Schnell Meister Requires Very Best For Yasuda Kinen

Having gone excruciatingly close in the last two renewals of the G1 Yasuda Kinen, Sunday Racing's Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) takes a third crack at Japan's premier spring mile event, a 'Win and You're In' challenge race for the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita in early November.

The bay, one of 10 elite-level winner in the field, defeated Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup over this course and distance two years ago and was narrowly beaten by champion Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in this race his next start. He found Songline just a neck too good 12 months ago and was well below par for the remainder of his 4-year-old campaign, but he hinted at a return to form with a close fourth in the G2 Nakayama Kinen over 1800 metres Feb. 26 and most recently cut back to the mile for a victory in the G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup Apr. 23, with Gaia Force (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and Soul Rush (Jpn) not far away in second and third. Christophe Lemaire, who took the 2018 Yasuda Kinen aboard Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}), will need to work out a trip from barrier 14.

“As a 5-year-old, he's more mature now,” said trainer Takahisa Tezuka. “He runs well at Tokyo, so returning to the track this time makes conditions good for him and he has a chance to win. Things to consider will be the ground and the weather before the race and on the day, as I would like him to run on good ground.”

The Milers Cup also-rans figure to be well-fancied here as well, as Gaia Force was trying the mile for the first time, while Soul Rush has shown he can hold his own at this level.

 

 

 

Songline also carries the Sunday Racing colours and will need to overcome gate 18 if she is to become the first Yasuda Kinen repeater since Vodka (Jpn) (Tamino Gimlet {Jpn}) in 2008-2009. She's raced only sparingly since, finishing fifth to Meikei Yell (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) in the G2 Centaur S. (1200m) last September and 10th to compatriot Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in defence of her title in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia in February. She bounced back last time to just touch off fan favourite Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) in the G1 Victoria Mile over track and trip May 14.

“She has not only kept her condition since her last race, but she also seems to have improved for it,” trainer Toru Hayashi said of Songline. “It's the same concept as last year with these two races, and we're seeing the real Songline. With another strong field this time, and even after winning the Victoria Mile, I still think she's a challenger again here. I'm hoping she can run another strong race.”

Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) ran home strongly to be fourth while facing his elders here last June and closed the season with a smart 1 1/4-length success in the G1 Mile Championship. The chestnut has one run under his belt this season, a meritorious fourth behind the three-peating Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf over a nine-furlong trip that might be a bit longer than optimal. Derby-winning jockey Damian Lane retains the call.

Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), whose sire won this in 2015, is the likely leader from gate three for Yutaka Take. The flashy chestnut, who has raced exclusively over the 2000 metres to this point in his career, took a thrilling running of the G2 Sapporo Kinen over Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) last August and was at his front-running best when landing the G1 Osaka Hai on his seasonal return Apr. 2

 

 

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Dickinson Honored With Galbreath Award

The University of Louisville Equine Industry Program has named Michael Dickinson the 33rd recipient of the John W. Galbreath Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship in the Equine Industry. In addition to training, Dickinson is also known for developing Tapeta Footings, the synthetic surface widely utilized for both racing and training.

Tapeta has been installed at Turfway Park in Kentucky and at Gulfstream Park in Florida, Golden Gate Fields in California and Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania, as well as facilities in Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

“I am honored and flattered to receive the Galbreath Award,” Dickinson said. “The safety of the horse has always been a long-term goal of mine ever since I was a child when on small ponies I had to keep up with my mother, who was on a Grade A international show jumper. We used to jump post and rail fences, some with ditches and drops, and stone walls. Since then, I've always felt very grateful and indebted to all the horses I rode.”

A native of Yorkshire, England, Dickinson is perhaps best known as the conditioner of 1996 and 1998 GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Da Hoss (Gone West). He was a champion steeplechase jockey before becoming a trainer, is a member of the Steeplechasing Hall of Fame and has four listings in the Guinness Book of World Records, including the record for the most racing wins [12] in one day. Dickinson owns and operates Tapeta Farm training center in Maryland.

“We are excited to present the 2022 Galbreath Award to Michael Dickinson for his contribution to the sport of racing through the creation of Tapeta and synthetic track surfaces,” K. Amy Lawyer, assistant professor and chair of UofL's Department of Equine Administration, said. “The nature of the Galbreath Award is to recognize innovation and business efforts that move the equine industry forward. Mr. Dickinson's business achievements added a new element to a sport that had been largely unchanged for centuries.”

The Galbreath Award is named for the late John W. Galbreath, a self-made man who distinguished himself in both business and as a horseman. The Darby Dan Farm founder was honored with the 1972 Big Sport of Turfdom Award and in 1974 he won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2018 as one of its esteemed Pillars of the Turf.

For information on the award presentation dinner to honor Dickinson to be held Mar. 30, contact Kimberly Spear at kimberly.spear@louisville.edu or 502-852-7727.

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Tourist to Relocate to Rockridge Stud in New York

Tourist (Tiznow–Unbridled Melody by Unbridled's Song), a multiple Grade I-stakes winner with earnings of $2,170,340 and the record holder for the fastest time in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, is relocating to Rockridge Stud in Hudson, NY for the 2023 season. A half-brother to GSP Michael With Us (Bluegrass Cat) and SW Harlan's Harmony (Spring at Last), he previously stood at WinStar Farm in Kentucky.

“He was getting overlooked, and some of the partners felt the move to New York would maximize his income potential with New York stallion awards,” says Rockridge Stud's Lere Visagie. “The partners who are staying in are planning to buy mares to give him a strong start.”

The sire of six stakes horses in 2022, including stakes-winners Carpenters Call–who also established a new track record in the Peach Street S.—and I Can Run, Tourist will stand for a fee of $3,500 in 2023. His 2-year-old colt Mo Tourist was most recently third in the GIII Grey S. at Woodbine last Saturday, and Tourist is also the sire of GISP Tango Tango Tango. This is the female family of dual Japanese champion Hishi Akebono (Woodman) and MG1SW, Japanese multimillionaire turned globetrotting sire Agnes World (Danzig) and GISP Unbridled Express (Unbridled's Song).

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Brown Tweets Domestic Spending Update

Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who was eased out of last Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Mile at the halfway point and later diagnosed with a fractured pelvis, “continues to do well” trainer Chad Brown tweeted Tuesday afternoon.

After being vanned back to the Brown barn on the Keeneland backstretch, Domestic Spending was stabilized and later transported to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital with a police escort. On Sunday, Brown surmised on Twitter that the incident occurred at the break and worsened until Flavien Prat was able to get him pulled up near the half-mile pole.

In his Tuesday update, Brown tweeted: “He is comfortable, bright and has a great appetite. We are optimistic to release him next week to our local farm where we are committed to provide him with a pampered life in beautiful pastures.”

Owned by Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables, Domestic Spending won the GI Hollywood Derby and Saratoga Derby Invitational as a 3-year-old before adding victories in the GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (dead-heat) and GI Manhattan S. last season. He was making his first start since finishing runner-up in a paceless renewal of the GI Mr. D S. (formerly Arlington Million) in August 2021.

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