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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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Breeders’ Cup Pledge Raises Over $140,000 For New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced today that early estimate of funds raised during its Breeders' Cup Pledge will be more than $140,000. This year's total was driven by a record eight horses with pledging connections—Knicks Go, Aloha West, Life Is Good, Golden Pal, Ce Ce, Corniche, Pizza Bianca and Twilight Gleaming (IRE)—winning their races on Future Stars Friday and Championship Saturday.

Additional pledges are still coming in and final donations are still being tallied. Now in its 12th year, the Pledge has raised more than $940,000, with 100 percent of funds going directly to support the program's rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming efforts.

“Eclipse and our partners consider Thoroughbred aftercare of paramount importance and it is our duty and pleasure to support New Vocations,” said Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. “It is with great pride that we're able to send a portion of Aloha West's purse winnings from his Breeders' Cup Sprint victory to support an organization that's always ready to help a rehoming or retraining prospect.

“The partnership that owns Aloha West is comprised of a healthy blend of veteran owners who understand the importance of aftercare and newcomers, as well,” he added. “To see these newcomers learning about aftercare and supporting the cause is gratifying and good for the sport.”

In addition to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, winning connections include Brad H. Cox (Knicks Go); China Horse Club, WinStar Farm and Todd Pletcher (Life Is Good); Coolmore (Golden Pal); Michael W. McCarthy (Ce Ce); Speedway Stables and Bob Baffert (Corniche); Bobby Flay (Pizza Bianca); and Stonestreet Stables (Twilight Gleaming). This year's pledge participants also include Al Shaqab Racing, Albaugh Family Stables, Jim Bakke, Richard Baltas, Bonne Chance Farm, Bing Bush & the Abbondanza Racing Partners, Cannon Thoroughbreds, Bradley Thoroughbreds, DJ Stable, Michael Dubb, Brad Grady, Hat Creek Racing, LNJ Foxwoods, Paulo H. Lobo, Madaket Stables, Kenny McPeek, Elizabeth M. Merryman, Peter Miller, MyRacehorse, Patricia's Hope LLC, Richard Ravin, Larry Rivelli, J. Kirk & Judy Robison, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, SF Racing, Joe Sharp, Siena Farm, Spendthrift Farm, St. Elias Stable, Starlight Racing, Stud RDI, Three Diamonds Farm, Treadway Racing Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and White Birch Farm.

“It was truly amazing to have eight pledged contenders win this year,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations Program Thoroughbred Program Director. “We were thrilled with the number of owners and trainers who joined the Pledge to support our aftercare efforts and mission to rehab, retrain and rehome these incredible equine athletes.”

For more information on the Pledge, please visit www.newvocations.org or e-mail Anna@horseadoption.com.

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Irad Ortiz, Jr. Voted Jockey Of The Week After Fourth Straight Shoemaker Award

Three-time Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz, Jr. travelled to the West Coast from his base in New York for the races at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club during Breeders' Cup week. He returned to New York having won four stakes at Del Mar and put an exclamation point on his outstanding week by winning a stakes race at Belmont Park on Sunday. His accomplishments earned Jockey of the Week Nov. 1 through Nov. 7. The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

Breeders' Cup weekend began with “Future Stars Friday” with all stakes races dedicated to two-year-olds. Riding for trainer John Sadler, Ortiz, Jr. was aboard Big Switch in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies Presented by PNC. Off in post position six in the field of eight, Big Switch took command in upper stretch and drew off to a convincing 2-3/4 lengths victory in 1:22.39 for six furlongs.

”I didn't have to do much,” said Ortiz. “I had a good trip. She just ran and that's all there was to it.”

Trainer Wesley Ward and Ortiz, Jr. combined for the third straight year to win the G2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. This year Ortiz, Jr. was aboard Twilight Gleaming (IRE). The fastest out of the gate, Twilight Gleaming (IRE) led all the way to win by a half-length over Go Bears Go covering the five furlongs on the turf in :56.24.

On Saturday, the duo of trainer Wesley Ward and Ortiz, Jr. struck again with Golden Pal in the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Golden Pal went right to the lead and was never pressured, posting a 1-1/4-length win for the five furlongs on the turf in: 54.75.

“I was happy to get the lead easily and he responded to me when I asked him for the run down the stretch,” said Ortiz, Jr.

The next race saw Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher give a leg up to Ortiz, Jr. on Life Is Good in the G1 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Life Is Good took command out of the gate and cruised to 5-3/4 lengths victory after a mild challenge from Ginobili.

“I had the perfect trip,” said Ortiz, Jr. “When we go to the quarter pole, he re-broke for me. What a nice horse to ride.”

Ortiz, Jr. was awarded the Bill Shoemaker Award for the fourth year in a row as Outstanding Jockey at the Breeders' Cup.

Back to Belmont Park on Sunday, Ortiz, Jr. was aboard Orglandes (FR) for trainer Chad Brown in the Zagora for fillies and mares three-years-old and up going 1-1/2 miles on the Widener turf. Off as the favorite in the field of seven, Orglandes (FR) got up right before the wire to win by a neck over Beautiful Love and Joel Rosario in 2:29.28. Ortiz, Jr. also collected the leading rider title at Belmont Park.

Ortiz, Jr. outpolled Mitchell Murrill with the most wins for the week, Jose L. Ortiz with two G1 Breeders' Cup victories, Joel Rosario with two G1 Breeders' Cup wins and Chantal Sutherland with nine wins for the week.

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Life Is Good Could Take On Knicks Go In Pegasus; Medina Spirit To Saudi Cup

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Life Is Good could be pointed to the Pegasus World Cup, WinStar President and CEO Elliott Walden told the Thoroughbred Daily News this week. It brings up the potential of two Breeders' Cup winners facing off in the Jan. 29 contest at Gulfstream Park, as trainer Brad Cox has indicated that Classic winner Knicks Go may make the Pegasus his final career start before heading off to stud.

Life Is Good, the 3-year-old son of Into Mischief trained by Todd Pletcher, put in an extraordinarily dominant performance in the Dirt Mile. Walden believes the victory brings Life Is Good into the discussion for the 3-year-old Eclipse Award.

“I think he is the best 3-year-old in the country and I think he showed that,” Walden told the Thoroughbred Daily News. “It's unfortunate that he couldn't show that in the Derby and some of the other big races we're always trying to win. But, at the same time, you take what the horse gives you. And you have to be grateful for that. He's such an athlete that we're just lucky to have him. I always felt like if you take care of the horse they will take care of you.”

Meanwhile, trainer Bob Baffert reports that Kentucky Derby first-place finisher Medina Spirit, also in the running for the 3-year-old Eclipse Award, is most likely to make his next start in the Feb. 26 Saudi Cup.

The third contender for the 3-year-old Eclipse Award, Travers winner Essential Quality, will stand the 2022 season at Darley.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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