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Efforia Gunning For Fantastic Five in Tokyo Yushun

Perfect in four career attempts to this point, including a facile success in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (2000mT) last month, Carrot Farm's Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) will jump a warm favourite to take his winning streak to five in Sunday's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) at the Fuchu Racecourse in the Japanese capitol.

Blessed with excellent tactical speed, Efforia has managed to be a forward factor in each of his races to date, sitting fairly handy to the pace when besting Victipharus (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) by a comfortable 2 1/2 lengths in the G3 Kyodo News Hai at headquarters in February, an effort that stamped him as the second-elect for the Satsuki Sho. While Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) faltered that afternoon, Efforia sat a cosy inside trip and punched through the gap when it came before streaking home a three-length winner from pace-pressing Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Having drawn the paint for the Derby, Efforia should once again enjoy the run of the race Sunday.

“He hasn't dropped his condition since the Satsuki Sho and he's in good shape,” said young jockey Takeshi Yokoyama. “He seems to have become stronger. In his last work, he finished off very well and kept things going until after the winning post, demonstrating his ability. It would be great if I could win the Derby with him.”

WATCH: Efforia winning the G1 Satsuki Sho

Satono Reinas (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will attempt to become the first filly to beat the boys in the Derby since Vodka (Jpn) (Tanino Gimlet {Jpn}) in 2007 and should she succeed, would provide her legendary sire with a fourth straight winner of the race. Winner of her first two tries, including a newcomers' event in June, the bay was nosed out by Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in December and flew home in her lone start this term to miss by a neck to the white filly in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) Apr. 11. She is certain to appreciate this stretch out to the metric 12 furlongs, having passed last week's G1 Yushun Himba.

“I think she'll actually be better suited to this longer trip,” said trainer Sakae Kunieda, who conditioned the great Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). “I'm excited about the challenge she faces here, and I'm not really thinking about the opponents in the race, but only her performance under these conditions.”

Wonderful Town (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) rallied from off the speed to best Lagom (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G3 Kyoto Nisai S. last November and resumed from a November layoff to win the G2 Aoba Sho over Sunday's course and distance May 1. A victory would give Deep Impact his first Derby winner as a broodmare sire and second overall, joining Kikuka Sho hero Kiseki (Jpn), also a son of Rulership.

Deep Monster (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) looms an interesting longshot proposition. A listed winner over 2200 metres in late February, the son of US MGISW Sisterly Love (Bellamy Road) raced last but one into the final half-mile of the Guineas, was flushed seven or eight wide into the lane and finished up willingly to be seventh, beaten 4 1/2 lengths. He's drawn nicely in four to save some ground this time and the longer trip and, potentially, sounder underfoot conditions could help his chances.

The post Efforia Gunning For Fantastic Five in Tokyo Yushun appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Bombard Rates Slight Advantage For Saturday’s Daytona Stakes

With a recent race under his belt, Richard Mandella's Bombard perhaps rates a slim advantage over Mark Glatt's comebacking Law Abidin Citizen in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita. For older horses, the Daytona has attracted five older horses who will contest 6 ½ furlongs on turf.

A lightly raced 8-year-old gelding by War Front, Bombard led turning for home, but was collared by a razor sharp Gregorian Chant late when second, beaten a half length in a six furlong turf classified allowance here on April 25.

Owned by Perry Bass, Ramona Bass, Adele Dilschneider and Waddell Hancock II, Bombard, although winless in four starts last year, was nonetheless in top form for Mandella, evidenced by a narrow second place finish, beaten a neck, in a Grade III turf sprint at Kentucky Downs Sept. 12 and subsequent 3 ¼ length defeat in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland two starts back on Nov. 7.

With regular rider Flavien Prat back aboard Saturday, Bombard, who is four for nine over the Santa Anita turf, brings an overall mark of 17-5-6-2 and earnings of $399,771.

A graded stakes winner on both turf and dirt, Law Abidin Citizen has been idle since running a close third to top sprinter C Z Rocket in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 29 and with four wins from nine lifetime starts over the Santa Anita lawn, rates a huge chance with Abel Cedillo back aboard.

A 7-year-old gelding by Twirling Candy, Law Abidin Citizen has tremendous early speed and can be counted upon to press or make the early pace on Saturday. Owned by Dan Agnew, Gerry Schneider and John Xitco, Law Abidin Citizen is 28-7-4-6 overall with earnings of $519,167.

THE GRADE 3 DAYTONA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 5 of 9 Approximate post time 3 p.m. PT

Majestic Eagle—Mario Gutierrez—122
Bombard—Flavien Prat—122
Jamming Eddy—Tyler Baze—120
Law Abidin Citizen—Abel Cedillo—122
Commander—Juan Hernandez—120

First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

The post Bombard Rates Slight Advantage For Saturday’s Daytona Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Kerin Joins Hidden Brook Farm As Sales Account Manager

Hidden Brook Farm announced on May 27 that Melbourne, Australia native Josh Kerin has joined the farm as a sales account manager.

Josh's initial experience with horses began on a family harness racing farm before venturing to nearby Caulfield Racecourse as a teenager to work under the tutelage of classic winning trainer Colin Little while completing his local education. Josh pursued his Equine Science degree at Colorado State University while punting for the football team and serving as a veterinary assistant at the prestigious Colorado State Equine Reproduction Lab.

Sergio de Sousa, part owner of Hidden Brook Farm, said, “We're very pleased to welcome Josh to our team. He gained valuable experience interning at Three Chimney's Farm and also making the rounds at the sales with several prominent agents. He'll assist in recruiting and bloodstock services and take an active role in our sales consignments. Josh brings great enthusiasm and passion to his position and we, as a group, are looking forward to working together to grow our enterprise.”

“I'm very excited to work with the Hidden Brook crew,” Kerin said. “It's a very unique opportunity considering they have both a full-service nursery in Kentucky and an active training center in Florida. I look forward to contributing to the success and growth of both facilities.”

The post Kerin Joins Hidden Brook Farm As Sales Account Manager appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Keeneland November Weanling Purchase Light Of Darkness Captures Turkey’s 1000 Guineas

The latest example of the international impact of Keeneland's Thoroughbred auctions is the success of the 3-year-old filly Light of Darkness, who sold at Keeneland as a weanling and is one of 2021's most accomplished performers in Turkey.

Owner Cem Sevim purchased Light of Darkness at Keeneland's 2018 November Breeding Stock Sale and watched her score a 1 1/2-length victory in the $130,000 Turkish 1000 Guineas, the nation's biggest race for the division, on May 16 at Veliefendi racecourse in Istanbul. (Click here for a video of the race.)

The Kentucky-bred daughter of Red Rocks has won five consecutive group stakes during her undefeated season.

“She did a great job, and she is the most popular horse in Turkey,” said Sevim, a former professional soccer player who lives in Washington, D.C., where he is a developer and has a construction company. “We have a plan to take her to a couple of European tracks for racing and hopefully to Dubai next year. Of course, my big dream is returning home with her and have few races in Kentucky. After all, she is from there.”

Light of Darkness was bred by Calumet Farm, where Red Rocks – a member of the first crop by Galileo who won the 2006 John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs and the 2008 Grade 1 Man o' War at Belmont – stood until his death in 2018.

The filly is out of the Grade 2-placed winning Danehill mare Charming Legacy and is from the family of G1 Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World, a candidate for the June 5 Belmont Stakes, and Grade 2 winner Liam the Charmer. Charming Legacy is the dam of seven starters with seven winners.

Ballysax Bloodstock, agent, consigned Light of Darkness to the November Sale. (Click here for a video of her as Hip 3593 in the sales ring.) She sold for $1,000.

“Moment I see her, I loved her,” Sevim said. “Honestly, I was ready to pay much more.”

In fact, he was the lone bidder.

“Back then I couldn't believe that nobody (bid) on her and still can't,” he said. “I understand more and more how blessed I was.”

Sevim, who said he returns to Turkey “10 times a year, at least” and has attended all nine of Light of Darkness' career races, owns breeding stock and racehorses both in Turkey and the U.S. His brother Ozgur Sevim handles paperwork related to the operation, and he named the filly.

Cem Sevim said he became interested in horses as a boy and fondly remembers how his late mother encouraged him to take a noontime nap each day.

“(At the time) TV programs were very limited and my favorite show was 'Bonanza,' ” he said. “(She'd tell me) if I take a nap, when I wake up (a man named) Hans is going to bring his white horse and tie him to the tree in front of our house and I can feed and pet him.

“I was a child with lots of imagination, so I didn't know the horse belonged to the guy who sells milk to the neighborhood. Back then, those vendors used horses to carry the milk gallons. My mother knew his delivery time was the same as when I woke up, and she also knew how much I loved that show. She put two and two together and started my career.

“I fed that horse couple of years and said 'hi' to the guy, thinking he was Hans 'Cartwright.' He was so similar (to a character on 'Bonanza.') He had white hat; he was big and had a very nice smile. She used to wake me up by saying, 'Hans and his horse arrived.' Now I am telling her, 'Mom, my horses have arrived.'

“I am sure she hears me, and I am pretty sure she has a big part in all my winnings.”

Sevim, who first attended a Keeneland sale in 2016, is among the large group of Turkish horsemen who annually buys horses at the November Sale, but they usually concentrate on broodmares. The purchase of Light of Darkness as a weanling represents a new opportunity for them and for Keeneland.

“I think she is (Keeneland's) best promoter in Turkey now,” Sevim said. “People are asking left and right about her relatives and all about her. (Keeneland will) probably see lots of interested buyers this year. It is like a fashion: One goes, the rest follow.”

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