WEATHER DELAY (Curlin), the first foal out of MGISW American Gal (Concord Point), kicks off her career for Repole Stable and trainer Todd Pletcher. The 3-year-old was a $500,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase. Carrying the colors of Kaleem Shah, American Gal captured the 2017 GI Longines Test S. at Saratoga and the following term's GI Humana Distaff S. at Churchill Downs. She was also third as the favorite in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. American Gal brought $3 million from Weather Delay's breeder Whisper Hill Farm at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Her 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief brought $1.1 million from Grandview Equine at last year's Keeneland September sale. TJCIS PPs

The post Well-Bred Curlin Filly Debuts for Pletcher at Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

5th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1m, 2:48 p.m.
At Churchill on Saturday, Ken McPeek debuts Thorny (Violence), a $325,000 Keeneland September buy out of SP Boule (Exchange Rate). She was in-foal with the dark bay filly when she sold to Rhianon Farms at the Keeneland Novemeber Sale in 2020 for $160,000. Out of an extended female family which includes MGISW Tates Creek (Rahy) and her son, Australian multiple group stakes winner Spirit Ridge (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Boule counts GIII W.L. McKnight hero Tide of the Sea (English Channel) as a half-brother.

Also entered is Coffeepot Stables' Starina (Candy Ride {Arg}), who will take her first crack at racing for trainer Wayne Catalano. The chestnut filly out of SW Rebridled Dreams (Unbridled's Song) is a half-sister to GI Toyota Blue Grass S. victor Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway), GII Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks heroine Farrell (Malibu Moon) and to the dams of current in-training runners SW Salute the Stars (Candy Ride {Arg}) and SW Wonderful Justice (Justify). TJCIS PPS

4th-SA, $61K, Msw, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 5:30 p.m.
Santa Anita is underway and there we find homebred Bolt At Midnight (Bolt d'Oro) on debut for Ruis Racing. The dark bay colt's third dam, who is a full-sister to MGISW Seeking the Gold (Mr. Propsector), is responsible for GII Gotham S. winner Survivalist (Danzig).

Just to his outside, is Bartholdy (Mendelssohn) owned by Kaleem Shah. The $300,000 OBS April grad includes among her extended female family MGSW Chocolate Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), GI Hollywood Starlet S. victoress Killer Graces (Conagree), and GI Hollywood Gold Cup S. hero There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge). TJCIS PPS

The post Saturday Insights: $625k OBS Grad Makes First Start At Delaware appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

6th-SAR, $136K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 4:00 p.m.
Switching to the Spa main, a pair of colts are set for their maiden trips. As a weanling, Change of Command (Into Mischief) went for $570,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November Mixed Sale before fetching $1.05-million less than a year later at the Keeneland September Sale. The Shug McGaughey trainee, who will have Jose Ortiz aboard, is out of a dam who is a full-sister to MGSW Mrs McDougal (Medaglia d'Oro).

Also entered is Kaleem Shah's Billal (Street Sense), a $725,000 '22 Keeneland September grad from Bill Mott's shedrow, who will be ridden by Florent Geroux. Dam Bambalina (Bernardini) was purchased by Repole Stables at the '20 Keeneland November Mixed Sale for $270,000 with Billal in-utero. She's out of Champion grass mare Perfect Sting (Red Ransom), who is also responsible for GSW Smart Sting (Smart Strike). TJCIS PPS

4th-DMR, $82K, Msw, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 7:29 p.m.
Heading out to Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, a competitive group of 2-year-olds will be looking to strut their stuff. Indispensable (Constitution) for trainer John Sadler was a $825,000 buy at the Keeneland September Sale and his extended female family includes MGSWs Gulch Approval (Gulch) and Rusty Slipper (Lemon Drop Kid). His dam High Performer (Candy Ride {Arg}), a full-sister to SW Chocopologie, was purchased by Hunter Valley Farm while in-foal–yielding a colt–to Omaha Beach for $130,000 at the '21 Keeneland November Mixed Sale and she was bred back to that sire, which produced a filly Mar. 15.

Bob Baffert has a pair of firsters ready to fire in Wynstock (Solomini), who initially sold as a yearling for $50,000 at the Keeneland September Sale before going this past spring for $700,000 during OBS April. The New York-bred is his dam's first offspring. Last but certainly not least, is Don Alberto homebred Ultra Power (Curlin), who is out of dual Champion female Unique Bella (Tapit). She is the daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic heroine Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song), who is also responsible for her full-sister Vanishing Point, a $1.5-million purchase at the '19 Keeneland September Sale by Yuji Hasegawa. TJCIS PPS

The post Friday’s Racing Insights: Not This Time Colt Tackles Two Turns In Spa Grass Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The 3-5 favorite bumped with a rival at the start and recovered nicely to flash good speed through an opening quarter in :21.94. Traveling powerfully while about four wide on the turn for home, she switched over to her right lead in the stretch and was under cruise control down the lane to win by a geared-down three lengths over Tambo (Enticed).

Benedetta RNA'd for $290,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, then fired a :9 4/5 bullet from the Top Line Sales LLC, Agent X consignment at OBS March this year.

Tessie Flip, a two-time winning half-sister to MGISW Switch (Quiet American), is also responsible for Jo Jo Air (Scat Daddy), MSW & GSP, $221,474; the 3-year-old stakes-placed colt in Ireland and $400,000 KEESEP yearling Congo River (Mendelssohn); and a 2023 filly by Maxfield. Tessie Flip, a $200,000 KEEJAN purchase by Springhouse Farm in 2014, RNA'd for $370,000 at the 2014 KEENOV sale.

Benedetta is the second 'TDN Rising Star' for City of Light.

Future ?

Juvenile filly #3 BENEDETTA trots home in Race 3 at Los Alamitos. @simon_callaghan trains the daughter of @lanesendfarms City of Light. @JJHernandezS19 was in the irons for this victory! pic.twitter.com/Vz615r1gjS

— TVG (@TVG) July 8, 2023

3rd-Los Alamitos, $45,500, Msw, 7-8, 2yo, f, 5f, :57.92, ft, 3 lengths.
BENEDETTA, f, 2, by City of Light
                1st Dam: Tessie Flip, by Grand Slam
                2nd Dam: Antoniette, by Nicholas
                3rd Dam: Queen of Women, by Sharpen Up (GB)
Sales history: $290,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $750,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $27,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the free
Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Kaleem Shah, Inc.; B-Springhouse Farm & Dromoland Farm (KY); T-Simon Callaghan. *1/2 to Jo Jo Air (Scat Daddy), MSW & GSP, $221,474.

The post City of Light Filly Delivers a ‘TDN Rising Star’ Debut Win at Los Al appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

OCALA, FL – The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale opened its three-day run Monday with a session which gained strength throughout the day, ultimately ending with increases in both average and median over the first session of last year's two-day auction.

During Monday's session, 131 horses sold for $20,192,500 for an average of $154,141–up 10.1% from a year ago–and a median of $90,000–up 16.1% from 2022. Without the inclusion of post-sales transactions, the buy-back rate was 32.1%, up from 18.6% from the conclusion of last year's opening session.

The additional session–and an extra 198 horses–makes comparisons between years an inexact science at best.

“It's hard to make apple-to-apple comparisons because we have 200 more horses this year and three days,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “It will be interesting to see what happens over the next two days with the RNA rate. I suspect it will trend downwards with the post sales. We've already seen a lot of post-sale activity. Certainly, we would like to see it lower. But I can't pass judgment on the sale until we get through the next two days.”

A colt by Justify, consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, topped the day's trade when selling for $1.2 million to Maverick Racing and Siena Farms. Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo also sold the day's second highest offering, a son of Uncle Mo purchased for $950,000 by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Jackpot Farm.

“Those were special horses,” Wojciechowski said of Monday's two top-priced juveniles. “They did it on the racetrack and then, when you went back to look at them at the barn, they were spectacular. There was no surprise that those two horses did well. It's the old adage, you can't hide a good horse. The good ones stand out.”

A deep domestic buying bench was at the top of the March market Monday, with the top 10 horses purchased by nine different buyers.

Japanese agent Hideyuki Mori, who purchased seven horses during last year's March sale, including a $1.1 million son of Into Mischief and a $900,000 colt by Bolt d'Oro, for a total of $3.55 million, signed for one juvenile Monday, going to $300,000 to acquire a colt by Bernardini for $300,000.

The OBS March sale continues through Wednesday with sessions beginning each day at 11 a.m.

WinStar Comes Out On Top for Justify Colt

Randy Hartley with Elliott Walden and David Hanley | Photos by Z

A colt by Triple Crown winner Justify (hip 215) became the first to reach seven figures during Monday's first session of the OBS March sale when bringing a final bid of $1.2 million for WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden, who signed for the colt on behalf of the partnership of WinStar's Maverick Racing and Siena Farm.

“[WinStar general manager] David [Hanley] and I just felt like he was the best horse in the sale,” Walden said. “I think the whole package, with how he breezed and with his pedigree, he was worth taking a chance on.”

Out of graded-placed Zinzay (Smart Strike) and already named Saturday Dreams, the colt was bred by Summer Wind Equine. A half-brother to Grade I-placed Moon Over Miami (Malibu Moon), he was purchased by Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo for $250,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. He worked a furlong last week in :10 flat.

WinStar Farm was co-owner of Justify and Maverick Racing purchased the future champion in partnership with China Horse Club for $500,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September sale.

“We were close,” Walden said when asked if the $1.2-million bid was near his limit.

As for what is next ahead for the colt, Walden said, “He will go back to WinStar and we will figure it out from there.”  @JessMartiniTDN

Uncle Mo Colt Hitting the Jackpot

Hip 95 | Photos by Z

Moving along at a comfortable pace early on in Monday's opening session of the OBS March Sale, it was apparent the tempo was about to pick up markedly moments before Hip 95, a colt by Uncle Mo, strode into the ring. A camera crew swept into the pavilion, quickly setting up at the back as the photogs scurried into position. And it wasn't long before the fireworks began. The bidding initially shot up in $100,000 increments before accelerating to $150,000 volleys. When the dust had settled, it was Bill and Corrine Heiligbrodt, in tandem with Terry Green's Jackpot Farm, that landed the session's second most prized juvenile for $950,000.

“We didn't think we had a chance to get him with what our budget is,” admitted Bill Heiligbrodt. “We thought there would be some other players in there ahead of us. Maybe they know more than we do, but I don't think so.”

Added Green, “We just loved the horse. Billy has been at this a whole lot longer than me. I've been the caboose on his train.”

He continued, “We're just excited about him. We think he's a great horse and have our fingers crossed.”

Consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, the Mar. 12 foal is out of unraced Sunshiny Day (Bernardini), a granddaughter of Champion juvenile filly Storm Song (Summer Squall). Having proven an active influence in the breeding shed, Storm Song is also responsible for GISP Trojan Nation (Street Cry {Ire}) and MGSP Balladry (Unbridled's Song) and Another Storm (Gone West), herself responsible for European Highweight Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

The colt worked in :10 flat (video) during last week's breeze show.

“We looked at all the horses in the sale and tried to pick out the best one,” explained Heiligbrodt. “And this one was in our price range.”

According to Heiligbrodt, the colt will go to Steve Asmussen, who also trained 2019 Champion Sprinter Mitole (Eskendereya) for the Heiligbrodts.

“He's running speeds that is like a sprinter almost,” said Heiligbrodt of his highest-priced purchase of the session. “We're just really happy we got him.”

Terry Green with Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt | Photos by Z

Already having partnered on a handful of horses over the past couple of years, the Heiligbrodts and Green enjoyed prior success with Gulfport, another son of Uncle Mo. Winner of the Bashford Manor S. at two, Gulfport also placed in the GII Saratoga Special and GI Hopeful S. in addition to finishing third in the GI Champagne S.

“We've been [partnering on horses] the last couple of years–we're both from Texas and good friends,” said Heiligbrodt.

Regarding the affinity for the Coolmore sire, he added, “We've had very good luck with Uncle Mo. We ran Gulfport together, so to find an Uncle Mo with this kind of speed and pedigree is unusual. I have been doing this a long time and I haven't seen many Uncle Mos that looked any better to me than this.”

Purchased for $360,000 by Chris Baccari at Keeneland November in 2021, the bay was offered at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale last summer, but failed to attain his reserve of $575,000. Bred by Aaron Sones, the colt was secured for $500,000 by Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo privately.

DeRenzo said, “We bought the horse in Saratoga and he was our highest-priced yearling purchase price [in 2022]. We just loved him. Since then, he's trained amazing all year long and we thought he was one of the top horses in the sale. He's going to one of the best trainers, Steve Asmussen. That makes us feel really good because now we know the horse has a chance to do what we thought the horse can do.”

As for the purchase price, he said, “I thought he would have brought more than that. I think they got a really great buy.”

He continued, “[Heiligbrodt] didn't think he could get him. But I told him 'Always be ready.' We don't set our reserves too high because selling horses is what we do. He was there, waiting for the horse, and he got it. We are ecstatic for them. [Heiligbrodt] has a great eye and he has a great instinct as well. And he's been right so many times.”

In addition to landing the day's top colt, the partnership also secured a son of Mitole, Hip 61 for $225,000. Consigned by Wavertree Stables, the chestnut's work equaled (video) that of his pricier counterpart.

“[Hip 95] is a little bit faster [than Hip 61], but probably won't go as long,” said Heiligbrodt.

Going back to the well for a horse that served the Heiligbrodts so well in the past was an obvious decision.

“Mitole has some really fast ones here so I want to buy all the fast ones here. Because if we own them, we won't have to face the really fast ones in the races!” Heiligbrodt said with a laugh. “We're thinking down the road.”

The partnership also purchase Hip 164, realizing $310,000. Consigned by Cruzin' Thoroughbreds, the colt by Lea also worked in :10 flat (video) during the breeze session. @CBossTDN

Hartley/DeRenzo More than Justified

The $1.2-million session topper's work last week | Photos by Z

If selling 2-year-olds was a numbers game, Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo certainly didn't get the memo. Lining up with only two juveniles during Monday's opening OBS March session, the duo landed a blow with both of them, with Hip 95 realizing $950,000 from a partnership of Bill and Corrine Heiligbrodt and Jackpot Farm ahead of Hip 215, who reeled in a $1.2 million final bid from the converging titans Maverick Racing and Siena Farms.

“They were both very good horses and we had a lot of people calling us about them,” said Hartley. “But they're two very different looking horses. The Uncle Mo is really tall and leggy and this colt has more muscle and bigger. They're both very good and could end up in the same place–on top.”

Of Monday's session topper, Hartley explained, “He's an amazing colt and we're so happy WinStar and Siena bought him. He's got the best shot now. It's sad when they leave our hands, but when they go to an operation like that, they're going up in the world.”

Bred by Summer Wind Equine, the dark bay was purchased for $250,000 at Keeneland last September. Out of Grade III placed Zinzay (Smart Strike), the Apr. 11 foal is a half to SW and GISP Moon Over Miami (Malibu Moon). This represents the family Classic scorers Musical Note and Musical Chimes.

“He's been my little sleeper all year,” admitted Hartley. “He has a special place in my heart. He was amazing from day 1.”

Explaining part of his attachment to the dark bay colt, he said, “We had his mother, Zinzay, who I bought for $250,000 [Keeneland September in 2012] and we sold her for $700,000 [Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale in 2013]. I got to gallop her and was such a big part of her development, so I've had a soft spot for this colt all year long.”

He continued, “He's done everything right all year long. He never did anything wrong. He's always been Mr. Serious. And he breezed lights out, it was just spectacular [:10.0]. He just has a different air about him. He has a real presence. He's good but also very nice too.”

Standing at Ashford Stud in Kentucky, the colt's sire Justify is represented by his first crop of 3-year-olds this season.

“We are such big Justify fans,” affirmed Hartley. “In fact, we are big Scat Daddy fans. We were around plenty of Scat Daddys and he was such a tremendous stallion. It was such a big loss to our industry when he died so young.

“Justify is getting good runners now and we'll try and buy more of them. We have a few yearlings that we bought as weanlings, so we're keeping it going.”

Rarely afraid to extend to buy a worthwhile youngster, Hartley explained that the partnership has branched out a bit in recent times to find the potential commercial standouts they're perpetually looking for.

“We are buying babies to resell as yearlings so we have been stepping up our game in that area,” he explained. “We sold [three-time Grade I winner] Taiba two years ago, and given that you can hardly buy a Gun Runner as yearlings these days, we thought we'd jump ahead and get them as weanlings. We'll bring them back as yearlings.”

DeRenzo added, “When the horse hits us and we have a gut feeling that this horses can be an athlete, we purchase it. And usually, nine times out of 10, those horses are the athletes.”

He continued, “We don't walk into it thinking how much will pay for horse. We use a lot of gut instinct. We've been doing this 32 years so that instinct is usually right.”

Also well reputed for bringing to the ring a small but select group of horses, this year's March sale was no different with the pinhooking operation bringing three juveniles to the OBS scene. Already represented by the top two juveniles during Day 1, the duo is also represented by Hip 449, a filly by Tapit, during Tuesday's session.

“We are very small by design,” explained Hartley. “I only have 20 stalls in my barn. So, those are all the horses I have. Dean and I have been doing this a very long time. We have always been geared toward quality. We always thought if things weren't so good with the world, the Sport of the Kings would probably come down to the 'kings'. So we always tried to keep a boutique consignment. You'll never really see us with more than five or six horses at a sale. We have been very lucky and have sold some very good racehorses. We'll just keep bringing quality.”

So what might be the main ingredient to their longevity and success?

“We treat them like champions from the day join us,” said DeRenzo. “And they believe they are champions the day they leave us.” @CBossTDN

Shah Strikes for City of Light Filly

Hip 123 | Photos by Z

Kaleem Shah, standing alongside bloodstock agent Ben McElroy and trainer Simon Callaghan, went to $750,000 to acquire a filly by City of Light (hip 123) during Monday's first session of the OBS March sale.

“Ben loved her and so did Simon,” Shah said after signing the ticket on the bay filly. “Next year, we will see if they are right or wrong.”

Of the filly's final price tag, Shah said, “It's always more expensive than you want. I wish I didn't have to spend this kind of money, but that's what the good horses cost.”

Shah is used to signing big tickets at the 2-year-old sales. He purchased the $1.2million top-priced lot at last year's March sale.

The juvenile, who worked a furlong in a bullet :9 4/5 last week, is out of Tessie Flip (Grand Slam) and is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Jo Jo Air (Scat Daddy) and stakes-placed Congo River (Mendelssohn). She was bred by Springhouse Farm and Dromoland Farm and, after RNA'ing for $290,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale, was consigned Monday on behalf of her breeders by Top Line Sales.

“She surprised me as a yearling that we didn't get her done,” said Springhouse Farm's Gabriel Duignan. “It's just one of those things that didn't get done. But she's always been beautiful. We loved her. We always did. It's a gamble [to take her home from the yearling sale]. But she looked the right time for this. She came out here and breezed well and I'm delighted that she's going to good hands with Kaleem and Simon.”

Springhouse purchased Tessie Flip as a 5-year-old for $200,000 at the 2014 Keeneland January sale. She has had yearlings sell for $325,000, $425,000, $350,000, $225,000 and, most recently Congo River sold for $400,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale.

“She just checked in foal to Jackie's Warrior,” Duignan said of the mare. “And she has a Maxfield foal.” @JessMartiniTDN

Good Magic Colt Shines as Gladwell Legacy Continues to Grow

Hip 262 | Photos by Z

A colt by Good Magic (hip 262) continued a bang-up day in the sales ring for the Gladwell family when selling for $725,000 to the bid of bloodstock agent Steve Young. Consigned by Jimbo and Torie Gladwell's Top Line Sales, the youngster had been purchased by the family's pinhooking partnership for $150,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“He is a super-good training horse,” Young, who was bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, said. “He is by a sire who was one of the best freshman sires last year by a long way and he's a half-brother to an undefeated horse. He has sneaky quality all through his bottom line.”

The colt is out of Ari the Adventurer (Pioneerof the Nile) and is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Adventurous Lady (Kantharos). The mare's 4-year-old, Kanthari (Kantharos), purchased for $575,000 at the 2021 March sale, is now two-for-two for Todd Pletcher and MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm.

Just a few hips before the Good Magic colt went through the ring, Nellie (nee Gladwell) and Chetley Breeden introduced their Grade One Investments consignment with another pinhooking score when selling a colt by Frosted (hip 247), purchased by the family for $50,000 at Keeneland September, for $475,000 to Three Amigos.

Jimbo Gladwell | Photos by Z

Watching on from the back walking ring with obvious pride was family patriarch Jimmy Gladwell and his wife Martha.

“The Frosted colt that my daughter sold, we thought he would work fast,” Jimmy Gladwell said of the juvenile who shared the :9 4/5 bullet last week. “And we thought he would be well-received, but we never dreamed that he would bring the dollar amount that he brought at the end of the day. So we're thrilled with that. It was a great start for their consignment and we are really proud of the job they did bringing him over and proud of the outcome.”

In addition to the pinhooking success with the Good Magic, Top Line Sales also consigned a filly by City of Light who sold for $750,000 to Kaleem Shah.

“Jim and Torie, in our opinion, have really risen in the ranks as one of the leading 2-year-old consignors in the game,” Gladwell said. “They present a quality product and have sold some really nice horses. They have developed a good following. They just present good horses who work well. They are doing a great job.”

The longtime pinhooker said it was gratifying to see his children continue to succeed in the industry.

“We are just busting with pride,” he said, while his wife added, “It brings tears to your eyes sometimes.”

“We are a close family and our middle son [Raymond] he works in the business as well,” Jimmy Gladwell said. “All of the kids are close. It's just a great feeling. Martha and I couldn't be more proud of them.” @JessMartiniTDN

The post $1.2-Million Justify Colt Stars at Strong OBS March Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The post Bellafina Brings $4 Million at Fasig appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The post Uncle Mo, Bellafina Daughter Brings Big Money at Fasig appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

8th-SAR, $105K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 3:58 p.m. EDT
Shug McGaughey unveils an expensive and well bred son of Medaglia d'Oro in JUAN VALDEZ. Picked up by Hoby & Layna Kight for $225,000 at KEESEP, the dark bay brought $900,000 from a partnership led by West Point and Woodford Racing at the FTFMAR sale after breezing in :10 flat. He is a half-brother to MGISW sire Constitution (Tapit), GSW Jacaranda (Congrats) and GSW Boynton (More Than Ready). His GSP dam Baffled (Distorted Humor) brought $3.5 million from Bridlewood Farm and Don Alberto at the 2016 FTKNOV sale carrying a full-sibling to Constitution. Don Alberto bought out that partnership for $1.8 million with Juan Valdez in utero at the 2019 renewal of that auction. Baffled is a half to GISW Emcee (Unbridled's Song) and a full to GSW & G1SP Surfer. Todd Pletcher unveils another expensive juvenile buy in Robert and Lawana Low's $550,000 EASMAY acquisition Fantasist, who is the most expensive offspring thus far for his freshman sire Always Dreaming. The $40,000 KEESEP buy breezed in :21 2/5 in Timonium and enters off a bullet work for Todd Pletcher in 1:00 flat (1/25) at this oval Aug. 28. He is out of SW Saritta (Indygo Shiner). West PacesRacing bought first timer Dubyuhnell (Good Magic) for $400,000 at KEESEP and breeder Stonestreet Stables stayed in as a partner. Barbara Banke's operation went to $1 million to acquire his MGSW & GISP dam Wild Gams (Forest Wildcat) at the 2008 KEENOV sale. She is responsible for GSW Cazadero (Street Sense) and SW Mt. Brave (Malibu Moon). TJCIS PPs

6th-DMR, $80K, Msw, 2yo, 6 1/2fT, 6:30 p.m. EDT
DON CORLEONE (More Than Ready) topped the OBS March Sale when summoning $1.2 million from Kaleem Shah earlier this year and he debuts in this spot for Simon Callaghan. Picked up by Ciaran Dunne on behalf of his Lehigh Bloodstock pinhooking group for $120,000 at KEESEP, the dark bay topped the year's first juvenile sale after breezing in a sharp :9 4/5. He is a half-brother to MSP Broad Approval (Carpe Diem). His second dam, SW & GISP Featherbed (Smart Strike), produced graded winners Dynamic Impact (Tiznow) and Mo Strike (Uncle Mo). The powerhouse ownership group dubbed “The Avengers” are represented here by first timer National Treasure (Quality Road). The $500,000 FTSAUG acquisition is out of a half-sister to SW & GSP Silver City (Unbridled's Song) and Elope (Gone West). The bay enters off a best-of-97 five furlongs in :59 flat at Del Mar Aug. 28 and gains the services of John Velazquez, who is in town to ride this colt's stablemate Country Grammer (Tonalist) in the GI TVG Pacific Classic. Hawker (Justify), who was recently featured in Steve Sherack's Second Chances column, makes his second start here after missing by a neck in his career bow going five panels at this oval Aug. 6. The $675,000 KEESEP buy is a half to MGSW & GISP Commissioner (A.P. Indy), GSW & GISP Laugh Track (Distorted Humor) and the dam of champion Vino Rosso (Curlin). TJCIS PPs

The post Sept. 3 Insights: Pricey Juveniles Debut on Both Coasts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Bolt d'Oro currently has nine winners and, while still searching for his first stakes winner, he currently as two stakes-placed runners, with John Grey finishing third in the Hoover S. and Owen's Leap finishing second in the Bashford Manor. Owen's Leap was scratched from Saturday's GII Saratoga Special.

Freshman sire Good Magic is also represented in the Best Pal, with Quagmire Magic coming from the red-hot barn of George Papaprodromou. The youngster was claimed from trainer Peter Miller for $50,000 following a debut win at Los Alamitos June 25.

The Best Pal's freshman sire contingent also includes Mardukas, a son of GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming who broke his maiden second time out June 26 at Churchill Downs for trainer Jeff Engler.

Woodbine hosts its third graded event of the weekend with the GIII Seagram Cup S. Sunday.

The post Bolts Gallore in Best Pal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Arman (Bolt d'Oro), a $600,000 OBS March graduate and the first of the highly regarded duo to make the races, debuted with a visually impressive 'TDN Rising Star' performance at Churchill Downs June 23. Named after Shah's son, the bay is being aimed at the GIII Best Pal S. Aug. 14.

Shah, ahem, clearly made them an offer they couldn't refuse extending to a sale-topping, $1.2 million for OBS March boss Don Corleone (More Than Ready). He is nearing his debut in a spot still to be determined at the seaside track.

Both purchases were advised by Shah's primary trainer Simon Callaghan and bloodstock agent Ben McElroy.

“One thing that I've known is money does not buy you love, and money doesn't buy you a fast horse,” Shah said with a laugh. “Having said that, it all remains to be seen.”

Drawn widest of all in post 10, Arman had his work cut out for him after breaking toward the rear going five furlongs in his unveiling. Hung out in a four-wide fourth heading into the far turn, the 8-5 favorite began to rev up with a sweeping move approaching the quarter pole. He gained command as they straightened for home and leveled off nicely after a couple of left handers from Martin Garcia to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths. He earned a respectable 74 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

Shah–the founder and president of the Virginia-based CalNet, which handles intelligence analysis and telecommunications for its clients, including the U.S. federal government and military–made a special trip to Louisville to be on hand for Arman's unveiling last month.

“He's named after my son, so I had to be there,” Shah said. “He'll be 24-years-old soon and is doing his masters in cybersecurity at George Washington.”

Shah added of the four-legged Arman, “Most of the pundits thought that coming from the outside post at Churchill was a difficult task, but he got it done that day, so on to the next one. He's pointing to the Best Pal. We shall see what he does.”

Bred in Florida by Loren Nichols, Arman RNA'd for $52,000 as a yearling at OBS October. Offered on behalf of Nichols by Top Line Sales at OBS March, Arman brought $600,000 from Shah after motoring through an eighth in :9 4/5.

Already one of eight winners for promising freshman sire Bolt d'Oro (by Medaglia d'Oro)–currently ranked a narrow second by earnings via TDN Sire Lists–Arman is out of Beautissimo (Uncle Mo), an unraced half-sister to the stakes-winning and multiple graded-placed Two Thirty Five (Stay Thirsty). He hails from the extended female family of champion Halfbridled (Unbridled).

Don Corleone, meanwhile, topped the two-day OBS March Sale following a much-buzzed about :9 4/5 breeze from the Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), agent, consignment. Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, LLC, he was previously a $120,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Lehigh Bloodstock, a pinhooking partnership led by Dunne. The dark bay is out of the unraced Indian Charlie mare Broad Spectrum, a half-sister to recent GIII Sanford S. winner Mo Strike (Uncle Mo). Don Corleone breezed four furlongs in :49 (32/61) at Del Mar July 21, his seventh workout since early June.

“Obviously, you've got to go one race at a time, and you don't want to get ahead of yourself,” Shah concluded. “We'll see how this all pans out. But, certainly, it's promising for now.”

The post Shah Bringing His ‘Best’ to Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post