Knicks Go Heads Latest Longines WBRR

On the heels of his front-running, 2 3/4-length defeat of Medina Spirit (Protonico) in the Nov. 6 GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar, Korea Racing Authority's Knicks Go (Paynter) has been assigned a rating of 128 and sits atop the latest edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR).

With his victory in the $6-million centerpiece of Breeders' Cup weekend, the 5-year-old improved on his previous best ranking of 124. Knicks Go ranks one point higher than the trio of G1 Investec Derby/G1 King George & Queen Elizabeth S. hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}); Misriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), winner of the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic and G1 Juddmonte International S.; and the recently retired Cartier Horse of the Year St Marks Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), whose four Group 1 wins in 2021 include a latest defeat of Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal, 120) in the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown in September.

Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) moved into a tie for seventh on a rating of 124 after carrying his unbeaten streak to six with a neck defeat of Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}, 125) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on British Champions weekend at Ascot Oct. 16. The 3-year-old shares that position with the world's top-rated sprinter and reigning Australian Horse of the Year Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}), who took the lucrative The Everest at Randwick Oct. 16 ahead of a dominating 3 1/4-length success in the G1 Darley Sprint Classic at Flemington Nov. 6.

Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) has been given a rating of 123 for his gritty victory in the G1 QIPCO British Champion S., where he defeated 3-year-old Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) by three-quarters of a length. The latter is also ranked for the first time, having been given 121 for his Ascot efforts.

Also ranked for the first time is 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief), who thrashed his rivals in the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last Saturday and was given a rating of 123. His previous best was 120.

Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), this year's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) hero, improved his rating to 123 from 120 following his success in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo Oct. 31 where he had 2020 Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), 121) and Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), 121) immediately in his wake.

In Australia, Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) has been assigned a rating of 122 for her four-length victory over Incentivise (Aus) (Shamus Award {Aus}) in the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup, while State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) sits on 120 after his win in the G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Oct. 31.

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Notable US-Breds In Japan: Nov. 13 & 14, 2021

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Tokyo and Hanshin Racecourses. There is one Group 1 on each of the remaining seven weekends in 2021, kicking off with Japan's version of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup for fillies and mares, a race that would have attracted Loves Only You (Jpn), but for her landmark victory at the Breeders' Cup:

Saturday, November 13, 2021
9th-TOK, ¥19,110,000 ($168k), Allowance, 2yo, 1400m
CONCH PEARL (f, 2, American Pharoah–A Z Warrior, by Bernardini), second and third in turf maidens to begin her career, set a track-record time for the class when graduating by eight lengths in a two-turn maiden at Kokura Sept. 4 (see below, SC 7) and exits a narrowly beaten third over this trip at Hanshin Oct. 24. Her 'TDN Rising Star' dam, who sold for $550,000 in foal to Uncle Mo at Keeneland November Wednesday, is also responsible for SW Key To My Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and SP Cole Porter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). A Z Warrior is a half-sister to fellow 'Rising Stars' Jojo Warrior (Pioneerof the Nile), J Z Warrior (Harlan's Holiday) and E Z Warrior (Exploit). Conch Pearl cost North Hills $340K at KEESEP last fall. B-Triemore Stud (KY)

 

 

Sunday, November 14, 2021
1st-TOK, ¥9,680,000 ($85k), Maiden, 2yo, 1600m
POISON ARROW (c, 2, Arrogate–Crosswinds, by Storm Cat) was well-beaten when debuting on the dirt in July, but perked up a bit in a pair of tries on the turf, including a sound fourth at Sapporo Aug. 21. The $750K KEESEP grad is possessed of an each-way pedigree, as his half-sister Weep No More (Mineshaft) upset the 2016 GI Central Bank Ashland S., while half-brother Current (Curlin) took the GIII Dixiana Bourbon S. in 2018. Poison Arrow's second dam is GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Alabama S. heroine Flute (Seattle Slew), who produced GSW & MGISP turf distaffer Filimbi (Mizzen Mast). B-Hinkle Farms (KY)

1st-HSN, ¥9,860,000 ($85k), Maiden, 2yo, 1400m
SHIRAKINU (f, 2, Frosted–Meets Expectations, by Valid Expectations), a $335K graduate of last year's Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase, fought on bravely from a high gate in her debut, but gave way late to finish second, beaten 3/4 of a length going this distance at Tokyo Oct. 30 (see below, SC 15). The Godolphin colorbearer is a half-sister to dual-surface GISW World of Trouble (Kantharos) and SW Money Or Love (J Be K) and her dam is a half-sister to the multiple graded-stakes winner Bucchero (Kantharos).B-Darsan Inc & Godolphin (FL)

 

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Leading Turf Sire English Channel Dies At Age 19

Perennial leading turf sire English Channel's health rapidly declined in the past 24 hours, and under the care of top equine specialists at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, the 19-year-old stallion died Thursday morning.

The son of Smart Strike was named champion grass horse in 2007, which lead to a prolific stallion career that is only matched by some of the greats

“English Channel certainly went out on top,” read a statement from Calumet Farm. “He was the number-one turf sire for the past two years and you could consistently find his progeny on the board in the top turf races across the country.

“English Channel has meant so much to Calumet throughout the years and we appreciate all the breeders who also supported him.”

English Channel will be buried in the famed Calumet cemetery alongside many other champions from the farm's storied history.

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Leading Money Rider Joel Rosario Settles Into Churchill Jockey Colony For Fall Meet

Following his victory aboard Knicks Go in the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1), the nation's current leading rider in purse earnings, Joel Rosario, joined the regular Churchill Downs jockey colony Wednesday and plans to stay through the next 14 days of racing.

“We have to keep working hard no matter where we go,” Rosario said. “I'm excited to be here and looking forward to riding the rest of the meet here.”

Represented by Ron Anderson, Rosario has won 68 stakes races this year and is in pursuit of the late Garrett Gomez's 2007 all-time mark of 76. Rosario has won 48 graded stakes, and the all-time mark is held by Jerry Bailey, which was 55 in 2003. Amazingly, Anderson represented Bailey and Gomez during their historic campaigns.

Rosario presence was immediately felt when entries were taken Wednesday for Saturday's 11-race program. The 36-year-old was named to ride in every race.

On Saturday, Knicks Go gave Rosario his 209th victory of the year. He's since won one additional race at Belmont on Sunday.

One day prior to Knicks Go's Classic victory, Rosario rode 2-year-old filly Echo Zulu to a 5 ¼-length triumph in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Rosario entered Thursday's nine-race card with more than $30.8 million in purse earnings, about $3.5 million ahead of Irad Ortiz Jr.

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