Mick Appleby Duo Test The Riyadh Turf

Fosnic Racing's Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Gary Allsopp's Roberto Escobarr (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) both worked over the King Abdulaziz turf course ahead of intended starts on the G1 Saudi Cup undercard in Riyadh on Wednesday for trainer Mick Appleby.

The son of Muhaarar, who won the G3 Bengough S. in October, ran second in a Lingfield listed race earlier this month, a prep for the G2 Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint on Saturday. He galloped 1200 metres Wednesday morning.

“Annaf worked over six furlongs [1200m] on the grass this morning and everyone is happy,”Appleby said. “My two horses will have an easy day tomorrow and canter again on Friday. Annaf didn't get as good a draw as Roberto Escobarr but I'm not too worried. I think he'll be able to get across from 12 and slot in behind the leaders hopefully.”

Roberto Escobarr, who spend 1600 metres over the grass on Wednesday, will break from gate three in the G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. over 3000 metres, also on grass, on Saturday. The multiple Group 3 winner landed the G3 Premio St Leger Italiano in November, and was last engaged taking fourth in a Newcastle all-weather handicap on New Year's Day.

“He worked this morning over a mile [1600m] and everyone is happy so he will have an easy day tomorrow and canter again on Friday,” Appleby reported. “He has drawn in stall three, which is a good draw for him as I'd imagine the plan will be to jump out and make the running.”

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T.I.P. Announces 2024 Shows and Championships

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) has approved more than 7,500 awards and classes at more than 1,500 shows in 42 states and six Canadian provinces for 2024, it was announced Wednesday.

Awards are available for multiple disciplines, including eventing, dressage, Western and English pleasure, ranch riding, hunter/jumper, endurance, barrel racing, polo, and polocrosse. A full calendar of shows offering awards is available at tjctip.com/CalendarOfEvents and will be updated as show dates are confirmed.

The 2024 T.I.P. Championship horse show will be held at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, Thursday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 6. Divisions will be offered for hunters, jumpers, combined test, dressage, Western dressage, English pleasure, Western pleasure, ranch, competitive trail, and in-hand.

“Stable View is honored and proud to be hosting the T.I.P. Championships for the fourth year. The increased number of divisions and classes is a testament to the growth of T.I.P. and the enthusiasm of participants,” said Barry and Cyndy Olliff, owners of Stable View. “We look forward to welcoming competitors from all over to showcase the versatility and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds. Stay tuned for more updates and information as we prepare for this event.”

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Mystik Dan Confirmed for Arkansas Derby, Catching Freedom Possible

Trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed that GIII Southwest S. winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) is pointing for the GI Arkansas Derby Mar. 30. McPeek said Mystik Dan returned to the Fair Grounds shortly after his eight-length victory in the Southwest, which was postponed a week because of winter weather.

According to McPeek, the 21-day return to the GII Rebel S. factored into McPeek's decision to train Mystik Dan up to the Arkansas Derby. McPeek originally sent Mystik Dan to the Fair Grounds to prepare for the Southwest after arctic temperatures, snow and rain halted training at Oaklawn for 11 days (Jan. 13-23). Mystik Dan recorded three published workouts at Oaklawn–Dec. 23, Dec. 29 and Jan. 12–before heading south.

“He's doing well,” said McPeek, who has divisions at Oaklawn and Fair Grounds. “I skipped a breeze with him this weekend because the track was horrendous, and he'll get teed up for the Arkansas Derby in the next month.”

McPeek indicated Mystik Dan's upcoming works in advance of the Arkansas Derby will be in New Orleans.

“He might come up, like, a week early to work over the track or he may come a few days before the race,” McPeek said.

Mystik Dan kicked off 2024 with a fifth-place finish, beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Catching Freedom, in the Smarty Jones S. Jan. 1.

According to trainer Brad Cox, the Arkansas Derby is also a possibility for Catching Freedom (Constitution).

“Very pleased with the effort,” Cox said. “It looks like he came out of it well.”

Cox won the 2022 Arkansas Derby with Cyberknife and last year with Angel of Empire, who, like Catching Freedom, is owned by Albaugh Family Stables.

“I think right now everything's in play–the Arkansas Derby, Louisiana Derby [Mar. 23], Blue Grass S. [Apr. 6],” Cox said. “I might even throw the Wood [Memorial, Apr. 6] in there. Don't think we would do the Florida Derby or the Santa Anita Derby. But those four races will be on his radar, and we'll pick the one we're thinking makes the most sense. Obviously, he ran well in Arkansas. That gives us some confidence if that's the route to go.”

Catching Freedom (25 points) and Mystik Dan (21) rank fifth and sixth, respectively, on the latest Kentucky Derby leaderboard released by Churchill Downs. The Arkansas Derby offers 200 points (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) to its top five eligible finishers toward Kentucky Derby.

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