Breeders' Cup | Horse Racing Free Tips

Seth Merrow Joins Bettor Things with Joe Bianca

On this week's episode of Bettor Things with Joe Bianca, the host welcomes Seth Merrow, a public handicapper for the industry-leading Capital OTB channel and administrator of Equidaily, a popular racing news aggregation and handicapping site. Merrow talks about growing up a half-hour from Saratoga and the way he's seen the track change over the years, the challenges of being a public handicapper, the current state of racing journalism and more.

In his Breeders' Cup handicapping segment, Bianca lays out plays for Saturday's GII FanDuel Turf Sprint S. and GII Kentucky Cup Turf S. at Kentucky Downs, two Win and You're In challenge qualifying races for the Breeders' Cup. See below to watch the show. Click here to listen to the audio version at the TDN, or find it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The post Seth Merrow Joins Bettor Things with Joe Bianca appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Irish Champion Stakes: Mishriff, Vadeni Top Seven Entered For ‘Win And You’re In’ Contest

After a thrilling season on the flat the best could be yet to come, with Saturday seeing the 46th running of the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.

The Leopardstown showpiece headlines the first day of Champions Weekend, with a €1million prize pot on the line as well as a berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf this November at Keeneland.

After final declarations for the Group One were made on Thursday, Paddy Twomey's talented filly La Petite Coco was the most notable absentee, but it remains a field stacked with quality.

Here are the seven remaining runners and riders for the big one on Saturday:

1 – Alenquer (Trainer: William Haggas; jockey: Tom Marquand)

The French-bred Tattersalls Gold Cup winner will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing run in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown earlier this summer.

Along with stablemate Maljoom, he was struck down by a virus that led to him withdrawing from the Juddmonte International in August.

Now back at full health, there is no reason this talented colt can't pose a serious threat if he can show the sort of form on display at the Curragh back in May.

2 – Broome (Aidan O'Brien; Wayne Lordan)

One of three for Aidan O'Brien in Saturday's feature, Broome faces a quick return to action on this side of the Atlantic after finishing fourth in the Grade One Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga only two weeks ago.

His biggest triumph so far came in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot, Broome staying on strongly and making light work of the heavily fancied Hurricane Lane. This will be a step-up in class but there is no reason he cannot bridge the gap.

He may not grab as much attention pre-race as the other Ballydoyle hopes but should not be discounted.

3 – Mishriff (John and Thady Gosden; Colin Keane)

One of the big contenders having already built a first-class reputation and amassed a huge amount of prize money in winning the Saudi Cup, Dubai Sheema Classic and French Derby.

The mile-and-a-quarter trip should prove right up his ally and he was only beaten by the great Baaeed in the Juddmonte International Stakes last time out, hardly a black mark.

Mishriff may need a bit of luck with the weather forecast in Dublin, as his best performances do tend to come on the quicker ground.

4 – Luxembourg (Aidan O'Brien; Ryan Moore)

Impressed on his return to action when winning the Group Three Royal Whip Stakes last month after a rocky patch.

Unbeaten as a two-year-old, before his colours were lowered in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket by Coroebus, later missing the Epsom Derby with an injury after previously being favourite.

This will be a huge test of his credentials but O'Brien is the most successful trainer in the contest's history and has won the last three renewals.

“We were very happy with him going into the Royal Whip,” said the trainer. “But we knew there would be a lot more improvement to come.

“We were delighted with what he did in the race and how he's come out of it.”

5 – Onesto (Fabrice Chappet; Stephane Pasquier)

The first of two French challengers, connections for Onesto will be quietly confident as he appears to improve with every run.

Landmark victory came on his last run in the Group One Grand Prix De Paris, two furlongs further than this, but Saturday will be his first challenge outside of France.

Trainer Fabrice Chappet is eyeing up a tilt at the Arc three weeks later, presuming all goes well at Leopardstown.

6 – Stone Age (Aidan O'Brien; Seamie Heffernan)

Stone Age was the choice of Ryan Moore when finishing sixth in the Epsom Derby back in June.

Since then he has produced two fairly standard runs over in the States, but did win on both outings at home this year, including the Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.

If he can bring that sort of form he could pose a threat to stablemate Luxembourg.

7 – Vadeni (Jean-Claude Rouget; Christophe Soumillon)

Another French star taking his first steps on Irish soil.

But unlike Onesto, Vadeni has an overseas win on his CV with a sensational triumph in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on his last outing.

The son of Churchill will be looking to continue his red-hot form in 2022, having also easily won the French Derby at Chantilly back in June. Based on this year alone, he could be the one to beat.

He could become Jean-Claude Rouget's second Champion Stakes winner after Almanzor won in 2016.

The post Irish Champion Stakes: Mishriff, Vadeni Top Seven Entered For ‘Win And You’re In’ Contest appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Hronis: ‘Great Possibility’ Flightline Will Race Next Year As A 5-Year-Old

Co-owner Kosta Hronis revealed on this week's Thoroughbred Daily News Writers' Room podcast that the undefeated Flightline could race on next year as a 5-year-old, rather than heading off to stud after the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Flightline has raced five times and won each start convincingly, including his latest tour de force in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. Trainer John Sadler plans to train the 4-year-old son of Tapit up to his next start, the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland in November.

The colt's other owners, Siena Farm, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Woodford Racing, will also have a say in whether or not Flightline races again after the World Championships. Hronis expressed that while he will listen to his partners' expertise, he would prefer to race Flightline next year.

“Just like with Stellar Wind, which we left on the track an extra year, just like with Accelerate, which worked out great after we decided to bring him back for another year, our philosophy has always been that they were born to be race horses,” Hronis told TDN. “Let's let them do what they want to do as long as they want to do it. I can't really give you a percentage when it comes to his running next year. You'd have to ask Flightline. But I really believe as long as he is healthy and happy with what he is doing and he still wants to go to the racetrack every day and be a part of this and he still wants to run the way he has been running, then I think there is a great possibility that we will see him next year as 5-year-old.”

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The post Hronis: ‘Great Possibility’ Flightline Will Race Next Year As A 5-Year-Old appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Hronis: “Great Possibility” Flightline Will Race Next Year

It appears that the door is open more than just a crack when it comes to whether or not racing's superstar Flightline (Tapit) will race next year as a 5-year-old. Appearing as the Green Group Guest of the Week on this week's Thoroughbred Daily News Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland, Kosta Hronis, a co-owner of Flightline, said there was a “great possibility” that Flightline would race in 2023 rather than beginning his stallion career.

“Just like with Stellar Wind (Curlin), which we left on the track an extra year, just like with Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky), which worked out great after we decided to bring him back for another year, our philosophy has always been that they were born to be race horses,” Hronis said, referring to two former stars that ran for Hronis Racing LLC. “Let's let them do what they want to do as long as they want to do it. I can't really give you a percentage when it comes to his running next year. You'd have to ask Flightline. But I really believe as long as he is healthy and happy with what he is doing and he still wants to go to the racetrack every day and be a part of this and he still wants to run the way he has been running, then I think there is a great possibility that we will see him next year as 5-year-old.”

Hronis added: “We're going to the Breeders' Cup, we'll come out of the race, see how we do and just go to the next step. I race horses, that's what I like to do. That is Hronis Racing. When it comes to their after-racing careers, we're not heavily into that.”

The situation is complicated by the fact that Hronis Racing LLC is one of just five entities that own a part of the horse. The others are Siena Farm LLC, Summer Wind Equine LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing, LLC. Hronis said that while he wants to see Flightline race next year, he will listen to the opinions Bill Farish of Woodford Racing and Jane Lyon of Summer Wind Farm. Lyon is also the breeder of Flightline.

“As far as me personally, I will defer to Bill Farish and Jane Lyon because they are the absolute experts when it comes to this,” he said. “I still consider myself to be kind of a newcomer. I've only been in the sport for 10, 11 years. As far as that second career for a horse, it's not something we are heavily involved in. As far as what happens on the racetrack, I defer to John Sadler. He is the man and he makes the decisions. As far as his second career, I will defer to Jane and Bill and let them call the shots and I will follow along. I will be a good partner.”

Yet, Hronis made it clear which way he is rooting.

“We'll keep our fingers crossed for Flightline to continue his career and to continue to be as successful as he has been,” he said. “He's good for horse racing and that's good for every owner in the country. I believe (Flightline running next year) might be the shot in the arm we need. So I really hope that we can continue this.”

Hronis also made a point of commending trainer John Sadler and exercise rider and assistant trainer Juan Leyva for the work they have done with Flightline. After his sensational 19 1/4-length win the in GI TVG Pacific Classic, Flightline is 5-for-5 lifetime and has never been challenged.

“John has done a great job with him in between races teaching him,” he said. “Him and Juan Leyva constantly teach him how to be a race horse and taught him how to go from six furlongs to a mile-and-a-quarter. I have to give them all the credit. The plan was laid out quite a long time ago and it has come to fruition. We have a great trainer. I have said this a few times: As blessed as we are to have Flightline, I think Flightline is really blessed to have John Sadler. He took his time, he didn't rush him and he taught him how to be a race horse.”

Elsewhere on the show–which is also sponsored by Coolmore, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, XBTV, West Point Thoroughbreds and Legacy Bloodstock–Joe Bianca, Bill Finley and guest host Randy Moss recapped closing weekend at Saratoga and, in the Weekend Preview presented by Three Chimneys, took a look at stellar race cards at Kentucky Downs and Del Mar.

Click here to watch the show.

Click here for the audio version.

The post Hronis: “Great Possibility” Flightline Will Race Next Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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