The horse racing world like all other areas of society continues to make changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health crisis. Most racetracks currently operating are doing so without spectators, and have instituted strict safety screening protocols for essential employees who are already on the grounds to provide daily care for horses.
Author: News
Pyledriver on Course for Derby
Group 2 winner Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) remains on course for the G1 Investec Derby as long as he continues to please trainer William Muir ahead of the premier Classic on July 4.The Harbour Watch colt put himself in the picture for the Epsom showpiece with a convincing victory in the King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot. Muir reports his stable star to have taken those exertions in his stride, so far.
“He’s been fine since the race, he’s absolutely wonderful,” said the Lambourn handler. “As I’ve said to everyone from day one about the Derby, he will go to the Derby if he tells me all is well and at the moment all is well. Sometimes horses come out of a race and they are bouncing for a week and then they hit a bit of a lull the following week. As long as he keeps going the way he is and all is well, we will give it a go.
“He’s just moseying around doing a bit of lobbing canters and enjoying life. He’s eating really well, he looks well. We weigh them once a week so he’ll be weighed again on Wednesday and as long as he’s put his weight back on we’ll be ready to go.”
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Fabre Likely to Divide Classic Colts
Andre Fabre’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ocean Atlantique (American Pharoah) may head to next month’s G1 Investec Derby at Epsom, with stablemate and fellow ‘Rising Star’ Victor Ludorum (GB) (Shamardal) likely to contest the French version. Fabre has no intention of stepping Victor Ludorum up to a mile and a half yet, and the G1 Prix du Jockey Club has always been his aim. American Pharoah colt Ocean Atlantique is owned by Coolmore, whose chief Epsom hope Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is out to 10-1 for the Derby following his Royal Ascot defeat. Ocean Atlantique finished second to the smart Pao Alto (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) in the G3 Prix La Force, before winning a listed race by five lengths at Deauville on May 31.
“It is possible that Ocean Atlantique could join Victor Ludorum in the Jockey Club. He will either run there or at Epsom,” said Fabre. “Ocean Atlantique would have more stamina, so he’s a possible for Epsom, but I have to talk to the owners and see what they want to do regarding their 3-year-olds.
“The [Epsom] picture is still a bit murky. You have the Guineas winner Kameko (Kitten’s Joy), and then the horse who won at Lingfield [English King {Fr}] looks a nice horse. Victor Ludorum is in good shape, and everything is building nicely toward the Jockey Club.”
Last year’s French Guineas winner and ‘Rising Star’ Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) was surprisingly beaten on his return to action by stablemate Magny Cours (Medaglia d’Oro)- but that was his first run for more than a year since finishing second in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club.
Fabre said, “Persian King will improve for his run. He needed it badly having not run for a year. He will go to Saint-Cloud next week for a gallop. I’m hoping to run him in the G1 Prix D’Ispahan [July 19], which unfortunately for him will be run at Chantilly rather than Longchamp. I would have preferred Longchamp, but there’s not much we can do about that.
“Magny Cours is a good horse, too. He’s a real miler–he has to go forward. He will run in the G2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud this weekend.”
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Nine Things to Know About the 2020 Stephen Foster Stakes
Churchill Downs features a great day of racing this Saturday, highlighted by the $500,000 Stephen Foster Stakes, a race that has attracted some of the best older horses in training including Tom’s d’Etat and By My Standards.
