PATH to PROMINENCE Ballydoyle Four Strong... WILD THING
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2010 For information about TDN, call 732-747-8060. FEATURE PRESENTATION • G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. WILD THING Godolphin may have been off the scoresheet in most of the British Classics of late, but there is no arguing with their prowess in the G1 St Leger, and Rewilding (GB) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) is a warm order to add a sixth renewal today. Third in the June 5 G1 Epsom Derby after being transferred from the Andre Fabre academy, he returned from a planned break to put Midas Touch (GB) (Gali- leo {Ire}) to the sword in PATH TO PROMINENCE York's G2 Great Voltigeur S. Jessica Harrington may not be a name familiar with last time Aug. 17, and con- the flat fraternity, but the County Kildare conditioner is nections are in confident well known for her exploits in the jumping sphere, and mood. AThere has been a very the unbeaten Pathfork (Dis- slight improvement with his torted Humor) can widen condition since he won at her influence in today's York, but, if he runs as well Midas Touch G1 Vincent O'Brien National as he did there, then I think Inpho S. at The Curragh. Impres- that he can win,@ Mahmood sive when scoring over Al Zarooni commented. AIdeally, he would prefer some course and distance in a cut underfoot. He works better in the mornings on the strong maiden July 18, he gallops when they are on the softer side, but his form accounted for Glor Na Mara in Britain and France shows that he is quite versatile when it comes to the ground. Frankie Dettori said that Pathfork (Ire) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) Rewilding needs time in his races to get into his Inpho and three re-opposing rivals in the Aug. 21 G2 Futurity rhythm, and a strong pace will help him. You never S. with apparent ease. AHe worked well on Tuesday, know what is going to happen, but it will be a very and I have been delighted with him since he won the good horse that beats him.@ Cont. p3 Futurity,@ commented his trainer, who handled the great chaser Moscow Flyer (Ire). AThe fact that he won there made the call about supplementing him for this pretty easy. I haven't looked beyond The Curragh, and we=ll take it one step at a time.@ Ballydoyle Four Strong... Aidan O'Brien, who has few peers when it comes to dominating his country's top-flight juvenile contests, is looking for an eighth renewal since 1996. O=Brien is strong in numbers once more, but Zoffany (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) is the clear-cut number one contender from Ballydoyle. He bids to emulate Danehill Dancer (Ire) (Danehill), One Cool Cat (Storm Cat), George Washing- ton (Ire) (Danehill) and Mastercraftsman (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) in adding this to his success in the G1 Phoenix S. over six furlongs here last time Aug. 8. It was Glor Na Mara who was again the victim in that contest, with Zoffany's late swoop taking him a half- length clear at the line. That margin may have flattered the runner-up, as Johnny Murtagh had been trapped behind rivals until late on. Cont. p2 www.coolmore.com TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 9/11/10 • PAGE 2 of 23 • thoroughbreddailynews.com Vincent O=Brien National S. cont. Zoffany is backed up by stablemates Samuel Morse (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), High Ruler (Mr. Greeley) and Rudolf Valentino (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who were third, fourth and fifth, respectively, behind Pathfork in the Futurity last time. AZoffany looks like he's our best two-year-old, he=s very slick and very quick and has got a very good chance,@ said Johnny Murtagh of the horse who appears to have been the prime rea- son for him staying in Ireland and not making the trip to Doncaster. Godolphin captured this in 2004 with Dubawi (Ire), and it may be signif- Samuel Morse icant that they have sup- Inpho plemented Washington Singer S. winner Janood (Ire) (Medicean {GB}). AIt is a big step up for Janood from winning a listed race, but he has done nothing wrong in both of his starts and we need to find out how good he is,@ Saeed bin Suroor said. AHe has been working very well and is an improving colt. He is taking on some of the best two-year-olds around, but I am hopeful that he can run a nice race.@ It is rare to see Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Darley silks these days, but Casamento (Ire) (Shamardal) car- ries the famed maroon-and-white after a smart winning debut over this trip at Tipperary Aug. 26. AHe is in very good form, and he has come on a fair bit for his run at Tipperary,@ trainer Mick Halford said. AIt is a huge step up in class for him, but he is a horse that we have liked from the beginning and I am optimistic that he=ll run well. There are some very good horses in the line-up, but we entered him for the race in April and he has progressed well all season. He was impressive at Tipperary and, while I wouldn=t like to see the ground turning soft, he won=t mind an ease and yielding ground should be fine for him.@ 859-873-7270 • www.airdriestud.com TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 9/11/10 • PAGE 3 of 23 • thoroughbreddailynews.com St Leger S. cont. O’Brien Shooting for ‘Tree’ Since ‘01... Aidan O'Brien has garnered two further editions of the St Leger since Milan (GB) started the ball rolling in 2001, and is represented this year by the Voltigeur second and third Midas Touch and Joshua Tree (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Beaten four and 2 1/4 lengths, respec- tively, by Rewilding on that occasion, they have ground to make up, but the former has always looked in need of extended distances, while last year=s G2 Royal Lodge S. winner Joshua Tree was having his first run in 11 months there. Midas Touch is reunited with Colm O'Donoghue, who partnered him when fifth in the Epsom Derby and a half-length runner-up to Cape Blanco (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Irish equivalent at The Curragh June 27. ABoth of them ran very well at York, and it was Joshua Tree=s first run in a long time, so we were delighted with his run. He seems to be in good form since,@ the Ballydoyle conditioner said. The Elite Racing Club=s homebred Dandino (GB) (Dansili {GB}) is bidding to provide trainer James Given with a first Classic success, and warmed up for this with a respect- able first foray into pattern company when second in Goodwood's G3 Gordon S. last time July 27. AHe's done incredibly well since Goodwood, and I wouldn=t have changed a single day in between,@ his conditioner said. AHe has physically developed well and is 10 pounds heavier now than going into Goodwood.@ Arctic Cosmos (North Light {Ire}), who is trained by John Gosden for his wife Rachel Hood and fellow-owner Robin Geffen, has 1 1/4 lengths to find with Dandino A # will distinguish first-time stakes-winners, a @ will after finishing third in the Gordon, and this trip will help indicate first-time graded stakes-winners, a s will in that respect. AIt=s a phenomenal race and a privilege denote a first-time Grade/Group 1 winner, a + will first- to have a horse taking part in it,@ Gosden said. AHe's a time starters, an (S) will be used for state-bred races, a progressive horse, any rain will suit and he=ll stay the (C) will be used for maiden-claiming races and an (R) trip. The big, galloping track on Town Moor will suit will be used for other restricted races. Purses for Cana- more than Goodwood.@ Sir Michael Stoute finally ended dian races are in Canadian dollars. his long drought in this race with Conduit (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) two years ago, and relies on Khalid Abdullah's June 18 G3 Queen=s Vase third Total Com- Thoroughbred Daily News is: mand (GB) (Sadler's Wells), who needs to rebound from Barry Weisbord President/Co-Publisher a disappointing ninth of 10 in the Voltigeur. AHis prepa- Sue Finley Vice President/Co-Publisher ration for the Voltigeur went badly, we felt he badly Vicki Forbes Director of Customer Services needed the race,@ Stoute told PA Sport. AHe had a skin Andy Belfiore Editor-in-Chief Alycia Borer Director of Advertising infection and a joint infection, and he was getting Jessica Martini Senior Editor messed around. The ground was probably quick enough Alan Carasso Associate Editor for him at York, too. Everything has gone smoothly Marie Kizenko Associate Editor since then, and we have done what we wanted with Christina Bossinakis Associate Editor him.@ Lucas Marquardt Writer/Reporter Steve Sherack Writer/Reporter Brian DiDonato Writer/Reporter Lia Kusch Senior Advertising Designer You can also pick up a copy of the TDN Sarah K. Andrew Advertising Asst/Director of Distribution today at the Tom Rosati Advertising Assistant Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Robert Williams Director of IT/Webmaster Gregg Casillo Database Analyst/Programming Specialist Gary King Marketing Manager P TDN HEADLINE NEWS • 9/11/10 • PAGE 4 of 23 • thoroughbreddailynews.com Saturday, The Curragh, Ireland, post time: 3:10 p.m. BOYLESPORTS.COM VINCENT O'BRIEN NATIONAL S.-G1, €200,000, 2yo, c/f, 7fT SC PP HORSE OWNER BREEDER TRAINER/JOCKEY 1 5 A Word Apart (Ire) Moyglare Stud Farm Moyglare Stud Farm Weld (Desert Style {Ire}--Lady Luck {Ire}, by Kris {GB}) Smullen 2 4 Casamento (Ire) Sheikh Mohammed D & J Cantillon & C & K Canning Halford (Shamardal--Wedding Gift {Fr}, by Always Fair) McDonogh 3 6 Glor Na Mara (Ire) Mrs J S Bolger J S Bolger Bolger (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}--Sister Angelina, by Saint Ballado) Manning 4 1 High Ruler Michael Tabor Southern Bloodstock A O'Brien (Mr.