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‘Emperor’ Leads European-Raced Hong Kong Derby Entrants

During the nine-year stretch from 2006-2014, no fewer than five European-bred and -raced gallopers were successful in the BMW Hong Kong Derby: Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}, 2006); Helene Mascot (Ire) (Peintre Celebre, 2008); Collection (Ire) (Peintre Celebre, 2009); Akeed Mofeed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}, 2013); and Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), 2014). Sunday's 2000-metre feature at Sha Tin includes five horses–four European-bred, one US-bred–that were imported with this very race in mind. Here is a brief recap of how they have gotten to this point. For handicapping insights, please refer to the special BMW Hong Kong Derby cheat sheet.

RUSSIAN EMPEROR (IRE) (c, 4, Galileo {Ire}–Atlantic Jewel {Aus}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus})

The second foal for his four-time Group 1-winning and dual Australian champion dam, Russian Emperor won the G3 Hampton Court S. at Royal Ascot last June for Ballydoyle, but struggled home seventh in the G1 Investec Derby. His first two local runs lacked any spark, but the entire sprung to life in his final prep, has drawn well and is a live chance.

CONGRATULATION (g, 4, American Pharoah–Up {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire})

Former 'TDN Rising Star' Monarch of Egypt sneaks into the Derby field off a lofty rating upon import. Competitive against the likes of Siskin (First Defence) at two, including a runner-up effort in the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S., the $750,000 Keeneland September grad wasn't a factor in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, but was a smart runner-up in the G3 Jersey S. at Royal Ascot. Drawn the parking lot and stretching out for this, the task at hand is very tall. (Click here for a feature on Congratulation)

DELIGHTFUL LAOS (IRE) (g, 4, Baltic King {GB}–Pepys Tillergirl {Ire}, by Tillerman {GB})

A €50,000 purchase out of the 2019 Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up, the former Now The King was a Dundalk maiden winner in three runs for trainer Michael O'Callaghan at two before being sold on. His three wins in Hong Kong–including a debut victory at 59-1–have all come at Happy Valley and he was no factor against many of these last month.

MAXIMUS (GER) (c, 4, Ivawood {Ire}–Coco Demure {Ire}, by Titus Livius {Fr})

Bought in for €32,000 as an Arqana August Yearling, the former Chares bolted up by a combined 12 1/2 in his first two career starts for trainer Christophe Ferland and added the Listed Criterium de Lyon in September 2019 before being purchased for €710,000 by Lohan Equine/Narvick International at that year's Arqana Arc Sale. Victorious in the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' conditions stakes in a single appearance for Jane Chapple-Hyam, Maximus has a pair of minor placings from five local runs.

PACKING WALTHAM (FR) (g, 4, Wootton Bassett {GB}–Baki {Fr}, by Turtle Bowl {Ire})

Sports a very similar profile to Maximus, as he was conditioned by Christophe Ferland to three wins from four starts, including the Listed Prix Maurice Caillault over the Chantilly fibresand last March. A €110,000 ARQAUG purchase who was unsold at that same price as an ARQMAY breezer, the former Waltham has yet to taste local success in five trips postward, but looms an interesting each-way play this weekend nonetheless.

The post ‘Emperor’ Leads European-Raced Hong Kong Derby Entrants appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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American Graded Stakes Standings Presented By Muirfield Insurance: Godolphin Sets The Pace Among Breeders

Following a season where the Godolphin operation took home the Eclipse Award as outstanding owner, the blue team has set a blistering pace on its quest to collect its second trophy as outstanding breeder.

Godolphin leads all breeders with five North American graded stakes winners through March 9, all homebreds, with the most recent addition Micheline, who took the Grade 2 Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on March 6.

It was the seasonal debut for the 4-year-old Bernardini filly, and her first career graded stakes win after several close calls in previous campaigns. She is out of the multiple Grade 1-winning Include mare Panty Raid.

Champion Essential Quality, made his seasonal debut a winning one with a powerful drive down the sloppy Oaklawn Park stretch to win the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes by 4 1/4 lengths on Feb. 27. He is a son of Tapit, out of the Grade 3-placed Elusive Quality mare Delightful Quality.

Godolphin has a strong pair of 4-year-old colts at the top of the older male division, in Maxfield and Mystic Guide.

Maxfield, a son of Street Sense, shined in his first start of the season with a four-wide rally on Feb. 13 to win the G3 Mineshaft Stakes at the Fair Grounds.

He is out of the winning Bernardini mare Velvety, who raced as a Godolphin homebred in England.

Mystic Guide added his name to the fold with a dominant performance in the G3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 27, drawing off to win by six lengths over a sloppy sealed track.

Mystic Guide is also out of a mare that competed under the Godolphin colors in Music Note, a daughter of A.P. Indy who picked up five Grade 1 wins over the course of her career.

Rounding out the group was Antoinette, a 4-year-old daughter of Hard Spun who also won her seasonal bow with an effortless front-running triumph in the G3 The Very One Stakes, also on Feb. 27.

Another multi-generational member of the Godolphin breeding program, Antoinette is out of the Godolphin-homebred Elusive Quality mare Shuruq, who was a group stakes winner in the UAE and Turkey.

The post American Graded Stakes Standings Presented By Muirfield Insurance: Godolphin Sets The Pace Among Breeders appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Stallion Spotlight Presented By Kentucky Equine Research: Crestwood Farm’s Robert Keck On Yorkton

Stallion Spotlight offers stud farm representatives a chance to address breeders and answer questions as they finalize their mating decisions for the 2021 breeding season.

In this edition, Robert Keck of Crestwood Farm discusses Yorkton, a multiple Grade 3 winner who entered stud in 2021.

Yorkton
B. h., 2014, Speightstown x Sunday Affair, by A.P. Indy
Race Record: 30-7-4-3; $546,332
Advertised Fee: $5,000

What is Yorkton's strongest selling point as a stallion?

Robert Keck: It's hard to list just one. He was durable, making 30 starts, and fast, winning five stakes. He is a son Speightstown, a great physical with an elite pedigree.

If I've got a mare that needs help from a stallion physically, what do you foresee Yorkton best being able to contribute to that equation?

Keck: Yorkton is an exceptional physical. He has extremely good bone, you rarely see cannons that strong. He is very correct, has great muscling, and coupling. He is 16.1 hands with scope, a great top-line, and a good hind leg. Any mare will benefit from his physical attributes.

Speightstown is rapidly emerging as a sire of sires. What about Yorkton separates him within that group?

Keck: Being the only Speightstown, out of an A.P. Indy mare; additionally being from a super-elite female family gives him a great advantage. His half-brother Weyburn just won the G3 Gotham Stakes, earning 50 points for the Kentucky Derby.

Yorkton's third dam is the mighty Maplejinsky. How much does having a strong female family under a stallion affect his appeal, and his ability to sire runners?

Keck: Very rarely do you see a successful stallion that doesn't have a strong female family, that foundation forecasts a stallion that has a future. Yorkton has 11 Grade 1 winners, including six millionaires, and two champions from his immediate female family.

What else should someone considering Yorkton know before making the call?

Keck: Chiefswood Stables is supporting this stallion by breeding some extremely nice mares. The $1-million Breeders' Incentive Program gives you an idea of how committed they are to seeing Yorkton succeed.

The Breeders' Incentive Program will award $10,000 to the breeders of Yorkton's first 20 juveniles in his debut crop to win a North American maiden special weight at or above the $25,000 purse level.

Breeders of the first six debut-crop foals to win a listed black type stakes race in North America with a purse of $75,000 or more will receive a $100,000 bonus, if it's done before the end of their 3-year-old season.

A $200,000 bonus will go to the breeder of Yorkton's first Grade 1 winner before the end of their 3-year-old campaign, as well.

Anyone with questions can contact us directly at Crestwood Farm.

The post Stallion Spotlight Presented By Kentucky Equine Research: Crestwood Farm’s Robert Keck On Yorkton appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Santa Anita To Open To Limited Number of Fans April 2

Beginning Friday, Apr. 2 and in keeping with the State of California's guidelines for large sporting event venues, Santa Anita Park will open to a limited number of fans. The opening is one day prior to the running of the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby.

All tickets, which include an assigned seat, must be pre-purchased. For the time being, there will be no walk-up admissions, but that could be changed should COVID-19 numbers improve in Los Angeles County. To receive notifications on ticket sales as soon as they become available, fans are encouraged to sign up for Santa Anita's Newsletter.

“We are extremely excited to welcome back our racing fans to Santa Anita, just in time for the Santa Anita Derby,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager. “It hasn't been the same without the people who are so important to this sport. While the current restrictions are going to limit the size of the crowds, we are working hard to provide a memorable experience for our guests and to thank them for their support.”

Tickets will include a seat, program, and parking. All fans must follow stringent guidelines and protocols, including mandatory wearing of cloth face coverings and maintaining social distancing at all times. Box seats, tables and individual seats will be spaced out and sold to maximize social distancing.

For real-time updates, visit www.santaanita.com.

The post Santa Anita To Open To Limited Number of Fans April 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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