April, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Runhappy Colt Runs to Rising Stardom in Hot Springs

Following Sea (Runhappy) took the trip down to Hot Springs with his GI Arkansas Derby-bound stablemates for this lucrative maiden test and proved more than up for the task with a dominant debut victory, earning 'TDN Rising Star' honors. A $230,000 in utero purchase by Spendthrift Farm at the 2017 KEENOV sale, the bay crossed the line second behind stablemate and subsequent GI Runhappy Santa Anita fourth Defunded (Dialed In) on debut at Santa Anita Mar. 6, but he was demoted to third by the stewards for interference. Receiving Lasix for the first time here, the overwhelming 1-2 favorite bounded out to a clear lead, zipping through early splits of :21.89 and :45.18. Showing the way into the lane, Following Sea cruised further clear under a hand ride from Joel Rosario to win as he pleased by 5 3/4 lengths. Happymac finished second for a Runhappy exacta.

Following Sea's stakes-winning dam Quick Flip (Speightstown) is a half-sister to the Baffert-trained SW & MGSP Qahira (Cairo Prince) and SW Stormin' Lyon (Storm Boot). The first of her six foals is the SP mare Inspeightof (Orb). Quick Flip's recent produce includes a 2-year-old Into Mischief filly, purchased by Mike Ryan for $450,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Select Sale, and a 2021 Hard Spun colt born on St. Patrick's Day.

4th-Oaklawn, $93,000, Msw, 4-10, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.92, ft,
5 3/4 lengths.
FOLLOWING SEA, c, 3, Runhappy
                1st Dam: Quick Flip (SW), by Speightstown
                2nd Dam: Motel Lass, by Bates Motel
                3rd Dam: Devil's Lass, by Devil's Bag
Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $64,920. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or the VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Runhappy Colt Runs to Rising Stardom in Hot Springs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Ward Works Like The King On Turf As Part Of Kentucky Derby Preparations

M Racing Group's Like the King, winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on the all-weather surface at Turfway Park on March 27, worked six furlongs over a Keeneland turf course labeled firm in 1:16 Saturday morning in Lexington, Ky.

The work was the first of three at Keeneland that trainer Wesley Ward has scheduled for the son of Palace Malice in preparation for the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

With jockey Drayden Van Dyke aboard, Like the King started far back of workmates Outadore and After Five, passing the former and making up five lengths on the latter.

“I wanted to make sure (Like the King) got a lot out of it today,” Ward said. “Those were two good horses in front of him. Outadore was third in the Breeders' Cup (Juvenile Turf-G1 Presented by Coolmore America) and After Five was second in the Futurity (G3) at Belmont. He got a good blow today.”

Ward said he told Van Dyke's agent, Gary Stevens, “that we know he likes the turf.”

“I wanted Drayden on him today because it is only his second time on him. (Like the King's) next two works will be on the main track with Julio (Garcia) with the last one on Sunday (April 25) if the weather cooperates.”

Van Dyke rode Like the King in the Jeff Ruby and is to ride the colt in the Kentucky Derby.

Like the King, who is third on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 104 points, is scheduled to ship to Churchill after his final work here and gallop over the main track there.

The post Ward Works Like The King On Turf As Part Of Kentucky Derby Preparations appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Operator Of Oregon’s Grants Pass To Seek Approval For Historical Horse Racing Machines

Travis Boersma, who brought racing back to Oregon at Grants Pass after the closure of the state's main racetrack, Portland Meadows, has plans to install 250 historical horse racing terminals in an adjoining restaurant and entertainment center at the Josephine County Fairgrounds in the southern Oregon town of about 35,000.

Boersma's plans were detailed in a recent article covering the state's gambling industry in the Oregonian's website, www.oregonelive.com.

The entertainment center, currently under construction, is named The Flying Lark in honor of one of the state's most famous Thoroughbred who raced in the late 1960s. Grants Pass announced plans for the entertainment center last year but did not indicate it would include historical horse racing.

A spokesperson for Oregon Gov. Kate Brown told oregonlive.com the governor will defer to the Oregon Racing Commission to determine whether or not the machines fit the definition of pari-mutuel wagering and, thus, are legal. Native American tribes, whose gaming revenue has flatelined over the last decade as the state lottery has grown, is opposed to the installation of HHR machines as are problem gambling organizations.

Grand National 2021: Where they finished in the Aintree showpiece

Where the 40-strong field finished in the 2021 Aintree Grand National as Rachael Blackmore wins on Minella Times.

Source of original post