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Pick-Up Mounts Help Reyes Achieve Five-Win Day At Gulfstream

Jockey Leonel Reyes rode five winners on Sunday's program at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., while continuing to build momentum during the Spring/Summer Meet.

The two-time Venezuelan champion, who had missed several months due to injury, scored back-to-back wins aboard So Long Chuck ($5) in Race 2 and Thunder Ride ($6.40) in Race 3. Reyes also scored aboard a pair of pick-up mounts, Pont Du Gard ($7.60) in Race 5 and Panarea ($3.40) in Race 8. He finished off his big day with a front-running score aboard Moon Pistol ($6) in Race 10.

Reyes broke his right wrist and his jaw in a spill at Gulfstream Park West in early November at a time when he was atop the jockey standings. The 33-year-old Reyes, who rode more than 1,400 winners in Venezuela before venturing to the U.S. in 2016, has ridden 43 winners, including a pair of recent stakes winners, during the Spring/Summer Meet to climb into a three-way tie for fifth in the standings after a slow start.

Reyes' third and fourth winners of the day came aboard mounts that became available when leading rider Edgard Zayas took off his remaining mounts due to a sore left ankle following a gate incident in Sunday's Race 4. Zayas' mount, Emma Rose was declared a non-starter following a stewards' review of the start of the maiden special weight race for fillies and mares.

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Overseas Buyers Barred From Attending Tattersalls Ireland Derby, May Store Sales Due To COVID-19

As previously announced, Tattersalls Ireland, HRI, ITM and Goffs submitted protocols to NPHET (National Public Health Emergency Team) to allow overseas purchasers to attend the sales in Ireland. Because of the increased level of new cases, and a concern in relation to the spread of COVID-19, we have been informed that permission to use the protocols to bring in overseas purchasers has not been granted, therefore the current guidelines regarding travel to Ireland will apply for both the Derby Sale and May Store Sale.

Both the Derby Sale and May Store Sale will take place at Fairyhouse as planned and the Tattersalls Ireland team will be available to assist those buyers now unable to attend the sales in any way possible. We will maximize the number of videos available of the stores in the sales, and buyers will be able to participate through the new live internet bidding platform or through telephone bidding via the Tattersalls Ireland team.

Commenting on the update Tattersalls Ireland CEO Matt Mitchell said:

“Naturally we are disappointed that our joint submission to government has not been approved, but we fully respect the decision and will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that the Derby and May Store Sales run as smoothly as possible. While the sales will take place under strict protocols, we will be working tirelessly to assist purchasers in any way we can, in particular those who cannot be present due to the travel constraints. We regret not being able to welcome to Fairyhouse our overseas purchasers whose loyalty has being rewarded with purchases that consistently deliver on the track. While the circumstances are difficult, we believe they are not insurmountable and our new live internet bidding platform and telephone bidding facilities will be at the disposal of all those unable to attend the sales.”

Brian Kavanagh, HRI Chief Executive added:

“Like many other sectors, COVID-19 is having a serious impact on all aspects of our business and the international travel consequences are becoming ever more complicated. While some potential purchasers may not be able to attend in person, the current situation requires us to be as creative as possible and through Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Horse Racing Ireland will assist Tattersalls Ireland and their international buyers in any way we can.”

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Prat Tests Positive For COVID-19 After Returning From Keeneland

Leading Southern California jockey Flavien Prat was taken off mounts at Del Mar on Sunday after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day.

Prat arrived back in the San Diego area after riding six races at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday and was required to be tested under Del Mar protocols for jockeys who travel out of town. He was given a nasal swab test by Scripps Hospital in La Jolla and notified a couple of hours later he had contracted the virus, according to his agent, Derek Lawson. Track officials said Prat was at Del Mar when he was contacted by Scripps personnel but had not arrived at the jockeys' room yet.

Prat will be be sidelined a minimum of 10 days from Monday, according to track officials, meaning he could return as soon as July 24, provided he has no symptoms.

Del Mar officials said all jockeys and jockeys' room personnel will be tested prior to the next day of racing on Friday, July 17.

Prat is the fourth jockey to ride the July 4 card at Los Alamitos in Cypress, Calif., who since tested positive for COVID-19. On July 8, Martin Garcia was required to be tested in order to ride at Indiana Grand and came up positive. He had ridden at Ellis Park July 2, Los Alamitos July 3-4 and Prairie Meadows July 5.

On July 10, Luis Saez was taken off mounts at Keeneland after a test from the previous day was positive.

Saez flew to California to ride Uncle Chuck to victory for Bob Baffert in the Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby on July 4, then rode the July 5 card at Belmont Park. He was required to be tested by New York Racing Association officials prior to riding July 5 and tested negative. Saez then rode at Indiana Grand on July 8, at Keeneland on July 9, then rode the second race at Keeneland on July 10 before being notified of his positive test and removed from his remaining mounts.

Espinoza was tested after experiencing flu-like symptoms early in the week and was taken off mounts on Del Mar's opening day, July 10. He learned that evening he was positive for COVID-19.

“It is encouraging that in both cases our protocols worked,” Del Mar CEO Joe Harper said of Prat and Espinoza's positive tests. “We will continue to be vigilant to ensure the safety of the people who work here and live in our community.”

A July 2 article from the Harvard Medical School explains that testing for COVID-19 is not foolproof.

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Ghaiyyath Tops Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings; Tiz The Law Highest-Ranked Dirt 3-Year-Old

International galloper Ghaiyyath (IRE) [127], who has been a perfect three-for-three in his races this year, leads the first edition of the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2020.

Ghaiyyath started his season with an eye-catching performance in the Dubai Millennium Stakes Sponsored by Jaguar (G3), which he won by 8 ½ lengths at Meydan. The 5-year-old completed the 2000 metre contest in 2:00.33, setting a new track record in the process.

He returned to Europe for his next start and continued his winning ways, taking the Hurworth Bloodstock Coronation Cup (G1) over Anthony Van Dyck (IRE) [121] and Stradivarius (IRE) [125]. Ghaiyyath then earned his rating of 127 in his most recent race, a 2 ¼-length win over Enable and Japan (GB) [122] in the Coral-Eclipse (G1).

Stradivarius was making his 2020 debut in the Coronation Cup. His next start came at Royal Ascot, and he turned the Gold Cup (G1) into a runaway, as he posted a 10-length victory to get his rating of 125. It was the third time Stradivarius, who ended 2019 as the highest rated stayer in the world, claimed the famed race.

Ranked co-third are Japanese champion Almond Eye (JPN) [124] and Australia's Nature Strip (AUS) [124]. Almond Eye made her first start of the year in the Victoria Mile (G1) and won by four lengths to earn her rating. Nature Strip received his 124 after sprinting to a two-length score in the TJ Smith Stakes (G1), which he won after taking the Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes (G2) earlier in the year.

Lord North (IRE) [123] and Tom's d'Etat (USA) [123] are in the co-fifth position. Lord North started his year with a victory in the Betway Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3) before impressing 10 days later with a 3 ¾ length win over Addeybb (IRE) [122] in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. Addeybb came into that contest off of victories in the Ranvet Stakes (G1) and LONGINES Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) in Australia. Tom's d'Etat, meanwhile, is the highest rated dirt horse in the world after his 4 ¼ length victory in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

In addition to Addeybb and Japan, three other horses are ranked as co-seventh with an equal rating of 122. Hong Kong's champion Beauty Generation (NZ) [122] added the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (G1) and Chairman's Trophy (G2) to his list of accomplishments this year; Contrail (JPN) [122] is the highest rated 3-year-old colt in the world after winning the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (G1) and Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1) to remain undefeated; and LOVE (IRE) [122] is the highest rated 3-year-old filly in the world after conquering all to win the Investec Oaks (G1) by nine lengths following her 4 ¼-length victory in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas Stakes (G1).

The highest rated 3-year-old on dirt is Tiz the Law (USA) [121], who won the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) by 3 3/4 lengths after wins in the Curlin Florida Derby (G1) and Holy Bull Stakes (G3).

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