into Mischief (210) and shoes are too big to fill, but I feel truly honored to be in the Shanghai Bobby (202). running to succeed him. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” (*)–The number of U.S. races run in 2015 declined for the 11th said Fitzgerald via email. “Santa Anita is one of the biggest and straight year, to 38,941, a drop of 5.1%. As recently as 2004, most celebrated racing venues worldwide. To be able to say that 53,595 races were held. In 1989, 74,071 races were run in the I’ve called there is something which I will forever be proud of, U.S. whatever happens next.” (*)–U.S. pari-mutuel handle rose slightly, to $10.6 billion, a Born in Epsom, Surrey, in 1984, Fitzgerald says that racing has 1.2% increase from 2014. However, the number is still off been in his blood ever since his youth, when his mother and dramatically from a peak of $15.1 billion in 2003. father regularly took him and his brother racing at places like (*)–Both average field size and the average number of starts Sandown Park and Fontwell Park. Fitzgerald joined the staff at per horse held fairly steady. The average field size was 7.82, up Racing UK one day after his 20th birthday in 2004, initially as slightly from 7.69. The average starts per horse figure was 6.18, staff and then freelance. Employed first as an editorial assistant, down a hair from 2014 (6.22). he transitioned over to the technical, gallery-based role of (*)–The amount of purse money paid out in 2015 was $1.09 EVS/VT Operator in March 2006. But Fitzgerald always had billion, down slightly from 2014 ($1.11 billion). However, higher aspirations. because there were fewer races run, the average purse per race “My ambition was always to become a commentator, but this showed an increase of more than $1,000. The number in 2015 move enabled me to gain great knowledge of how a TV channel was $28,085 and it was $26,933 in 2014. is run behind the cameras, which has stood me in good stead for (*)–In most categories, the sales showed healthy increases my subsequent career in front of them, as well as behind the over 2014 numbers. A total of 6,674 yearlings were sold for a microphone,” he explained. Cont. p2 total of $437 million and an average of $65,591.

Regional Report • PAGE 2 of 4 • thetdn.com Thursday • February 25, 2016

In hopes of pursuing such a track, Fitzgerald left full-time work behind in 2009 and was awarded a spot on the UK commentators’ roster in 2010. He called his first live meeting at Kempton Park in January 2011 and celebrated what he deems the single biggest accomplishment at Royal Ascot in 2014. Wednesday’s Results: 3rd-GP, $38,000, Alw, 2-24, (NW1X), 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:43.14, “I was chosen as one of the three on-course commentators,” ft. he recollected. “I called on the Wednesday and Thursday and SECURITIZ (c, 4, --In Secure, by A.P. Indy) broke his did the same two days in 2015. The most valuable race I have maiden by 5 3/4 lengths in an Oct. 1 off-the-turf maiden at commentated on would be the 2015 Ascot Gold Cup, won by Belmont, then ran eighth behind ‘TDN Rising Star’ Marking Trip To Paris (VIDEO).” (Bernardini) in his initial first-level allowance try Nov. 4. When not working calling races, Fitzgerald says he likes to get Following that, the colt was a clear second at this track and trip ‘hands-on’ with horses, sometimes riding out for a couple of in the slop Jan. 15 despite his rider dropping the on the far trainers, namely Alex Hales and Imogen Pickard. turn. Wednesday, the $350,000 KEESEP purchase broke through He added, “I have shares in three racehorses in the UK, all and grinded out a tough victory at the end of a good three-way jumpers. I am also interested in Thoroughbred pedigrees, and stretch duel with new Todd Pletcher acquisition Cowboy Rhythm (Tapit) and H. James Bond trainee Crafted (Giant’s Causeway). have an ambition to breed National Hunt horses. Specifically, a Sent off as a narrow 7-5 second choice, the dark bay stalked a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, if possible!” moderate pace outside of those two, was put to a drive midway on the far turn, drew even with the frontrunners at the top of the stretch, took the lead past the eighth pole and held off a staunch re-rally from Cowboy Rhythm to prevail by a head. Securitiz is a half-brother to GSW Millionreasonswhy (Grand Slam, $223,340) and SW Beyondallboundarys (, TODAY’S INSIGHTS $135,310) and hails from the same connections as ‘TDN Rising Star’ Unified, who broke his maiden impressively at first asking 4th-AQU, $60K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6f, 2:50 p.m. ET Sunday. Eclipse Thoroughbred’s Cowboy Rhythm, who previously raced for WinStar Farm and Kellyn Gorder, ran Gary and Mary West’s $280,000 KEESEP purchase DEFIANTLY respectably for his new barn, dueling on the lead for much of (Exchange Rate), a full-brother to GISW Sunset Glow, debuts the race and responding between horses when collared from the Jason Servis barn in a high-quality maiden race at by Securitiz. Crafted was a solid third while running over the Aqueduct Thursday. Kiaran McLaughlin sends out Dhamaan deepest part of the track. Click for the Equibase.com chart. (Indian Charlie), a $325,000 KEESEP buy, who makes his career VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. Lifetime Record: 8-2-2-2, bow here as a 4-year-old. The Shadwell Stable runner’s second $112,376. dam is GISW Glitter Woman (Glitterman), who produced GISW O-Centennial Farms; B-Tom Evans, Tenlane Farm & Oratis (KY); Political Force and is a half-sister to GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff T-James A. Jerkens. winner Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled’s Song). McLaughlin also Foaled, Raised & Sold by Trackside Farm saddles Stonestreet Stables’ Amoral (Scat Daddy), who gets the morning-line nod after finishing a solid second at this track and Gulfstream Park Honors Veterans, Military & First Responders: Gulfstream Park will celebrate veterans, military personnel trip Jan. 3. Linda Rice unveils Joy Drive (Quality Road), a colt she and first responders and their families Saturday, Mar. 5 during bought for $400,000 in partnership with Sheila Rosenblum and the fourth annual Day to Honor. Iris Smith after watching him post an impressive :9 4/5 workout Veterans, military personnel and first responders will receive at OBS March. TJCIS PPs. free gifts, special discounts and exclusive VIP experiences. The first 500 veterans, military personnel and first responders who register will receive a free t-shirt and refreshments. Those who register will be eligible for prizes, including $500 in cash, a tour of the jockey's room for four, $50 gift certificates to Frankey's Sports Bar, Mijana, Barker Animation, III Forks, Cantina Laredo, and a $100 gift certificate for Adena Grill. Registered parties will be allowed in the winner’s circle before a race. After the races, Gulfstream will play host to Music in the Park with live performances and entertainment from 8-11 p.m. Regional Report • PAGE 3 of 4 • thetdn.com Thursday • February 25, 2016

INDUSTRY INFO

Rees Becomes KY Downs Director of Publicity: Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser Sunday at Gulfstream: Five-time Eclipse Award winning writer Jennie Rees has taken The third annual Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser for the on the role Director of Publicity at Kentucky Downs for the 2016 Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund is set for Sunday, Feb. 28 at season. The Louisville resident retired in November of 2015 Gulfstream Park and will feature a video rerun of the legendary after 34 years with the Louisville Courier-Journal. 1962 GI Preakness S. and the 1984 GI Breeders' Cup Classic. The Rees won the Media Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Magazine top finishing Hall of Fame jockeys, including Manuel Ycaza and Writing in 1988, Outstanding Newspaper Writing in 1993, John Rotz, will be on hand to answer questions for attending News/Enterprise Writing in 2011, and was the main writer on fans and media during a panel presentation and to sell signed the Courier-Journal’s Eclipse Award-winning entry in the photos of the famous races to benefit PDJF. In all 14 Hall of Multi-Media category in 2008. She added her fifth Eclipse Award Fame riders are scheduled to attend. last November for her article in the Feature/Commentary Angel Cordero, Jr., Laffit Pincay, Jr., Pat Day, Bill Boland, category. Walter Blum, Chris McCarron, Sandy Hawley, Don Pierce, Edgar “Kentucky Downs is one of the real gems of racing in the Prado, Jose Santos, Robert Ussery, Jacinto Vasquez and Jorge Commonwealth and America,” Rees said. “I greatly look forward Velasquez will all be in attendance. All will honor their severely to joining the team to help this unique track get the exposure injured fellow riders Roger Blanco, Gary Donahue, Jack Fires, and attention that its record purses, the horsemen who produce Mike Straight and Ann Von Rosen. the full fields that have received so much acclaim among bettors Held in the Sport of Kings Room beginning at noon, tickets are and Kentucky Downs’ progressive management so richly $50 and include lunch. Call 954-457-6201 Thursday-Sunday 11 deserve.” a.m. to 6 p.m. or buy online at www.gulfstreampark.com. Rees’s new role will focus on promoting Kentucky Downs’s Tickets will be available at the event. racing product the weeks before and during the live meet. She also will publicize the track’s horses and trainer and jockey colonies the rest of the year while working for an array of clients ROOKIES in her new mission of racing communications, advocacy and fan education. First/second-crop starters to watch: Thursday, February 25 Sire (Sire’s Sire), current farm, 2012 Fee, #foals of racing age/Winners/ War Emblem Gelded: BlackTypeWnrs * Race #-track, race type, distance, runner, odds (if available) Champion and dual Classic winner War Emblem (Our Emblem- ALBERTUS MAXIMUS (Albert the Great), Shadwell Farm, Pvt, -Sweetest Lady, by Lord at War {Arg}), who was recently 93/5/2 imported from Japan to reside at Old Friends Farm in Kentucky, 5-TP, Msw 1m, Fourinthemorning, 8-1 was castrated at Rood and Riddle in order to comply with BIG DRAMA (Montbrook), Bridlewood Farm, $10K, 109/15/1 Kentucky and United States Departments of Agriculture (USDA) 8-GP, Msw 7 1/2fT, Baby Drama, 30-1 import regulations. CAPE BLANCO (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}), JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station, When a stallion is imported to the U.S. from any foreign $18K, 259/17/1 country, USDA requires a test breeding to determine if the 5-TP, Msw 1m, Yarbrough, 5-2 animal is infected with or a carrier of Contagious Equine Metritis ETCHED (Forestry), Bonita Farm, $4K, 27/1/0 (CEM). 3-PEN, Msw 6f, Chapel of Chimes, 6-1 As a retired resident of Old Friends, War Emblem will not be FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy), Country Life Farm, $4K, 102/15/1 used for breeding, but USDA still requires this test on all intact 5-CT, Msw 4 1/2f, Pagan Flame, 8-1 stallions in case they get loose and inadvertently breed or pass GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway), Millennium Farms, $8K, 68/3/1 the disease via human interaction with infected semen. 5-TP, Msw 1m, Tavernonthecrow, 15-1 War Emblem, whose reluctance in the breeding shed was well HAYNESFIELD (Speightstown), Airdrie Stud, $10K, 138/18/1 documented, was placed in quarantine at Rood and Riddle and attempts to breed him were unsuccessful. 8-FG, Aoc 1m, Jensen, 3-1 After deliberating with USDA and consulting several LONHRO (AUS) (Octagonal {NZ}), Darley, $30K, 176/15/2 veterinarians, the decision was made to geld the 2002 Eclipse 8-GP, Msw 7 1/2fT, Cannes, 12-1 winner. The surgery was successful and War Emblem is doing well. Rookies Cont. p4

Regional Report • PAGE 4 of 4 • thetdn.com Thursday • February 25, 2016

MISREMEMBERED (Candy Ride {Arg}), Hill 'n' Dale Farms, $8K, 57/8/1 5-TP, Msw 1m, Dontmisstheprize, 4-1 PADDY O’PRADO (El Prado {Ire}), Spendthrift Farm, $15K, 229/19/1 5-TP, Msw 1m, Paddy Not Patty, $10K KEE JAN yrl, 3-1 REGAL RANSOM (), Darley, dead, 140/9/0 8-FG, Aoc 1m, Royal Ransom, $4K KEE SEP yrl, 9-2 SIDNEY’S CANDY (Candy Ride {Arg}), WinStar Farm, $15K, 165/12/0 8-GP, Msw 7 1/2fT, Cloontia, 3-1 SIERRA SUNSET (Bertrando), Paradise Road Ranch, $3K, 55/5/0 8-SA, Msw 1mT, Phantom Heat, $5K NCA AUG yrl, 30-1 TWIRLING CANDY (Candy Ride {Arg}), Lane's End Farm, $15K, 145/30/1 6-SA, Msw 6 1/2f, +Bako Sweets, 8-1 UNCLE MO (Indian Charlie), Ashford Stud, $35K, 261/35/8 8-GP, Msw 7 1/2fT, +Motown Rhythm, $60K OBS OPN 2yo, 12-1

Securitiz (Tiznow) guts out allowance score at Gulfstream

UPCOMING MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN STAKES B R E E D E R S’ E D I T I O N Date Race Track 2/27 GII Davona Dale S. GP AMERICA GII Fountain of Youth S. GP GIII Canadian Turf S. GP GIII Gulfstream Park Sprint GP ALLOWANCE RESULTS: GIII Herecomesthebride S. GP 4th-MVR, $25,300, (S), 2-24, (NW2L), 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:16.39, GIII Palm Beach S. GP sy. 3/5 GII Gulfstream Park H. GP SHEZA FINE JUSTICE (f, 3, Regal Ransom--Even Tempo, by GII Mac Diarmida S. GP Stephen Got Even) Lifetime Record: 10-2-0-0, $35,606. GIII Gotham S. AQU O/T-Charles Lawson; B-Justice Farm & Greg Justice (OH). * GIII The Very One S. GP $7,000 RNA Ylg '14 KEESEP; $5,200 Ylg '14 PEDIND. GIII Santa Ysabel S. SA 3/12 GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile SA ADDITIONAL MAIDEN WINNERS: GI Santa Anita H. SA Gabe's Flag, g, 3, Flagship--Withaclick, by With Approval. MVR, GII San Felipe S. SA 2-24, (S), 6f, 1:16.53. B-Larry A Byer (OH). * $1,000 RNA Ylg '14 GII San Carlos S. SA FTKOCT. GII Tampa Bay Derby TAM Country Money, g, 3, Hard Spun--Stars Indy Skies, by A.P. Indy. GII Hillsborough S. TAM GP, 2-24, (C), 1 1/16mT, 1:45.44. B-Summer Wind Farm (KY). GIII Florida Oaks TAM * $60,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP. GIII Honeybee S. OP GIII Tom Fool H. AQU All horses in the TDN are bred in North America, unless otherwise indicated

THURSDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2016

SOUTH AFRICA’S NEWEST SON CHROME LOOKS TO SHINE While it would be nothing new to see South African IN THE DESERT connections scoop a big-race win at Meydan, Harry’s Son (Aus) (Haradasun {Aus}) does represent a relatively new face on the international stage in the form of trainer Paul Lafferty, who will attempt to record his first win in the UAE with that colt in Thursday’s G2 Zabeel Mile. Lafferty opened his Dubai stable this carnival and has started three horses, one of those being Harry’s Son, who flashed home an eye-catching second behind the re- opposing Safety Check (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in his local debut in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort Jan. 21. Harry’s Son was South Africa’s champion 2-year-old of 2013/14 after winning the G1 Champion S., and he won the G2 Gauteng Guineas last February and finished fifth in the G1 S A Classic over nine furlongs in March before entering the quarantine period to travel to Dubai. “We were very pleased with that effort [in the Al Fahidi Fort],” said Lafferty. “It was his first start since March and he has certainly benefitted from it. He stays 1600 metres well and we are hoping for a big run.” Cont. in Worldwide News p4 California Chrome training at Meydan | DRC/Andrew Watkins

Thursday’s Meydan carnival card features a pair of U.S.-based standouts in its undercard handicaps: California Chrome (Lucky COMPACT FIELD FOR FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Pulpit), who will use Thursday’s sixth race as a prep for a second Shadwell Stable’s undefeated Mohaymen (Tapit) headlines shot at the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 26; and Marking a six-horse renewal of Gulfstream’s GII Fountain of Youth S. (Bernardini), who went to his knees and threw rider James Click or tap here to go straight to TDN America. Doyle at the start of the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint two weeks ago in what was his intended local debut. California Chrome finished second in last year’s Dubai World Cup in what proved his final start of the year, and the now 5-year-old showed no signs of rustiness when returning a winner in the GII San Pasqual S. Jan. 10 at Santa Anita. Alan Sherman, son of and assistant to trainer Art Sherman, has been supervising California Chrome’s preparations in Dubai in recent weeks and said Wednesday, “He is a bigger and stronger horse this year. He has done everything we have asked of him and we are very pleased with his preparations. We decided to run this week rather than on Super Saturday to give him a month between races before the World Cup. We could not be happier with him and are really excited about having another crack at the Dubai World Cup.” Regular rider Victor Espinoza has flown in for the ride. It is the same race used by Curlin (Smart Strike) to prep for his win in the 2008 G1 Dubai World Cup; however, Curlin contested the race at the now defunct Nad Al Sheba racecourse. Cont. in Worldwide News p4 TDN EUROPE/INTERNATIONAL • PAGE 2 of 6 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2016

2) A stallion would could feature prominently (doesn’t have to be first season)? JD: I apologise for not looking beyond my own nose, but I WITH NEWSELLS PARK’S JULIAN DOLLAR absolutely love Nathaniel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). He’s a horse that has excited me at every juncture; as a racehorse, through his syndication as a stallion, to his first foals, his first yearlings and 1) Horse you are most looking forward to seeing this season? now with the vibes and comments we are getting from the JD: Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Her win in the 1000 trainers. As well as a lovely horse to look at and a brilliant Guineas last May was an incredibly important moment for racehorse, he is such a genuine character and if he succeeds in Newsells Park Stud. Masked Marvel (GB) (Monteju {Ire}), who passing on just a fraction of that willingness to please to his won the 2011 St Leger, was the first Classic winner Newsells Park progeny, I think he will make a very exciting stallion. I’m not had bred since Mr. Jacobs bought the stud in 2000 (indeed he expecting a plethora of early 2-year-olds, but he will hopefully was the stud’s first Classic winner have made his mark by the end of the season. since Parthia won the Derby in 1959 for Sir Humphrey de 3) Positive change you would like to see for the industry in Trafford), but Legatissimo 2016? winning the 1000 Guineas was of JD: We have the best racing and some of the best breeders in the a different intensity entirely and world here in the UK, but we continue to give racehorse owners such a special day for everyone a relatively poor return, so although it’s an old chestnut, involved in the stud. It was anything that gives owners a better experience and a better particularly nice that Dr. Andreas return on their investment has to be of paramount importance Jacobs’s nephew, Nikolaus, was and benefit the entire industry. there to see Legatissimo win and to pick up the trophy for the Julian Dollar | Emma Berry winning breeder. Although it was heartbreaking to see Legatissimo just beaten in the Oaks a month later, her authoritative wins in both the Nassau and the CLICK HERE FOR subscription Matron S. later in the season were exceptional too. She was certainly the outstanding 3-year-old filly of 2015 and I hope she’ll IT’S FREE and ALWAYS prove to be just as outstanding this year. WILL BE TDN EUROPE/INTERNATIONAL • PAGE 3 of 6 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2016

2015 Timeform 4th-LIN, £4,500, Mdn, 2-24, 3yo, f, 10f (AWT), 2:06.38, st. Top-Rated Horse by Country GOLDEN CHAPTER (GB) (f, 3, Danehill Dancer {Ire}--Farfala {Fr} (Europe) {SW & GSP-Fr, SP-Eng}, by Linamix {Fr}), a 200,000gns TATOCT yearling, was too keen when fifth on debut over a mile at Horse Sire Trainer Rating Golden Horn Cape Cross J Gosden 134 Kempton Dec. 15 and again raced freely before being found Solow Singspiel F Head 129 cover on the rail behind the leading duo. Pushed to the front Treve Motivator C Head-Maarek 129 with a furlong remaining, the 10-11 favourite held on to score Highland Reel Galileo A O'Brien 129 by a nose from the strong-finishing Celestra (GB) (Doyen {Ire}). Order Of St George Galileo A O'Brien 129 The winner, whose dam is a full-sister to the G1SWs Fragrant Dylan Mouth Dylan Thomas S Botti 121 Mix (Ire) and Alpine Rose (Fr) from an excellent Lagardere Ito Adlerflug J-P Carvalho 125 family, is a half to Under the Rainbow (GB) (Fantastic Light), SW 2015 Timeform global rankings were released 15 Jan. 2016. For & MGSP-Eng, $212,062; and to Starfala (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), more on Timeform, click here. MGSP-Eng, $109,335. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $4,082. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Mr Sutong Pan; B-Arbib Bloodstock Partnership (GB); T-Ralph Beckett.

Wednesday’s Results: ADDITIONAL MAIDEN WINNER: 3rd-KEM, £19,000, Alw, 2-24, 4yo/up, 8f (AWT), 1:38.35, st. Papou Tony (GB), g, 3, Raven’s Pass--Lukrecia (Ire) (GSP-Ger), by CAPTAIN CAT (IRE) (g, 7, Dylan Thomas {Ire}--Mother of Pearl Exceed and Excel (Aus). KEM, 2-24, 8f (AWT), 1:38.59. B-Litex {Ire} {GSW-Fr & GSP-Eng}, by Sadler’s Wells), who was fourth in Commerce (GB). *25,000gns Ylg ‘14 TAOCT. the Listed Winter Derby Trial S. over 10 furlongs at Lingfield last time Feb. 6, was sent straight to the lead with Jamie Spencer intent on ditching customary hold-up tactics and raced comfortably there. Tackled by the 4-6 favourite and last year’s G2 runner-up Sloane Avenue (Candy Ride {Arg}) ALLOWANCE RESULT: in the straight, the 11-4 second favourite--whose dam is a half to 2nd-CGN, €29,000, 2-24, 3yo, 8f (AWT), 1:36.25, st. the Irish 2000 Guineas hero and sire Turtle Island (Ire)--kept TOLIMAN (GB) (g, 3, Hat Trick {Jpn}--Tell It As It Is {MSW & pulling out more to repel that challenge and prevail by a length. GSP-Can, $383,876}, by Chester House) Lifetime Record: 8 Sales history: 125,000gns Wlg ‘09 TATFOA. Lifetime Record: starts, 3 wins, 5 places, €61,950. O-Robert Ng; B-Ecurie MGSW-Eng, 27-6-5-2, $467,690. Video, sponsored by Peregrine SAS (GB); T-Alduino & Giuseppe Botti. Fasig-Tipton. O-Seasons Holidays; B-Azienda Agricola Mediterranea (IRE); T-Roger Charlton.

2nd-LIN, £5,000, Mdn, 2-24, 3yo/up, 7f (AWT), 1:24.15, st. NEW ADMIN SYSTEM FOR HRI +MUKAABRA (GB) (f, 3, Iffraaj {GB}--Peace Signal, by Time for a Ireland will on Monday launch its new Racing Change), sent off the 8-11 favourite, broke alertly before being Administration System, which is designed to make racing anchored behind the leading trio. Three-wide on the home turn, administration easier for owners, trainers, jockeys and jockeys the 70,000gns TAOCT yearling had lengths to make up on agents. The RAS will integrate the current online accounts and Merhoob (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) once straightened up but allow users to manage registrations, entries, declarations and delivered a telling surge to cut down that rival in the final yards financial transactions from any mobile device. and register an ultimately cozy half-length win. The dam, who is Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of HRI, said, “HRI has custom a half to the outstanding Peintre Celebre from the Wildenstein built a unique horse racing administration system using our own dynasty of the champion Pawneese (Ire), has a 2-year-old filly by in-house racing and IT expertise in partnership with a leading Harbour Watch (Ire) and a yearling filly by Nathaniel (Ire). software development company, Etain. The feedback has been Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $4,535. Video, sponsored by very positive and we are confident that the transition will be Fasig-Tipton. both easy and efficient for our clients. The new RAS system is a O-Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum; B-Biddestone Stud (GB); huge step forward and is fit for purpose for the 21st century.” T-James Tate. TDN EUROPE/INTERNATIONAL • PAGE 4 of 6 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2016

Trainer Mike de Kock, who has won this race three times since 2007, saddles two: Zahee (NZ) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and Johann Strauss (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}). Johann Strauss makes his seasonal debut and was last seen finishing third in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on Super Saturday last year, while Zahee was second to Ghaamer (Hard Spun) in last weekend’s Listed HH The President Cup going 1400 metres at Abu Dhabi. Chrome Looks To Shine In The Desert cont. from p1 “It looks a good renewal but both ours are fit and well,” said Godolphin’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Marking, second only to De Kock. “Zahee was much better last time having disappointed champion sprinter Runhappy (Super Saver) in the GI Malibu S. at on his return, whereas Johann Strauss is very talented but has Santa Anita Dec. 26, lines up in the third race on the card, a not been straightforward to train. He is ready for a run but will 1200 metre handicap where he carries co-top weight of 132 improve from it.” pounds. It was jockey James Doyle who was thrown from Marking two weeks ago but he is replaced this time by William Buick, having recently undergone appendicitis surgery. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said, “It was just unfortunate the last time. Hopefully all goes smoothly this week. If he runs well, we are Thursday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 8:45 p.m. (11:45 a.m. EST) hoping to go straight to the big night.” ZABEEL MILE SPONSORED BY AL NABOODAH CONSTRUCTION GROUP-G2, $250,000 (£178,208/€226,870), 3yo/up, 1600mT PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT 1 Bossy Guest (Ire) Medicean (GB) Smullen Channon 125 Thursday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 9:55 p.m. (12:55 p.m. EST) 2 Harry’s Son (Aus) Haradasun (Aus) Mullen Lafferty 125 TRANS GULF ELECTROMECHANICAL TROPHY, $150,000 (£107,797/ 3 Zahee (NZ) Dylan Thomas (Ire) Smith de Kock 125 €136,122), NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 2000m 4 Safety Check (Ire) Dubawi (Ire) Buick Appleby 130 PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT 5 Johann Strauss (GB) High Chaparral (Ire) Soumillon de Kock 125 1 California Chrome Lucky Pulpit Espinoza Sherman 132 6 Forjatt (Ire) Iffraaj (GB) Hayes Selvaratnam 125 2 El Tren (Ire) Danehill Dancer (Ire) Hayes Attwater 117 7 Championship (Ire) Exceed and Excel (Aus) Tylicki bin Harmash125 3 Good Contact Teofilo (Ire) Greatrex bin Suroor 117 8 Ghaamer Hard Spun Hanagan Al Raihe 125 4 Hunting Ground Street Cry (Ire) Barzalona bin Ghadayer 117 9 Big Baz (Ire) Pivotal (GB) Dwyer Muir 125 5 Pit Stop (Ire) Iffraaj (GB) Ffrench bin Ghadayer 117 10 Fanciful Angel (Ire) Dark Angel (Ire) O’Neill Botti 125 6 Plantagenet (Spa) Trade Fair (GB) Mullen Petersen 117 Click here for the AmWest PPs. 7 Storm Belt More Than Ready Hitchcott Watson 117 8 Success Story (Kor) Peace Rules O’Shea Min 117 Click here for the AmWest PPs.

South Africa’s Newest Son cont. from p1 While all runners were on equal weights in the Al Fahidi Fort, Harry’s Son this time gets five pounds from Safety Check, who attempts to defend his title here. The 5-year-old is certainly a horse for the course, having won five straight over the Meydan turf–with two winless tries in Britain over the summer in between–and trainer Charlie Appleby reported the chestnut to be in fine fettle. “We said we thought Safety Check was a better horse this year and he won the Al Fahidi Fort well,” said Appleby. “He has pleased us since that win and seems in great form. The 1600 metres is as far as he wants to go but the trip is not a problem around Meydan, as he showed winning the Zabeel Mile last year. The style of racing really suits him at Meydan and he looks Safety Check leads home Harry’s Son in last month’s G2 Al Fahidi Fort to have a major chance.” DRC/Andrew Watkins TDN EUROPE/INTERNATIONAL • PAGE 5 of 6 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2016

GOLDEN SHAHEEN HOPES FOR DOMINEER AUSTRALIAN-BRED WINNERS by Alan Carasso IN HONG KONG: The connections of Domineer (GB) (Shamardal) are hopeful Mr Stunning (Aus), g, 3, Exceed and Excel (Aus)--With Fervour, for an invitation to the G1 Mar. 26 after by Dayjur. Sha Tin, 2-24, Hcp. (A$143k), 1200mT, 1:11.09. the 6-year-old gelding took out the Class 1 Happy Valley Trophy B-Makybe Racing & Breeding. *A$110,000 Wlg ‘13 INGGSW; H. for the second consecutive season Wednesday evening at the NZ$250,000 Ylg ‘14 NZBPRE. **Mr Stunning had turned in some city oval. very promising trials ahead of his career debut going 1000 Taking full advantage of the three hole, Zac Purton bounced metres of this city course Feb. 3 and he turned in one of the the $71 (6-1) chance most memorable performances in recent memory when coming from a seemingly impossible position in the final 300 metres to away and into a get home first (VIDEO). The gelding, who topped the 2013 Inglis forward position and Great Southern Weanling Sale and fetched a quarter-million wanted to fire up, dollars at the NZB Premier Yearling Sale, was crushed into $14 but settled down in (2-5) favoritism as the 133-pound topweight in a Class 4 over a the box seat from metric six panels Wednesday and made light work of third. Pulled out overmatched foes. Fast away from his low draw, Mr Stunning three wide at the led for the opening exchanges before easing back into the head of the lane, the perfect spot from third over a track that was playing kind to speed all night long. Poised off heels at the entrance to the big-bodied bay hit straight, Mr Stunning was guided down to the inside, quickened the front going well a up noticeably to hit the front better than a furlong from home Domineer | HKJC photo furlong from the and was not fully extended to score by 2 3/4 convincing lengths wire and lengthened (VIDEO). With Fervour, a daughter of US MGISW and 1985 away to score by two lengths as the 133-pound top weight in victrix Fran’s Valentine and therefore a half- the field of 11 (VIDEO). sister to the popular gray galloper and MGISW With Anticipation “He’s done his job and now we’ll see if we get an invite for the (Relaunch), was sold for 65,000gns at Tattersalls December in Dubai Golden Shaheen and if we do I’ll take him,” said winning 2003 and was exported to Australia. She was subsequently let go for A$6,000 at the Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale in 2013 trainer Caspar Fownes. “He was entered so we’ll see what barren to Purrealist (Aus) and passed away 10 days after foaling happens. I’m delighted with that, it’s great to come back a filly by Mossman (Aus) in October 2014. @EquinealTDN carrying top weight and win it again.” Five of seven of Domineer’s career victories have come at Happy Valley, the other two over the all-weather track at Sha Saturday, Caulfield, Australia, post time: 4:45 p.m. (12:45 a.m. EST) Tin, including a success in 2015 in which he covered six furlongs LADBROKES BLUE DIAMOND S.-G1, A$1,500,000 (£772,125/ in 1:07.45. €982,446), 2yo, 1200mT PPHORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT “He’s a nice dirt horse and he’s a very good Happy Valley 1 Hell Of An Effort (Aus) Reward For Effort (Aus) Nolen Moody 124 horse but we’ve run out of options now,” said Fownes. “I’d like 3 Miss Nymeria (Aus) Stryker (Aus) Maloney Griffiths 120 4 Hey Doc (Aus) Duporth (Aus) Bosson McEvoy 124 to see him race ante-clockwise because he always has a 5 Samara Dancer (NZ) Hinchinbrook (Aus) Tourneur Stokes 120 tendency to hang, so going the other direction [in Dubai] might 6 Concealer (Aus) Nicconi (Aus) Zahra McEvoy 120 be alright, he should appreciate that. He’s a big, strong horse 7 Zamzam (Aus) Redoute’s Choice (Aus) Hall Hyes/Dbernig 120 8 Valliano (Aus) Equiano (Fr) Lane Hyes/Dbernig 124 and it was a good effort. He won convincingly today, carrying 9 Power Trip (Aus) Hard Spun Mott McArdle 124 133 pounds.” 10 Star Turn (Aus) Star Witness (Aus) Dunn Hawkeses 124 12 Highland Beat (Aus) Exceed and Excel (Aus) Currie Hyes/Dbernig 124 Produced by the Danehill mare Mania (Ire), Domineer cost 13 Extreme Choice (Aus) Not A Single Doubt (Aus) Newitt Price 124 representatives of the Hong Kong Jockey Club €210,000 when 14 China Dream (Aus) Snitzel (Aus) Boss Price 124 part of The Castlebridge Consignment at the Arqana August Sale 15 Areti (Aus) Street Sense Williams Griffiths 120 16 Sweet Sherry (Aus) Bel Esprit (Aus) Winks Stanley 120 in 2011. He was reoffered at the Hong Kong International Sale in 17 Flying Artie (Aus) Artie Schiller Oliver Price 124 March 2013, fetching a final bid of HK$5 million 19 Kinetic Design (Aus) Master Of Design (Aus) Payne Webb 120 (£413,034/€500,000). This year’s HKIS is set for Friday, Mar. 18. Also Eligible: 18 Selenia (Aus) Not A Single Doubt (Aus) McNeil Griffiths 120 2 Seaburge (Aus) Sebring (Aus) No rider Hyes/Dbernig 124 11 Revolving Door (Aus) Sebring (Aus) No rider McDonald 124 TDN EUROPE/INTERNATIONAL • PAGE 6 of 6 • THETDN.COM THURSDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2016

Saturday, Randwick, Australia, post time: 4:25 p.m. (12:25 a.m. EST) PRECISE AIR CHIPPING NORTON S.-G1, A$600,000 (£309,623/ €391,209), 3yo/up, 1600mT PPHORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT 1 Dibayani (Ire) Shamardal Shinn Hyes/Dbernig 130 2 Gust Of Wind (NZ) Darci Brahma (NZ) Avdulla Sargent 125 3 Grand Marshal (GB) Dansili (GB) Collett Waller 130 4 Mongolian Khan (Aus) Hly Rman Emperor (Ire) McEvoy Baker 130 5 Preferment (NZ) Zabeel (NZ) Berry Waller 130 6 Storm The Stars K Sea The Stars Angland Waller 129 7 Hartnell (GB) Authorized (Ire) McDonald O’Shea 130 8 Winx (Aus) Street Cry (Ire) Bowman Waller 125 9 Centre Pivot (Aus) More Than Ready Costin Robl 130 10 Hauraki (Aus) Reset (Aus) Clipperton O’Shea 130 11 Magic Hurricane (Ire) Hurricane Run (Ire) Buick O’Shea 130 12 Who Sht Thebrman (NZ) Yamanin Vital (NZ) Reith Waller 130

Saturday, Caulfield, Australia, post time: 4:05 p.m. (12:05 a.m. EST) ITALKTRAVEL FUTURITY S.-G1, A$500,000 (£256,753/ €325,714), 3yo/up, 1400mT PPHORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER 1 Politeness (Aus) Street Sense Dunn Smerdon 2 Boban (Aus) Bernardini G Schofield Waller 3 Suavito (Aus) Thorn Park (Aus) Currie Blackiston 4 Hucklebuck (Aus) Elvstroem (Aus) Tourneur Stokes 5 Stratum Star (Aus) Stratum (Aus) Zahra Weir 6 Scissor Kick (Aus) Redoute’s Choice (Aus) Williams Messara 7 Entirely Platinum (NZ) Pentire (GB) Winks Hawkeses 8 Rebel Dane (Aus) California Dane (Aus) Oliver Portelli 9 Turn Me Loose (NZ) Iffraaj (GB) Bosson Baker 10 Trust In A Gust (Aus) Keep The Faith (Aus) Rawiller Weir 11 The United States (Ire) Galileo (Ire) Payne Hickmott All carry 130 pounds bar Suavito and Politeness, 125 pounds.

Saturday, Caulfield, Australia, post time: 5:22 p.m. (1:22 a.m. EST) CLAMMS SEAFOOD OAKLEIGH PLATE-G1, A$500,000 (£256,753/ €325,714), 3yo/up, 1100mT PPHORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT 1 Gregers (Aus) Hard Spun Williams Hyes/Dbernig 117 2 Heatherly (Aus) Lonhro (Aus) Mallyon Ellerton/Zahra 110 3 Atmospherical (Aus) Northern Meteor (Aus) Payne Smerdon 114 4 Keen Array (Aus) Bel Esprit (Aus) Baster Hyes/Dbernig 110 5 Fell Swoop (Aus) Not A Single Doubt (Aus) G Schofield Dale 117 7 Fast ‘N’ Rocking (Aus) Fastnet Rock (Aus) Dunn Hyes/Dbernig 124 8 Bounding (Aus) Lonhro (Aus) Zahra Snowdens 122 9 Pittsburgh Flyer (Aus) Street Cry (Ire) McNeil Hopes 114 10 Griante (Aus) Good Journey Coffey Brideoake 114 12 The Quarterback (Aus) Street Boss Currie Griffiths 116 13 Kuro (NZ) Denman (Aus) Stackhouse Freedmans 117 14 Eclair Choice (Aus) California Dane (Aus) Tourneur Stokes 123 15 Smokin’ Joey (Aus) Encosta de Lago (Aus) Mott Hunter 124 17 Flamberge (Aus) Exceed and Excel (Aus) Lane Moody 128 18 Headwater (Aus) Exceed and Excel (Aus) Moloney Hawkeses 110 19 Lord Of The Sky (Aus) Danerich (Aus) Oliver Laing 123 20 Vezalay (Aus) Shamardal Boss Corstens 114 21 Dothraki (Aus) Mossman (Aus) Arnold Snowdens 124 Also Eligible: 16 Reldas (Aus) Testa Rossa (Aus) No rider Smerdon 114 11 Swinging Arms (Aus) Planchet (Aus) Bayliss Trenowden 114 6 Secret Agenda (Aus) Not A Single Doubt (Aus) Newitt Price 110