Romantic Warrior Front and Centre In Hong Kong Gold Cup

Seven times has Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) gone to post over the 2000 metres at Sha Tin Racecourse and on six of those occasions, he has proved victorious, more times than not in convincing fashion. His lone blemish over the course and distance came in the 2023 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, when he was run down close home by multiple Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) as the odds-on pop, but barring something unforeseen, Romantic Warrior should be righting that wrong against 10 others in this year's Gold Cup Sunday afternoon.

It has been a carefully managed season thus far for Romantic Warrior, who likely was in need of the run when fourth in the G1 Turnbull S. in Melbourne before just prevailing in the G1 Cox Plate three weeks later. Despite a six-week turnaround and a period of quarantine once returning from Australia, Romantic Warrior outlasted the nails-tough Luxembourg (Ire) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup Dec. 10.

A victory Sunday would complete the set of Hong Kong features over the mile and a quarter, which also includes the 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby and last year's G1 FWD QE II Cup. He would join the likes of Vengeance of Rain (NZ) and Designs On Rome (Ire) should he do so.

“He's very good. He's happy, healthy and in good form. Hugh Bowman gave a very positive report to me,” said trainer Danny Shum following a Tuesday gallop on the grass. James McDonald will be in from Australia for the ride.

The Kiwi was aboard Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) when he registered a maiden Group 1 success in the Stewards' Cup going a mile Jan. 21 and stretches back out to 10 furlongs for the first time since causing a 45-1 upset in last year's Hong Kong Derby. A good performance could lead to an appearance in the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan in five weeks' time.

Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) took advantage of Romantic Warrior's absence to defeat Sword Point (Aus) (American Pharoah) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup in November and was a troubled fourth, beaten under a length, in the Hong Kong Cup. The 5-year-old returns to level weights after carrying 135 pounds to a third-place effort behind Nimble Nimbus (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) and Five G Patch (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the G3 Centenary Vase H. Feb. 4.

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Derby Museum To Honor D. Wayne Lukas With Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

Edited Press Release

The Kentucky Derby Museum has named Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas as the inaugural recipient of the Kentucky Derby Museum's Lifetime Achievement Award. With Lukas in attendance at the Derby 150 Birthday Tribute Dinner, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 11 at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Lukas has achieved remarkable success, including four GI Kentucky Derby victories. His unparalleled dedication to the sport and influence on countless individuals in the racing community make him a deserving recipient of the Museum's first award.

In response to the announcement, Lukas shared his appreciation, saying, “I am deeply honored to receive the Kentucky Derby Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with incredible horses and talented individuals. Looking back, I get the greatest satisfaction from seeing the young people, who have been with me through thick and thin, come through our program and achieve their own great successes. The Kentucky Derby Museum has been instrumental in documenting and sharing the joy of racing with the world, and I extend my sincere thanks to the Museum for this prestigious honor.”

Entrance to the Kentucky Derby Museum | Kentucky Derby Museum

Patrick Armstrong, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum expressed his gratitude for Lukas' significant contributions, stating, “D. Wayne Lukas is a true icon in horse racing, and his legacy is woven into the fabric of the Kentucky Derby. We are honored to recognize his unparalleled achievements and lasting impact with the first-ever Kentucky Derby Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. His support for the Museum has been invaluable, and we are thrilled to celebrate his remarkable career.”

Attendees will also be the first to watch the premiere of a brand-new Derby 150 film, “Down The Stretch,” which will play in conjunction with the Museum's feature, “The Greatest Race”, through 2024.

Click here for more information.

 

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Jim McKay Maryland Million Day Set For Oct. 12

The 38th edition of Jim McKay Maryland Million Day will take place Saturday, Oct. 12 at Laurel Park, the organization that puts on the event said in Friday release.

Jim McKay Maryland Million Day, Maryland's Day at the Races, is designed to promote Maryland stallions, whose offspring compete in the races with purses and awards of over $1 million each year.

“Jim McKay Maryland Million Day, now known as Maryland's Day at the Races, celebrates Maryland's horse industry,” said Maryland Million executive director Cricket Goodall.
We have a an exciting race card and also welcome families and new fans. Every winner that day has a great story to tell. And the on-track entertainment between the races showcases all kinds of horse activities with a special kids area by the paddock.”

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Letter To The Editor: White Turf Dispatch From The Cashmere Club

Operation Cashmere Club's assault on the White Turf of St. Moritz under the leadership of Generals Bromagen, Restrepo and Scherer began with a two-pronged attack, the primary force descending from Zurich in the North and a secondary force coming up from Milano in the South. The combined force of 70 plus Americans, Canadians, Irish, English and French converged upon the Hotel Kempinski Bar at 18:30 hours Thursday.

In the face of such overwhelming odds the Kempinski Bar offered no resistance. The pattern continued Friday with a daytime assault on The Paradiso completely depleting its stores of champagne, rose' and lobster. Activities were renewed Friday evening with Kings Social Club at Badrutt's Palace subjugated until 04:30 Saturday.

The White Turf race | Davant Latham

The disappointing news of racing being canceled due to unsafe surface conditions did not lessen the esprit d'corp of this expeditionary force, however it did call for a change of tactics. The force was divided into smaller groups and successful forays continued on the slopes, among the tents on the racecourse, in the shopping district and at the Segantini Museum. Saturday evening a White Turf Reception for racing owners was held, where our forces were welcomed and invited to return. Our force has vowed to return in our pursuit of the ultimate goal, the Grosser Preis St. Moritz.

–The Cashmere Club

P.S. Although an initial effort led by General Restrepo against the Dracula Club was repulsed, a later commando effort was successful in breaching its high security and infiltrating the objective. The secrets of the Dracula Club are now known but highly classified and not available to the general public.

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