The 6-year-old mare, who defeated males in the 2020 GI Preakness S. and also won the GI Alabama S. and GI Beholder Mile, was purchased for $4.7 million by Katsumi Yoshida at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale and was then sent to England, where she was bred to Kingman at Juddmonte Farms' Banstead Manor Stud before shipping to Yoshida's Northern Farm in Japan.

Campaigned by Peter Callahan and trained by Kenny McPeek, Swiss Skydiver retired in 2021 with a career line of 16-7-3-2, $2,216,480. She was honored with the Eclipse Award as 2020's champion 3-year-old filly.

SWISS SKYDIVER (Daredevil) and her filly by @JuddmonteFarms' Kingman (GB) https://t.co/QzQYUGcmNV

— TDN (@theTDN) April 17, 2023

The post Swiss Skydiver Delivers First Foal in Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Whisper Hill homebred Charge It, a jaw-dropping 23-length winner of the GIII Dwyer S. at Belmont July 2, missed a scheduled breeze Saturday morning due to a front right foot abscess and galloped Sunday morning.

“He galloped super, but you could tell jogging back he was a little bit tender on it,” Pletcher said. “It's one of those things where if we didn't need to breeze again, we might be able to get it healed up before the race, but needing to get another work into him, it's just unfortunate timing.”

Charge It could resurface in the Sept. 24 GI Pennsylvania Derby.

“That's our next possible target, but the foot is going to dictate when he's going to be ready to breeze again,” Pletcher said.

Nest, meanwhile, was no worse for wear after her 4 1/4-length likely Eclipse-cinching Alabama tally.

“I thought [the Alabama] was more impressive watching the replay because watching it live, I couldn't fully appreciate how quickly she accelerated off the turn there,” Pletcher said. “I was impressed watching it live and even more so watching the replay. Especially the start.”

Despite some clamoring for her to take on males, Nest–who previously took the July 23 GI Coaching Club American Oaks after seconds in the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Belmont S., will likely stick to races for females for the time being. Pletcher said she could train up to the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 5, or possibly run in the GI Cotillion S. Sept. 24 or GII Beldame S. or GI Juddmonte Spinster S. Oct. 9.

“I think we just stay against our own gender for right now,” Pletcher said. “Things can change in this game. If there's a few defections along the way, who knows? But for right now, I think we're focused about running against fillies.”

Pletcher also trains Alabama third finisher Goddess of Fire (Mineshaft), who is likely for Parx's Cotillion.

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An 8 1/4-length tour-de-force tally in Keeneland's GI Central Bank Ashland S. accorded Nest the role of favoritism in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, but she was no match for the somewhat forgotten Secret Oath, dropping a two-length decision. A meritorious second to stablemate Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) in the GI Belmont S., the $350,000 Keeneland September grad reversed the Oaks form with a 12 1/4-length thumping of Secret Oath in the GI CCA Oaks July 23, good for a 104 Beyer Speed Figure that is a half-dozen points stronger than anything her six rivals has earned and nine more than Secret Oath's top. A GI Runhappy Travers S. start was an option next weekend, but she sticks with a path of lesser resistance for the Alabama.

“Whenever you're running four weeks off a huge effort like that, you're always concerned about if you're running back too soon,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, who won his third Alabama with 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) last year. “But, in her case, she's done so well since the race there's no reason not to.”

Wayne Lukas, who won the Alabama twice in the 1980s with Life's Magic in 1984 and with Oaks winner Open Mind five years later, looks to equal his former pupil. Secret Oath's second clash of the season with the boys in the GI Preakness S. resulted in a non-threatening fourth and she figures to strip fitter off the CCA Oaks, her first start in 63 days.

“She's really had a good month since that debacle in the [CCA Oaks],” Lukas said. “In fact, I feel like she's better now than any time I've had her. She's really flourished here at Saratoga. [Jockey] Luis [Saez] has worked her three times since that race so he's getting more familiar every day with her, too. So, that should help us as much as anything. We're anxious to run her.”

Gerrymander (Into Mischief) defeated next-out GIII Monmouth Oaks heroine and 'TDN Rising Star' Shahama (Munnings) in the GII Mother Goose S. June 25, but will probably need to find a few lengths to trouble the heavy hitters.

GI CCA Oaks winner NEST, who will run in Saturday's GI Alabama S. at Saratoga @TheNYRA, is photobombed by @kentuckyderby winner and GI Travers S. hopeful Rich Strike…only at the Spa!

Great shot by @SarahKAndrew. pic.twitter.com/807ChVlCH1

— TDN (@theTDN) August 18, 2022

Spendarella Vulnerable in Del Mar Oaks?

Gainesway Stable's Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) took her career record to three wins from as many starts with a convincing 1 3/4-length success in the GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland in April and, with trainer Graham Motion unafraid to tackle the deepest of deep waters, took that undefeated mark into the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 17. The $220,000 Keeneland September purchase had the misfortune of running into her fellow flawless rival Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who scored by 4 3/4 lengths first off the layoff and has since defeated the boys in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.

But Saturday's GI Del Mar Oaks figures something other than a walk in the park for Spendarella, who faces a fresh challenge from Euro import Txope (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The bay, previously trained by Philippe Decouz, was stakes-placed in France earlier this season on the synthetic and on the turf and was last seen posting a mild upset when proving 3/4 of a length too strong in the G2 German 1000 Guineas at Duesseldorf June 12. The bay most recently topped the Arqana Summer Mixed Sale on a bid of €1.2 million from the BBA Ireland on behalf of Yulong Investments. She makes her U.S. debut for the John Sadler barn and can be the fly in the favorite's ointment.

Spendarella in town and cruising around Del Mar on Thursday morning in preparation for Saturday's G1 Del Mar Oaks. Who is your pick?

@ceciliagphoto #horsephotos #horseracing #horseracingphotography #delmar pic.twitter.com/yHsdqh1opJ

— Horsephotos (@HorsephotosCom) August 19, 2022

With The Moonlight Backs Up For Lake Placid

Godolphin's With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) makes her third start in the last six weeks as the expected favorite in the GII Lake Placid S. back at the Spa. After failing to see out the 12-furlong distance of the G1 Cazoo Oaks June 3, the homebred completed a Frankel exacta behind McKulick (GB) in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational July 9 but turned the tables on that foe last time in the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational. The latter is missing this time around, but the Chad Brown barn is represented by a quartet–each lined up next to the other–including GIII Lake George S. one-two finishers Dolce Zel (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}, gate 5) and Eminent Victor (Mr. Z, post three); Consumer Spending (More Than Ready, post four), winner of the GII Wonder Again S. and third in the Belmont Oaks; and 'TDN Rising Star' Haughty (Empire Maker, gate six).

In non-graded stakes action Saturday, Grade I winner Rattle N Roll (Connect), who lost all chance at the start of the GIII Indiana Derby July 9, looks to return to winning ways in the $250,000 St. Louis Derby at FanDuel Racing (results in Monday's TDN), while 2-year-old males and females prep for next month's GI Pattison Summer S. and GI Natalma S., respectively, in the Soaring Free S. and Catch a Glimpse S. at Woodbine.

The post Saturday Preview: Rubber Match in the Alabama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Dating to 1872, eight years after the first Travers S. was run and 12 years after the first Queen's Plate (the oldest stakes race in North America), the Alabama is the last leg in New York's Triple Tiara following the GI Acorn S. and the GI Coaching Club American Oaks. The major-league 3-year-old filly contest was run at different distances early, but has remained a constant at 1 1/4 miles since 1917. It's a safe bet anyone with a good sophomore filly would love few things more than adding the Alabama to their win column. As with most races this old, a few years were skipped owing to various circumstances, but history has recorded 141 individual winners of the Alabama. How have they fared as broodmares?

Several Alabama winners through the years also won the GI Test S., GI CCA Oaks, GI Diana S., or GIII Schuylerville S.; please see those previous profiles for notes on broodmare phenomenons Sky Beauty, November Snow, Tempted, Busanda, Vagrancy, and Cleopatra. Following are the some of the other most important Alabama winners by what impact they have had on the breed through their sons and daughters.

Pretty Discreet (1992, Private Account–Pretty Persuasive, by Believe It): Her three stakes winners were all colts–GISWs Discreet Cat and Discreetly Mine, as well as MSW & MGISP Pretty Wild–and her three daughters to stay in this country are all stakes producers. She is also the granddam of GISW Awesome Maria, who sold for $4 million at the 2013 Keeneland November sale, and June 9 Astoria S. winner Devious Dame, the first black-type winner for freshman sire Girvin.

Heavenly Prize (1991, Seeking the Gold–Oh What a Dance, by Nijinsky II): One would expect a mare descended from Blitey and Lady Pitt to do great things and Heavenly Prize held up her end of the bargain. Her sons included MGISW Good Reward and GSW Pure Prize, while her descendants thus far include GISWs Persistently, Queen Goddess, and Instilled Regard, plus GSW & MGISP Stays in Vegas.

Versailles Treaty (1988, Danzig–Ten Cents a Dance, by Buckpasser): GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner George Vancouver is out of this mare, as is GII Remsen S. winner and GI Met Mile runner-up Saarland. Her daughters and granddaughters have produced GISW Mongolian Groom, MGSW Dragon Bay, and several other stakes performers.

Maplejinsky (1985, Nijinsky II–Gold Beauty, by Mr. Prospector): Her daughter, Sky Beauty, won the Alabama and the CCA Oaks in 1993, was named champion older mare in 1994, and captured a total of nine Grade I races before producing MGSW Hurricane Cat and a daughter who would later be granddam of GISW Violence. Maplejinsky didn't stop there. Other daughters and granddaughters have produced MGISWs Guarana, Point of Entry, Pine Island, and Tale of Ekati, as well as GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Pleasant Home and a slew of other high-quality stakes winners. Her great-granddaughter Magical World sold for $5.2 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale, while Magical World's daughter Guarana brought $4.4 million at the same sale.

MG1SW State of Rest traces to 1979 Alabama winner It's in the Air | Sarah Andrew

It's in the Air (1976, Mr. Prospector–A Wind Is Rising, by Francis S.): This mare, often remembered as her sire's first of many champions, has had some very significant activity among her female descendants in the last year. Her MGISW granddaughter, Music Note, produced the 2021 G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide, while another unraced granddaughter is the dam of 2021 GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. winner State of Rest (Ire), who is also a G1 winner in England, France, and Australia. Other GI/G1 winners produced by her daughters include Musical Chimes and Storming Home (GB).

Lauries Dancer (1968, Northern Dancer–Its Ann, by Royal Gem II {Aus}): Although she didn't produce a stakes winner, this Canadian Horse of Year's daughters and granddaughters have produced MGISWs Will's Way and Tizway, as well as GISW Willa On the Move, and GISP and excellent Maryland sire Citidancer.

Fanfreluche (1967, Northern Dancer–Ciboulette, by Chop Chop): This Canadian Horse of the Year, even more famous for her abduction than for her race record, was also a remarkable producer with long-reaching influence on multiple continents. Honored as Canadian Broodmare of the Year in 1978, her own foals included two-time Canadian Horse of the Year and U.S. GISW L'Enjoleur, additional Canadian champions La Voyageuse and Medaille d'Or, GSW D'Accord, and MSW Grand Luxe. Her female-line descendants have thus far included French highweight and multiple G1SW Holy Roman Emperor (Ire), as well as European G1SWs Majestic Roi and Erupt (Ire); U.S. GISWs Aube Indienne (Fr) and Combatant; Australian G1SWs Russian Revolution (Aus), Flying Spur (Aus), Encosta de Lago (Aus), and Duais (Aus); and New Zealand G1SW Sherwood Forest (Aus).

Natashka (1963, Dedicate–Natasha, by Nasrullah {GB}): Named Broodmare of the Year in 1981, Natashka sports a long list of black-type winners tracing to her, including leading U.S. sire Elusive Quality and a number of champions.

High Bid (1956, To Market–Stepping Stone, by Princequillo {GB}): This Wheatley/Phipps mare is on this list for one very sound reason. Her first foal was Bold Bidder, not only a champion on the racetrack, but sire and broodmare sire of several luminaries. His two Kentucky Derby winners in a six-year span included one considered among the Top 10 runners of the 1900s: Horse of the Year Spectacular Bid.

Coolmore stallion Wootton Bassett is a descendant of 1931 Alabama winner Risque | Coolmore Stud

Parlo (1951, Heliopolis {GB}–Fairy Palace, by Pilate): Her daughters included 1969 Broodmare of the Year All Beautiful, who produced Horse of the Year Arts and Letters and is great-granddam of dual champion and five-time GISW Silverbulletday.

Salaminia (1937, Man o' War–Alcibiades, by Supremus): A number of stakes winners trace to this daughter of Man o' War, none more notable than English Horse of the Year and excellent sire Sir Ivor. He lives on particularly through his daughters, although his sire son, Sir Tristram (Ire), redefined the breed in Australia and New Zealand.

Risque (1928, Stimulus–Risky, by Diadumenos {GB}): 1980 Broodmare of the Year Key Bridge traces to her, as does U.S. Horse of the Year Fort Marcy and Canadian Horses of the Year Izvestia and With Approval. Champion Key to the Mint, MGISW Touch Gold, and excellent European sire Wootton Bassett (GB) are just a few on the long list of other high-class descendants of Risque.

Escutcheon (1927, Sir Gallahad III {Fr}–Affection {Fr}, by Isidor {GB}): In addition to producing Kentucky Oaks winner Mars Shield, this mare is the ancestress of Broodmares of the Year Levee and Delta, champions Shuvee, Slew o' Gold, Bayou, Smart Deb, Talking Picture, Sacahuista, Playful Act (Ire)–and many more.

Malachite (1913, Rock Sand {GB}–Miss Hanover, by Hanover): A number of stakes performers trace to this mare, most importantly 1943 Horse of the Year and Triple Crown winner Count Fleet. He was ranked among the leading sires and broodmare sires in the country for many years.

Sallie McClelland (1888, Hindoo–Red and Blue, by Alarm): This wonderful producer of yesteryear is the dam of 1904 Kentucky Oaks winner Audience and ancestress of Horses of the Year Whisk Broom II and Crusader, as well as dual champion Top Flight.

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“Not by us,” Asmussen said, shaking his head.

Asmussen promptly made the case for the 4-year-old filly, a Stonestreet Stables homebred daughter of Cavorting (Bernardini), who will seek her third win in four starts this year in the GII Shuvee S. Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

“She's a multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire by one of the greatest horses of all time out of one of the greatest horses of all time,” he said. “I do not believe Clairiere has ever been underappreciated or ever will be underappreciated. Because of who she is, she's more than a little special.”

Cavorting, a former 'TDN Rising Star' trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, won six graded stakes, three of them Grade I, and earned just north of $2 million.

The nine-furlong Shuvee will be the fifth round of the cross-country series between Shadwell Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) and Clairiere, both of whom were bred by Stonestreet. Malathaat finished in front of Clairiere in each of their three meetings as 3-year-olds–the GI Kentucky Oaks and the GI CCA Oaks and GI Alabama S. at this track–but Clairiere prevailed in their most recent showdown, winning the GI Ogden Phipps by a head June 11.

“It was where she finally turned the tables on the champion, Malathaat, the deserved 3-year-old filly champion last year,” Asmussen said. “We competed well against her, but did not come out on the right side of it. Obviously, things have changed now.”

In the 1 1/16 mile, one-turn Phipps, which was part of the GI Belmont S. program, Malathaat and Clairiere sat far back off the torrid pace set by champion Letruska (Super Saver) and Search Results (Flatter). They launched their rallies pretty much in tandem approaching the half-mile pole, ran past the tiring Letruska at the top of stretch and caught Search Results inside the sixteenth pole. Malathaat had a slight lead, but Clairiere finished just a bit better under Joel Rosario.

Asmussen said her talent has always been evident–carrying her to a 5-4-2 record and $1,799,592 in earnings in her 13 career starts–and feels that she is getting better.

“She is first class all the way. Always has been. Never been anything but,” he said. “First time out,  two turns, broke her maiden against an eventual graded stakes winner and has never done anything but keep the best company. I do think that with maturity she has broken through to a new level.”

Asmussen noted that Clairiere is the top-ranked female in the weekly NTRA poll, putting her at the top of the division.

Despite her sterling record, because she has consistently been in top races–seven of them Grade I–Clairiere has only been the favorite twice. She won both, the GI Cotillion S. in September, and her season-opener, a stakes-quality optional claimer in March at the Fair Grounds.

In addition to Malathaat, Clairiere is likely to face two other millionaires, Bonny South (Munnings) and 'Rising Star' Crazy Beautiful (Liam's Map) in the $200,000 race for older fillies and mares that is on the undercard of the GI Coaching Club American Oaks. Together, those four have earned over $5.9 million and won 13 graded stakes, five of them Grade I.

“It's Saratoga,” Asmussen said. “It's the best in the world.”

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“None,” he said.

After the 'TDN Rising Star', owned by Phoenix Thoroughbred III, rebounded from an uncharacteristic poor performance in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks with a pair of impressive wins, McPeek aimed her for Saratoga's two big races for 3-year-old fillies. That plan was scuttled the evening of opening day, July 15, when the horses in Barn 86, which McPeek's stable shares with Jorge Abreu, were placed under a 21-day quarantine. The ban on racing and limits on training were put in place when an unnamed, unraced 2-year-old filly trained by Abreu tested positive for equine herpesvirus.

Though none of McPeek's horses had any issues, he was prohibited from entering them in any races until early August. That meant Crazy Beautiful had to pass the Coaching Club on July 24 and GI Runhappy Travers S. prospect King Fury (Curlin) missed the GII Jim Dandy S. on July 31.

Crazy Beautiful, winner of half of her 10 career starts, has trained up to the historic Alabama, the 1 1/4-mile test that is the companion to the Travers. The Alabama will be her first start since a smashing six-length victory in the GIII Delaware Oaks July 3. During a phone interview from France where he was attending the Arqana sale, McPeek said Crazy

Beautiful is ready for the Alabama.

“I think she's doing well,” McPeek said. “I thought she would have run well in the Coaching Club, but, of course, that didn't happen. She's doing super and we're excited about it.”

This season, Crazy Beautiful was on what was roughly a once-a-month racing schedule. She started the campaign at Gulfstream Park with a second in the Feb. 27 GII Davona Dale S. and won the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks Mar. 27. Following her 10th in the Kentucky Oaks, McPeek sent her to California, where she won the GII Summertime Oaks under Mike Smith May 30. Smith, who was up for the Delaware Oaks, has a commitment at Del Mar  and will be replaced by Jose Ortiz. The break between the Delaware Oaks and the Alabama is 49 days.

“I think the added time is going to help her, probably,” McPeek said. “And I do think that she will run big. She's done everything right all year. We've shipped around and done a lot of good stuff with her. She's won three out of her last four. The Alabama would be a home run for her.”

In the Alabama, Crazy Beautiful is expected to face Kentucky Oaks winner and division leader and fellow 'Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) as well as Maracuja (Honor Code), who handed Malathaat her first career loss in the CCA Oaks. Also expected to enter are Army Wife (Declaration of War), Clairiere (Curlin), Played Hard (Into Mischief) and Will's Secret (Will Take Charge).

McPeek won the Alabama last year with Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) and the 2018 running with Eskimo Kisses (To Honor and Serve). The last trainer to win the Alabama in consecutive years was Todd Pletcher with Princess of Sylmar (Majestic Warrior) in 2013 and Stopchargingmaria (Tale of the Cat) in 2014. The last trainer to win the race three times in four years was Oscar White (1949-51-52) with horses owned by Walter Jeffords. According to Equibase, McPeek has won with two of his four starters.

Crazy Beautiful is out of Indian Burn (Indian Charlie) and was purchased as a yearling in 2019 at Fasig-Tipton October for $250,000. She is McPeek's first purchase for Phoenix and the syndicate's top earner.

All three of Crazy Beautiful's wins this year have been at 1 1/16 miles. The Kentucky Oaks, her lone try past 8 1/2 furlongs, was her worst finish.

“It was a terrible trip,” McPeek said. “She got off awkward and bumped in and never really got up into the race,” McPeek said. “I think it was a bit of a toss. I think she is certainly better than that. Hopefully she makes amends. We'd like to get a Grade I with her. She's done everything else.”

With all the traveling she has done, running her 10 races at six tracks and with wins at four tracks, McPeek said a victory over Malathaat in the Alabama could put the one-run filly in contention for the division title.

“It's a huge race, the Alabama,” he said. “and you'd have to put her, certainly, in the mix for champion 3-year-old filly, if she pulls it off.”

The post McPeek Bullish On Crazy Beautiful In Alabama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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