February, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Verifying ‘Checks’ All Boxes In Hot Renewal of Rebel

For all he's accomplished in a relatively short period of time, trainer Brad Cox yet to unsaddle a winner of the third leg of Oaklawn's 3-year-old series, the $1-million GII Rebel S. But he'll have two strong chances to right that wrong in an extremely contentious renewal Saturday afternoon.

Verifying (Justify), a half-brother to champion Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute), rounded out the exacta behind Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) in a sloppy-track running of the GI Champagne S. at Aqueduct Oct. 1 and never truly threatened in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile after getting pinched back at the break. The $775,000 Keeneland September purchase could not have been more impressive in a first-level allowance going a mile on sophomore debut here Jan. 14, as he widened through the short stretch to treat Gun Pilot (Gun Runner) to a 5 1/4-length beating.

The 2-1 morning-line favorite figures to be tested by stablemate Giant Mischief (Into Mischief), who makes his seasonal debut off a remarkable runner-up effort in the Springboard Mile in December. A Keeneland allowance winner sprinting in his prior appearance, the bay made a mess of the break and trailed, then made a quick, wide move on the turn before falling just short as the odds-on favorite.

“I expected him to run big that night and he did,” Cox said. “I never expected him to break like that. Just rocked back a step right before they popped him. He's a good horse as well. We're looking forward to giving him another run around two turns.”

A Rebel 'yell' for several of the remaining nine entrants would not come as a surprise. Red Route One (Gun Runner) raced detached from the rest of the field in the GIII Southwest S., but rallied strongly over a rain-affected strip he may not have loved to be second to tearaway winner 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo).

Reincarnate (Good Magic) ships in from California and is to be saddled for the first time by Tim Yakteen. A maiden winner at fourth asking at Del Mar in November, he more or less made all the running in the GIII Sham S. Jan. 8, holding off next-out GIII Robert B. Lewis S. hero Newgate (Into Mischief) by a neck.

And a case can even be made for Gun Pilot, who franked the form of the Verfying allowance with a two-length success Feb. 4 in which he overcame some trouble on the turn to best Bourbon Bash (City of Light). Trainer Steve Asmussen is a four-time winner of the Rebel.

A total of 100 points (50-20-15-10-5) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby are up for grabs Saturday.

Wet Paint Can Keep Ball Rolling in Honeybee

Godolphin's Wet Paint (Blame), undefeated in a pair of starts going two turns on dirt, looks to negotiate the hike into graded stakes company as the one to beat in the GIII Honeybee S.

Like her stable companion Giant Mischief, Wet Paint broke her maiden at Indiana Grand last fall and, following an allowance second going a mile on the Turfway all-weather in December, finished with good energy to defeat the re-opposing Taxed (Collected) and Defining Purpose (Cross Traffic) in the Jan. 28 Martha Washington S.

Olivia Twist (Mshawish) is a fair bet to take tons of action off what feels a very overlaid morning line of 15-1. A $230,000 OBS June acquistion, the bay took her two-turn bow by 15 lengths at Remington Nov. 21 and was the two-length winner of the Dec. 17 Trapeze S. in Oklahoma City. The 21-10 second pick in the Martha Washington, she gave way readily after six furlongs over a wet-fast track and deserves the benefit of the doubt, particularly if underbet.

The post Verifying ‘Checks’ All Boxes In Hot Renewal of Rebel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Three Featured Milliners Named for Kentucky Derby 149

Churchill Downs announced Friday that three renowned and recognizable hat designers will have the distinction of being named as a featured milliner of the 149^th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. From master milliners of classic creations to celebrity stylists and fresh fascinators, this year's collection of illustrious designers can top off any Derby ensemble.

Christine Moore returns for the sixth consecutive year of bringing fashion's finest millinery creations to the Derby. Moore was the first to earn the distinction of featured milliner of the Kentucky Derby in 2018. Her iconic yet highly wearable designs have become a staple at racetracks across the country and have been worn by Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez and Kate Upton and showcased on Nashville, The Carrie Diaries and Gossip Girl. Moore's New York-based business, Christine A. Moore Millinery, is known for fine finishing work on her popular hats for women and men. Her Spring 2023 collection can be found at www.camhats.com.

Master Milliner Jenny Pfanenstiel also returns as a four-time featured milliner in 2023. World-renowned for her skill of sculpting hats by hand using high-quality and rare materials from across the globe, Pfanenstiel combines her unique process with centuries-old techniques to produce one-of-a-kind show-stopping creations for all seasons and occasions. Her hats have adorned the heads of Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Madonna among other celebrities and dignitaries. Owner of Formé Millinery, her hats and fascinators for women and men can be purchased year-round at the Formé Millinery Hat Shop in downtown Louisville, specialty boutiques around the world and at www.formemillinery.com.

This year introduces The Hat Girls as the new featured milliner for Kentucky Derby 149. Louisville natives Kate Smith and Rachel Bell create upscale headwear that is often described as wearable art. From lifelong friends to business partners and creative collaborators, the duo blended their love of fashion, eye for design and marketing flair to develop The Hat Girls where they channel their life's passion into creating extravagant millinery pieces that meet the needs of multiple demographics. Their special occasion and Derby creations can be shopped online at www.thehatgirls.com or seasonally at their retail storefront in Louisville, Kentucky.

“The act of wearing a hat to the Kentucky Derby is one of our most cherished living traditions,” said Casey Ramage, vice president of marketing and partnerships for Churchill Downs. “We're fortunate to partner with these exceptional milliners and notable designers who both elevate the craft and invigorate the Derby with color, style and beauty. Fashion of the Kentucky Derby has become a sport in itself and is an integral part of the spectacle and entertainment associated with this most thrilling event.”

To learn more about this year's featured milliners of the Kentucky Derby, visit www.kentuckyderby.com/party/derby-party/derby-fashion/hats. When planning an outfit for Kentucky Derby 149, you can find fashion tips to inspire your hat-to-toe look at www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/what-to-wear.

About the Kentucky Derby

The $3 million Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds is the oldest continually-held major sporting event in the United States and the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown series. Also known as the “The Run for the Roses,” “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” and “America's Race,” the Kentucky Derby is the most attended horse race in the nation.

The post Three Featured Milliners Named for Kentucky Derby 149 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Turf Paradise Restricts Horse Movement Over EHV-1 Positive

Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Ariz., has restricted horse movement from the backside until further notice, according to an alert posted to the Equine Disease Communication Center by the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Several tracks have also implemented shipping restrictions against horses from Turf Paradise, including Laurel Park and Santa Anita Park.

An index case of Equine Herpesvirus was found in a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding at the track, which developed clinical signs of illness (hindlimb ataxia, weakness, difficulty rising / maintaining a standing posture) on Feb. 14, 2023, with positive test results reported out on Feb. 18 for EHV-1 variant D752.

As a result, 36 horses from barns C9 and C8W were quarantined. Biosecurity protocols were implemented including twice daily temperature monitoring of all horses in the quarantined barns, movement controls, and area disinfection.

A second horse, a 4-year-old Thoroughbred filly, was reported in Barn K6 to be ill. This horse had raced on Feb. 18 and was claimed from barn D9. Clinical signs included depressed attitude, fever, and leaning on the stall wall. This horse was referred to a Phoenix-area equine hospital for diagnostics and treatment.

Because of the close proximity to the confirmed case, this was treated as a suspect EHV-1 case until test results were known and barns K6 and K5E as well as D9 and D9W were placed under quarantine. Test results of the second horse came back negative for EHV-1.

Repeat serial testing of the index case came back negative on Feb. 23 and the horse is recovering.

There are nine strains of equine herpesvirus on record, and many horses are exposed to some form of EHV with no serious side effects or symptoms. Three strains are considered serious health risks, including EHV-1, which may present with fever and respiratory symptoms and can also carry neurological symptoms and a risk of death. Symptoms of the neurologic form of EHV-1 include fever and nasal discharge, followed by lack of coordination, lethargy, head tilt, and inability to balance or stand. EHV-1 is highly contagious and may be transmitted through contaminated equipment, contact between horses, and on clothing or hands of humans working with sick horses. Veterinarians aren't sure how long the virus can survive in the environment, or how well it travels through the air. The Paulick Report compiled a list of frequently-asked questions about EHV-1 during an outbreak at Sunland Park in 2016.

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Styles That Make a Statement: Churchill Downs Names Featured Milliners for Kentucky Derby

Churchill Downs named three renowned and recognizable hat designers as a featured milliner of the 149th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. From master milliners of classic creations to celebrity stylists and fresh fascinators, this year’s collection of illustrious designers can top off any Derby ensemble.