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No Nay Never’s Frankel Relation Steps Out At Newbury

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a grandson of King (Ire) (Danehill).

18.05 Newbury, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT
ARRAY (IRE) (No Nay Never) wins the award for the day's best-bred newcomer, being the sixth foal out of Juddmonte's prized mare Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who shares her famed dam Kind (Ire) (Danehill) with the great Frankel (GB). Not surprisingly, given his achievements with the Juddmonte giant's son Chaldean (GB), Andrew Balding has been handed care of homebred whose half-siblings include the Group 1-placed Maximal (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Jubiloso (GB) (Shamardal).

16.45 Haydock, Novice, £9,999, 2yo, 6f 212yT
HIDDEN PASS (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was a big deal at the Arqana May Breeze Up, with Godolphin going to €400,000 for the Shadwell-bred half-brother to the G2 Let's Elope S. winner Turaath (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Charlie Appleby introduces the February-foaled chestnut in the race which saw Desert Hero

(GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) earn TDN Rising Star status 12 months ago and which also plays host to Coverdale Stud's Tribal Rhythm (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), a James Horton-trained half-brother to last month's G1 King's Stand S. hero Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}).

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Delaware Jock Gets 15 Days for ‘Failure to Give Best Effort’

Jockey Raul E. Mena is appealing a 15-day suspension and $1,000 fine imposed by the Delaware Park stewards after a “failure to give best effort” ruling was lodged against him following a last-place finish aboard a 1-for-19 filly who trailed at every call in a $5,000 NW2L claiming sprint June 28.

Sarah Crane, the executive director of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC), confirmed in an email that Mena, 31, has been granted a stay of his penalties until a Sept. 19 hearing.

But Crane declined an opportunity to address questions about to the severity of the stewards' penalties in relation to the recent poor form of the filly Mena rode: In each of her previous three starts, Harper's Do (Straight Talking) had finished next to last at Laurel Park and Charles Town, and had been beaten 63 combined lengths.

In two of those efforts, Harper's Do had earned a Beyer Speed Figure of zero, which matches the figure she earned again on June 28 when she finished seventh, beaten 26 lengths, under Mena.

“Best for me to hold any comments while matter is under appeal,” Crane wrote when TDN queried about any mitigating circumstances. “I saw no valid reason not to grant a stay of suspension.”

TDN could not immediately reach Mena for comment.

Owned and trained by Mario Serey, Jr., Harper's Do went off at 6-1 odds under Mena, who was riding her for the first time in the eighth and final race of the afternoon at Delaware June 28.

Harper's Do came out of the gate seventh and last, then was guided to the eight path under a light hold. The filly dropped so far back that she was mostly out of the pan shot from the half-mile pole to the wire, with the head-on camera showing her a long way last while traveling five wide around the turn and in the six path through the home straight. The Equibase chart caller's comment stated that Harper's Do “broke slowly, fell far back, raced wide and was not urged.”

The stewards' report for that race listed on the DTRC website noted that Harper's Do was selected for “special” post-race testing. But otherwise, the three stewards-Joelyn Rigione, Robert Colton and William Troilo-described the race as, “Good start for all, no incidents to report.”

The July 4 ruling, however, noted that the stewards had also ordered a “soundness evaluation” and that Harper's Do had “jogged sound after the eighth race on June 28, 2023, per the Test Barn Veterinarian.”

After reviewing the films of the race with Mena on July 1 and “considering his testimony,” the stewards then imposed the “failure to give best effort” penalties. Prior to Mena's appeal, his suspension had been slated to start July 13.

Mena has compiled a 12-for-77 riding record with $259,965 in earnings this year. His season started late, on Apr. 16, because he was recovering from a fractured left femur sustained in a Tampa Bay Downs racing accident on Dec. 7, 2022.

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Iconic Arlington Statue Joins National Museum of Racing

Churchill Downs Inc. announced July 5 that they will donate “Against All Odds,” an inspiring bronze statue by Edwin Bogucki, to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as part of the Museum’s permanent collection. The statue will be unveiled at its new home in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on July 12.

Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl Retires, Sandy Hawley Resigns

President of Jockeys and Jeans Barry Pearl has officially retired. The 76-year-old headed the annual event that has raised $3.1 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund in their nine-year history. A former jockey, Pearl later became the track photographer at Penn National Racetrack and then a top salesperson for West Publishing. He retired in 2009 and moved to Juno Beach Florida with his wife Dee.

Hall of Fame Jockey Sandy Hawley, who along with his wife Karou, oversaw relationships with Hall of Fame Jockeys has also resigned. Each year they arranged for some 12 to 16 Hall of Fame Jockeys to attend and honor their wheelchair bound “brothers and sisters.'”

“Barry has organizational and sales skills far beyond my gifting,” said Vice President Eddie Donnally. “We would never have had this level of success without him at the helm. He embraced the cause for aiding disabled former jockeys and for him Jockeys and Jeans was a full-time job for at least six months out of the last nine years.”

Pearl indicated he stay on as an advisor and help with the transition.

“I hope the PDJF will embrace Jockeys and Jeans and keep it going,” said Pearl. “In the last nine years, I have met so many great people, fallen riders, Hall of Fame members and folks that truly care about jockeys who are now riding wheelchairs. It's been a good run, but it's time for me to hang up my tack.”

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