News | Horse Racing Free Tips

Oaks Runner-Up Swiss Skydiver ’50-50′ To Join Preakness Field

Trainer Ken McPeek is considering racing talented 3-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver against males for the second time this season, reports the Daily Racing Form. She was second to Art Collector earlier this year in the G2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, and after finishing second in the G1 Kentucky Oaks, Swiss Skydiver may take on male rivals once again in the G1 Preakness Stakes on Oct. 3.

The decision hinges on which other 3-year-olds plan to show up Pimlico, McPeek said. Currently expected to be in the starting gate are Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, Art Collector, Pneumatic, and Mr. Big News, while Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law may pass on the Preakness to wait for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Swiss Skydiver's major goal will be the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland, so other next-race options include the G1 Spinster at Keeneland on Oct. 4, or even the G1 QEII Challenge Cup on Keeneland's turf course on Oct. 10.

“I'd say we're maybe 50-50 at this point,” McPeek told drf.com. “We'd have to run against Midnight Bisou in the Spinster, and trying turf for the first time obviously would be outside the box… I mean, I'm still not sure I want to run against the very best 3-year-old colts right now, especially Tiz the Law. We've got a very interesting decision to make.”

$100,000 Trainer Bonus Returns For Pimlico’s Preakness Weekend

For the fourth consecutive year, the Maryland Jockey Club is offering the $100,000 Sentient Jet Trainer Bonus to horsemen that accumulate the most points during stakes races over Preakness weekend, Oct. 1-3 at Pimlico Race Course.

Led by the 145th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), presented this year as the final jewel in a refashioned Triple Crown and a “Win and You”re In” qualifier for the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), a total of 15 Thoroughbred stakes, nine graded, worth $3.35 million will be contested over three days.

Trainers who run a minimum of five horses in the 15 stakes races during Preakness weekend will be eligible for bonus money, with $50,000 going to the trainer with the most points, $25,000 for second, $12,000 for third, $7,000 for fourth, $4,000 for fifth and $2,000 for sixth.

Points are accumulated for finishing first (10 points), second (seven), third (five) and fourth (three) and by having a starter (one) in each of Pimlico's Thoroughbred stakes.

Preakness weekend stakes action begins Thursday, Oct. 1 with the $200,000 Chick Lang (G3), $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint and $100,000 The Very One. The historic $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3) highlights a Friday, Oct. 2 card that also serves as Claiming Crown Preview Day.

Joining the $1 million Preakness this year is the 96th running of the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan for 3-year-old fillies. They are supported by the $250,000 Dinner Party (G2), $200,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3), $150,000 Miss Preakness (G3), $150,000 Gallorette (G3), $150,000 Laurel Futurity, $150,000 Selima, $100,000 Skipat, $100,000 James W. Murphy, $100,000 Hilltop and $100,000 The Very One.

Nominations for all 15 Thoroughbred stakes close Thursday, Sept. 17.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen captured the $50,000 prize in both 2017 and 2018 but finished second to Brad Cox in 2019. Cox led the way with 36 points last year, three more than Asmussen, including running third and fourth, respectively, with Owendale and Warrior's Charge in the Preakness, Cox's Triple Crown race debut.

Cox won the Miss Preakness with eventual champion Covfefe in track-record time of 1:07.70 for six furlongs and the Allaire duPont Distaff (G3) with Mylady Curlin, and was second with Ulele in the Black-Eyed Susan. Asmussen picked up wins in the Pimlico Special with Tenfold and Maryland Sprint (G3) with New York Central, and was fifth in the Preakness with Laughing Fox.

The post $100,000 Trainer Bonus Returns For Pimlico’s Preakness Weekend appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Old Friends Welcomes Pair Of ‘Magnificently Bred’ Mares From LNJ Foxwoods

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility based in Georgetown, KY, this week welcomed two new retirees as part of a unique arrangement with owners LNJ Foxwoods.

Gold Round was bred in Ireland by Wertheimer Et Frere and is a half-sister to three-time Breeders' Cup Mile winner Goldikova. The now 23-year-old mare raced in France for two seasons where she captured the 2000 Grade 3 Prix Cleopatre at Saint Cloud and the 1999 Prix des Sablonnets at Nantes. Gold Round was bought by Solis/Litt Bloodstock for LNJ in the 2012 Arqana Breeding Stock sale. Since her purchase, the mare has produced six fillies for the Roth family including Grade 3 winner Golden Valentine and stakes-placed Golden Attitude and Golden Box.

Mystery Trip, an unraced 16-year old mare by Belong to Me out of the superlative daughter of Secretariat, Weekend Surprise, was bred by the Farish Family and Kilroy Thoroughbreds. She is a half-sister to Classic winners A.P. Indy and Summer Squall, and is the last foal from the exceptional producer. In 2016, Mystery Trip was purchased by Solis/Litt Bloodstock for LNJ at the Keeneland November sale.

Represented by Alex Solis II and Jason Litt of Solis/Litt Bloodstock, the Roth family— Larry, Nanci, and Jaime—owners of LNJ Foxwoods, approached Old Friends about securing aftercare options for several broodmares. LNJ has donated the construction of a new paddock as well as stipend for the mares to the non-profit organization, and, in the coming months, will also retire Hi Dubai, a stakes-winning sister to Fantastic Light.

LNJ Foxwoods has campaigned such champions as 2019 Kentucky Derby winner Country House, 2019 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Covfefe, Grade 1 winner Constellation, and Grade 1 winner Nickname.

“We are always pleased to see such dedicated and responsible owners as the Roth family,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “They are great role models for the industry. The mares are magnificently bred, very sweet, and will be a wonderful attraction for our visitors.”

“Responsible ownership is the cornerstone of the LNJ operation,” said LNJ's Jaime Roth. “Over a year ago, my family met with Michael Blowen with the idea of creating our own paddock for retired LNJ broodmares to peacefully live out the end of their lives. To now see that concept come to fruition is pretty awesome. Knowing that Gold Round, Mystery Trip, and future LNJ broodmares will be celebrated by visitors while having a retirement haven is invaluable to my family,” Roth added.

“We would like to thank Old Friends for their work caring for these retirees, and for allowing LNJ Foxwoods mares to have this option.”

The post Old Friends Welcomes Pair Of ‘Magnificently Bred’ Mares From LNJ Foxwoods appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Old Friends Welcomes Blueblooded LNJ Mares

Group winner Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon-Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr)), a half-sister to three-time GI Breeders’ Cup Mile heroine Goldikova, and Mystery Trip (Belong to Me-Weekend Surprise, by Secretariat), a half-sister to Classic winners A.P. Indy and Summer Squall, have been retired to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility based in Georgetown, KY.

Represented by Alex Solis II and Jason Litt of Solis/Litt Bloodstock, the Roth family–Larry, Nanci, and Jaime-the owners of LNJ Foxwoods approached Old Friends about securing aftercare options for several broodmares. LNJ has donated the construction of a new paddock as well as stipend for the mares to the non-profit organization, and, in the coming months, will also retire Hi Dubai, a stakes-winning sister to champion Fantastic Light.

“Responsible ownership is the cornerstone of the LNJ operation,” said LNJ’s Jaime Roth. “Over a year ago, my family met with Michael Blowen with the idea of creating our own paddock for retired LNJ broodmares to peacefully live out the end of their lives. To now see that concept come to fruition is pretty awesome. Knowing that Gold Round, Mystery Trip, and future LNJ broodmares will be celebrated by visitors while having a retirement haven is invaluable to my family.”

Bred in Ireland by Wertheimer Et Frere, the 23-year-old mare is a half-sister to 14-time Group 1 winner Goldikova. During her racing campaign in France for two seasons, she captured the 2000 G3 Prix Cleopatre at Saint Cloud and the 1999 Prix des Sablonnets at Nantes. Gold Round was bought by Solis/Litt Bloodstock for LNJ in the 2012 Arqana Breeding Stock sale. Since her purchase, the mare has produced six fillies for the Roth family including Grade III winner Golden Valentine and stakes-placed Golden Attitude and Golden Box.

An unraced 16-year old, Mystery Trip was bred by the Farish Family and Kilroy Thoroughbreds. She is a half-sister to Classic winners A.P. Indy and Summer Squall, and is the last foal out of the bluehen mare. In 2016, Mystery Trip was purchased by Solis/Litt Bloodstock for LNJ at the Keeneland November sale.

The post Old Friends Welcomes Blueblooded LNJ Mares appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post