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TDN Writers’ Room Celebrates 50 Episodes

It was a special day Wednesday for everyone who works on the TDN Writers’ Room presented by Keeneland, as the crew celebrated its 50th episode of the industry-leading weekly podcast. In a tribute to the show’s creator, the four hosts welcomed producer Patty Wolfe as the Green Group Guest of the Week to discuss her original vision for the Writers’ Room, how it has evolved since then and how she’d like to see it develop in the future.

“I’m a big podcast person and there’s one podcast that I love, NPR Politics’ Weekly Roundup, because it’s reporters, people that are used to just reporting the stories at NPR, never being celebrities themselves,” Wolfe said. “And it was so fascinating to get people who really knew their stuff as opposed to people who just are slick on camera. So I said to Sue [Finley], you’ve got such a smart staff, can we get some writers to sit around and do this? Sue said, ‘We’ve got buy-in here. We’ll do it. We’ll give it a try.'”

Originally intended as a medium to recap and preview racing and sales based out of a refashioned conference room in the TDN offices, the podcast quickly morphed into an opportunity for the writers to delve into deep, structural issues within the sport and speak candidly in pursuit of finding solutions. It also has now turned into a video recording done over Zoom, an innovation of necessity in response to the pandemic shutting down the original “studio”.

“From show one, I said. ‘Oh, this thing’s got a life of its own,”” Wolfe added. “It changed a lot from the initial thought, for the better. Who knew the kinds of stories that were going to come your way? This crazy year that has been in the sport, outside the sport, there was no topic [the hosts] weren’t willing to tackle. One of the things I enjoy the most is how honest it is. There’s no feeling of, ‘Hey, let’s take this polite approach and be deferential.’ No, you let it out. And that’s been the biggest surprise and treat for me. It just went its own way.”

Elsewhere on the podcast, there was plenty to discuss from The Jockey Club’s Round Table, and the writers zeroed in on the debate over whether and how to shrink the disproportionate number of claiming races run in America with the goal of creating a safer environment for lower-level horses. They then explored Bill Finley’s article from Wednesday’s TDN about the issues plaguing Equibase’s new Gmax timing system at tracks across the country and the wide-ranging implications that come from incorrect clockings. In the West Point Thoroughbreds news segment, the topic turned to the extensive delay of Monmouth paying out its purses and how it particularly affects smaller stables. Click here to watch the podcast, click here for the audio-only version.

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Derby Jockeys: With Several Big Names Staying Home, Kentucky Riders Get A Shot In The Big Dance

In a normal year, jockeys would be hard-pressed to miss their flights to Louisville for a chance to ride in the Kentucky Derby. Obviously, 2020 has been anything but a normal year, with the coronavirus pandemic pushing the Run for the Roses back to Sept. 5 and drawing up jockey travel restrictions all around the United States.

Last week, Churchill Downs announced that riders wanting to participate in the Derby will have to arrive in the state of Kentucky by Aug. 31, and participate in several additional coronavirus precautions.

As such, a number of prominent U.S. jockeys won't be making the trip to Kentucky. Jose and Irad Ortiz will both stay in New York, as will Joel Rosario, reports the Daily Racing Form, and last year's Derby winner Flavien Prat will stay in Southern California.

Those choices have opened the doors for Kentucky-based riders to have a chance to pick up a mount in the Derby.

Here's a look at the current 3-year-olds pointing to the Kentucky Derby, and their jockeys (plus state in which they are based), in order of points earned.

Tiz the Law – Manny Franco (New York) – 372
Authentic – John Velazquez (New York) – 200
Art Collector – Brian Hernandez, Jr. (Kentucky) – 150
Honor A. P. – Mike Smith (California) – 140
Ny Traffic – TBD (last ridden by Paco Lopez) – 110
King Guillermo – Samy Camacho (Florida) – 90
Thousand Words – Florent Geroux (Kentucky) – 83
Dr Post – TBD (last ridden by Joe Bravo) – 80
Max Player – Ricardo Santana, Jr. (Kentucky) – 60
Caracaro – TBD (last ridden by Javier Castellano) – 60
Enforceable – Adam Beschizza (Kentucky) – 43
Rushie – TBD (last ridden by Javier Castellano) – 40
Major Fed – James Graham (Kentucky) – 38
Storm the Court – Julien Leparoux (Kentucky) – 36
Attachment Rate – Joe Talamo (Kentucky) – 35
Sole Volante – Luca Panici (Florida) – 30
Finnick the Fierce – TBD (last ridden by Jose Ortiz) – 25
Winning Impression – Joe Rocco, Jr. (Kentucky) – 20
Necker Island – Mitchell Murrill (Kentucky) – 14
Shirl's Speight – Rafael Hernandez (Canada) – 0
Money Moves – TBD (last ridden by Luis Saez) – 0

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Four Star Sales Adds Lanigan As Bloodstock Advisor

David Lanigan has recently joined Four Star Sales, announced Kerry Cauthen, the company's managing partner.

David will join the company as bloodstock advisor, helping the company's clients in all areas, but emphasizing on the private purchase of horses in-training and racing management. Four Star Sales has been one of North America's leading Thoroughbred consignors since its inception in 2002.

Lanigan closed his Newmarket training operation this spring to prepare for his family's planned return to Lexington, Ky. As a trainer, Lanigan worked for over five years with the renowned Sir Henry Cecil as his assistant trainer before embarking in 2007 on his own notable 13-year training career. He ended with over 200 winners including top stakes horses, Main Sequence (2nd Epsom Derby G1), Meeznah (Park Hill G2 and Lillie Langtry G3), Interception, (Royal Ascot Wokingham), and Worth Waiting (2019 Dahlia Stakes G2, Prix Miniver Rose G3 and Aphrodite Stake).

Joining Four Star Sales brings things full circle for Lanigan. Twenty years ago, before he went to England as assistant trainer for Cecil, he worked with Cauthen at John T.L. Jones Jr's' Walmac International.

“We are very excited to have David join our team at Four Star,” said Cauthen. “David has a great understanding of all the different aspects of the Thoroughbred business. He learned the sales and breeding side from his parents at Tullamaine Castle Stud in Ireland and during his thirteen year training career where he regularly sold race horses both privately and at training sales. David has also returned to America for the September Sale every year since he began training. He recommended the purchase of several top stakes winners from that sale. He knows well what it takes to select and train top quality horses on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Lanigan added, “As I begin with Four Star, I will be focusing on the bloodstock side and I have been sourcing private sales of racehorses from England that we believe can move up in class in the U.S. Also, given the concerns over travel during the pandemic, I have had inquiries from European and other overseas owners to advise on purchases at the upcoming yearling and breeding stock sales. I expect that I may have a few more of those as the sales draw closer. While I was training in England, I attended the September Sale every year to buy yearlings for several overseas clients and to inspect the stock of my clients with breeding operations in Kentucky, such as Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Runnymede Farm and the Niarchos family. We sourced Main Sequence and Meeznah, among others, from those trips. Both were stakes winners in England and Main Sequence returned to the States and was a tremendous performer here.”

Lanigan continued, “Amy and I always knew we would return to Lexington one day and started considering it seriously last summer. Though I genuinely loved my time with Henry, and training on my own in Newmarket and Lambourn, I am extremely excited to return to the States. I couldn't hope to work for a better company or have a better team to work with than Kerry, Tony, Ashley and Elizabeth. They have a wonderful clientele and I believe I can add to the service they offer and hopefully bring some new connections to Four Star.”

Cauthen added, “David's honest manner, skill, and tenacity will definitely make him a great fit in the U.S. bloodstock market and also a great fit for Four Star.”

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Got Stormy, Uni Will Renew Rivalry In ‘Win And You’re In’ Fourstardave

Gary Barber's Got Stormy will take on reigning Champion Turf Female Uni as she looks to defend her title in Saturday's 36th running of the Grade 1, $400,000 Fourstardave at Saratoga Race Course.

The one mile event over the inner turf for 3-year-olds and upward is a Breeders' Cup “Win And You're In” event which offers an automatic entry towards the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland on November 7.

The Fourstardave pays homage to “The Sultan of Saratoga” who was best known for winning at least one race at the Spa every year from 1987-1994 in a racing career that featured 100 starts. Trained by Leo O'Brien and owned by Richard Bomze and Bernard Connaughton, Fourstardave was a 10-time winner at Saratoga, with five of those races taking place on the turf, including two editions of the West Point and back-to-back editions of the Grade 3 Daryl's Joy in 1990-91, which is now run as the Fourstardave.

Trained by Mark Casse, Got Stormy will seek to become the first back-to-back winner of the Fourstardave since two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan scored back to back victories in 2012-13. Got Stormy put together a sensational campaign last season, included a 2 ½-length victory in the Fourstardave in which she became the race's first female winner, posting a track record time of 1:32 flat while registering a 109 Beyer Speed Figure. The daughter of 2010 Fourstardave winner Get Stormy was a hard fought second to Uni two starts later in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita before capping off her season with a win in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar.

Got Stormy will look to end a streak of four straight losses. In her most recent start, she was fourth beaten 3 ½ lengths in the Grade 3 Poker going one mile over the Widener turf at Belmont Park.

“She's training well and she's back to Saratoga, which is where she did her best running last year, so we're hoping for the best,” Casse said. “We know she likes that course, we know that she likes firm turf. She's got to come with her A game. She's the same horse, she looks great and trains great. She's just been a little bit unlucky. She ran over some good turf courses and she wants it to be really firm.”

Regular rider Tyler Gaffalione will return to the saddle as he attempts a sixth stakes win of the meet from post 4.

Eclipse Award-winner Uni, one of four runners for trainer Chad Brown along with Raging Bull, Valid Point and Without Parole, will attempt to replicate her form from last year when making her second start of 2020. Uni, who was third in last year's Fourstardave, rounded out the trifecta as the favorite in her seasonal bow under Joel Rosario in the Grade 1 Just a Game on June 27 at Belmont Park, where she finished 3 ½ lengths to stablemate Newspaperofrecord. The 6-year-old daughter of More Than Ready was named Champion Turf Female last year following victories in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland and the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile against colts at Santa Anita, where she registered a career-best 106 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She missed some time with a splint issue, and we stopped breezing for five or six weeks,” said Bradley Weisbord of BSW/Crow Bloodstock, who manages Uni on behalf of owners Michael Dubb, Head of Plains Partners, Robert V. LaPenta and Bethlehem Stables. “The ground might have been a little soften the Just a Game and Joel didn't think she got through it great, but she was short, and she really needed the race.”

Uni arrives at the Fourstardave off a sharp five-eighths breeze in company with multiple Grade 1 winner Newspaperofrecord over the Oklahoma training turf on Sunday morning, which she completed in 1:00.46.

“She just had her best breeze of the year last week and we weren't completely sure about this race,” Weisbord said. “We were 50-50 between the Fourstardave and the Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill, but the breeze is what gave Chad the confidence to run her, so she's sitting on go.”

A winner over six different turf courses in North America, Uni has won seven of her nine starts over the one mile distance, four of which took place against graded stakes company.

Uni boasts the highest amount of lifetime earnings in the field with $2,377,880 and will be picking up the riding services of Saratoga leading rider Jose Ortiz.

“We picked up a great rider in Jose Ortiz,” Weisbord said. “I asked him if he watched replays and he said 'I breezed her tons of times'. We're looking forward to the race.”

Peter Brant's Raging Bull and John D. Gunther and Tonya Gunther's Without Parole will square off for the third time in a row.

Winner of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita two starts back, Raging Bull was third in the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile at Keeneland, where he was carried wide into the turn and finished a neck to War of Will. Second in last year's Fourstardave, the 5-year-old bay son of Dark Angel seeks his third graded stakes triumph at Saratoga having won the Grade 2 Hall of Fame and Grade 3 Saranac at the Spa during his 3-year-old campaign en route to a score in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar.

Breaking from the rail, Raging Bull will be ridden by Joel Rosario, who has ridden the horse in 12 of his 14 lifetime starts.

“I'm hoping for a better trip,” Brown said.

Without Parole, a 5-year-old bay son of Frankel, seeks his first win since winning the Group 1 St. James's Palace in June 2018 at Royal Ascot while being trained by John Gosden. Two starts back, Without Parole was a troubled third in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile where he lacked racing room down the stretch but finished third to stablemate Raging Bull. Last out, he was a closing third beaten a neck in the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile where he went six wide into the stretch and made a late bid to be beaten a neck. Without Parole made his North American debut last November when finishing third in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile to Uni and Got Stormy.

“We feel like he fits in with this group, so we're trying again and hope that he will get a better trip,” Brown said.

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. will ride Without Parole from post 8.

Valid Point, owned by e Five Thoroughbred Racing, has made all of his five lifetime starts going one mile and seeks a second Grade 1 win after winning the Secretariat at Arlington Park last August. The bay son of Scat Daddy was off the board last out in the Grade 3 Poker

Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano seeks a third Fourstardave win aboard Valid Point, who will leave from post 7.

“I'm hoping the turf is firm for my four horses,” Brown said. “Hopefully they can all get clean trips and have an equal chance to win the race.”

Rounding out the field are Casa Creed [post 2, Junior Alvarado], Emmaus [post 3, Jose Lezcano], Halladay [post 5, Luis Saez] and Chewing Gum [post 9, John Velazquez].

The Fourstardave is slated as Race 9 on Saturday's 10-race card, which offers a first post of 1:10 p.m. Eastern. Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

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