Locked, Dornoch Clash In Fountain of Youth

Between them, Irad and Jose Ortiz have accounted for four of the last six runnings of the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S., the third of three preps on the road to the championship meeting's main event, the GI Curlin Florida Derby four weeks down the road. The brothers will have every chance to extend that dominance as they partner with two of the top fancies in Saturday's $400,000 contest, offering the winner 50 points and a virtual guaranteed berth in the field for the GI Kentucky Derby.

Jose Ortiz reunites with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner), who makes his first trip to the races since running on nicely to round out the trifecta behind stablemate and fellow 'Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile nearly four months ago. In hindsight, his 2-year-old form looks pretty strong. A closing third to future SW & GSP Just Steel (Justify) at debut odds of 12-1 at Saratoga in August, the $425,000 Keeneland September grad thrashed GII Remsen S. third and this year's Jerome S. hero Drum Roll Please (Hard Spun) going the mile at the Spa the following month. The chestnut overcame a torrid trip to validate 3-4 favoritism in Keeneland's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity in October and just failed to catch 'Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic) for second in the Juvenile, while 6 3/4 lengths behind Fierceness. Connections will be hoping for a strong pace in a race that is anything but a must-win.

Irad Ortiz will get a leg up on Speak Easy (Constitution), who earned a field-best 100 Beyer when besting the reopposing Victory Avenue (Arrogate) in a seven-furlong maiden Jan. 27. Speak Easy opts out of a two-turn Friday allowance for this and it will almost certainly be pedal to the metal from gate one the 9-2 chance. In light of the Speak Easy decision, Merit (Mastery) was to be re-routed for the aforementioned softer Friday allowance.

While the Mage connections are represented by Victory Avenue, the Kentucky Derby winner's full-brother will look to pick up where he left off in 2023. Dornoch (Good Magic) was placed in the Sapling S. as a maiden and looked very stylish in winning a two-turn test at Keeneland by open lengths Oct. 14. Favored in the Remsen, he looked a sure loser when 'Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) surged by in the final furlong, but somehow managed to claw his way back to score. The latter has since endorsed the form in the GII Risen Star S.

'Rising Star' Deterministic Returns in Gotham

It has been over 200 days since 'TDN Rising Star' Deterministic (Liam's Map) overcame a tricky trip to graduate in his only racetrack appearance to date and the $625,000 KEESEP yearling makes his sophomore debut in Saturday's GIII Gotham S., a race that lacks an obvious standout.

The priciest of his sire's 58 yearlings to sell in 2022, the dark bay missed the kick, looked uncomfortable in the opening stages, was wide and bumped with favored Eliminate (Curlin) in upper stretch and still managed to win.

“We're excited to see him run again,” said trainer Christophe Clement. “I wish I could have run in an allowance race in Florida or New York, but we could not find that race and the Gotham is really the only choice. But, I do like the horse very much.”

'TDN Rising Star' Deterministic | Sarah Andrew

Like Deterministic, Just a Touch (Justify) is only once-raced and also made the most of his debut over a sloppy six furlongs at the Fair Grounds Jan. 27. Away fairly, the bay set a tracking trip and finished full of run as the 1-2 mortal. Florent Geroux makes the trip up from the Big Easy to call the shots aboard the May foal, who has gate 10 to overcome.

“He's very athletic,” trainer Brad Cox said of Just a Touch. “He's a good-sized colt and done everything right in the mornings and he showed up first time out. It's going to be a big ask shipping him up there, but I like the idea of stretching him out to the one-turn mile. I'm hopeful he can handle that and we'll see how it goes.”

The Cox barn is also represented by Bergen (Liam's Map), yet another debut winner last October at Keeneland who toyed with four rivals to scoop a muddy renewal of the Jimmy Winkfield S. Jan. 27.

The form of the local GIII Withers S. is on display in the form of El Grande O (Take Charge Indy), who finished a nose behind Parx shipper Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion) and 2 1/2 lengths clear of favored Lightline (City of Light).

Nysos Towers Over San Felipe Fivesome

'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist) won't be traveling across the country for this year's Derby, but the Baoma Corp. colorbearer should be winning for the fourth time in as many trips to the races in Sunday's postponed GII San Felipe S.

The $550,000 OBS April breezer has won his three races by a combined 26 3/4 lengths and was up in trip for the one-mile GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Feb. 3, but handled it like a consummate pro, shooting clear in the lane to post a 7 1/2-length victory over Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso), who had three-parts of a length on Scatify (Justify) in third.

Mc Vay (Constitution), a distant fourth in the Lewis, tries again, and the Imagination (Into Mischief) is the third of the Bob Baffert trainees and is trying stakes company for the first time.

Sophomore Fillies In A Supporting Role at GP

While the 3-year-old boys continue on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the Fountain of Youth, their female counterparts take their next step toward the first Friday in May in Saturday's GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream.

The one-mile test marks the seasonal debut of George Krikorian's Eclipse-winning 2-year-old filly Just F Y I (Justify), who was last seen proving a neck best as a 7-1 gamble in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies out at Santa Anita. She was running her record to three-from-three on that occasion, having won narrowly on Saratoga sprint debut Aug. 26 ahead of a more dominating victory in the GI Frizette S. at a rainswept Aqueduct Oct. 7. Junior Alvarado, fresh off the richest payday of his career in Saudi Arabia last weekend, has the return call.

The queen of the hill, at least for the time being, Just F Y I will have to content with a race-fit 'TDN Rising Star' Leslie's Rose (Into Mischief) in the comebacker. An eased-down 9 1/4-length winner of her 6 1/2-furlong bow at the Big A Nov. 19, the $1.15-million Keeneland September grad outslugged Gun Song (Gun Runner) to take a seven-furlong first-level allowance by a length Jan. 11 and the latter flattered the form with a 5 3/4-length tally going this track's one-turn mile Feb. 9.

“We thought she'd run well the first time because we had high hopes for her, but that even exceeded our expectations,” Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I liked the way she came out of that, I liked the way she handed herself stepping up into her next race and she's continued to train very professionally.”

Into Champagne (Into Mischief) is perfect in two starts, including a 1 1/4-length success in the Glitter Woman S. run over a sloppy strip Jan. 7.

One race prior, 3-year-old turf fillies get their chance in the GIII Herecomesthebride S. Cheyenne Stable's Ozara (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) will try to take her local record to three-for-three, with previous scores in the Dec. 9 Wait A While S. and a last-out defeat of Life's an Audible (Audible) in the Jan. 6 Ginger Brew S.

Big 'Cap A World Cup Trial For Newgrange?

Newgrange (Violence) is the 5-2 favorite on the morning line for Sunday's GI Santa Anita H., with potentially bigger fish to fry in four weeks' time. A four-time winner since being acquired for $325,000 as the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale in the summer of 2022, the 5-year-old is in peak form entering the Big 'Cap, including a 2 1/4-length defeat of Mixto (Good Magic) in the GII San Antonio S. on opening day of the meet Dec. 26 before successfully defending his title in the GII San Pasqual S. Jan. 27. Connections reportedly elected to stay home for the San Pasqual over the GI Pegasus World Cup with the goal of minimizing travel with a trip to the G1 Dubai World Cup being mulled over.

Godolphin's unexposed Highland Falls (Curlin) makes the trip out for Brad Cox, with Florent Geroux named. The chestnut son of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Round Pond (Awesome Again) earned a 98 Beyer for a two-length Churchill allowance victory Nov. 17 and exits a 3/4-length tally in a second-level Fair Ground allowance Jan. 13.

Newgate (Into Mischief) went missing off a neck tally in the 2023 GIII Robert B. Lewis S. and has run well in his two starts since–a second to next-out GIII Palos Verdes S. winner Big City Lights (Mr. Big) in allowance company Jan. 6 before splitting Newgrange and Mixto last time.

Phil D'Amato also saddles the likely favorite in the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S., Easter (Fr) (Lonhro {Aus}), who looks for four straight. A half-length winner of the 2023 Lure S. when under the care of Graham Motion, the 6-year-old beat Hong Kong Harry (Ire) (Es Que Love {Ire}) on the square in the GII Seabiscuit H. at Del Mar and added a 1 1/4-length defeat of subsequent GIII San Marcos S. hero Missed the Cut (Quality Road) in the GII San Gabriel S.

Du Jour (Temple City) is capable at this level on his very best. The unluckiest sort of loser in the 2023 Kilroe, he was impressive in taking out the GII Del Mar Mile Sept. 2 and though he was only 10th in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, he was beaten just 3 1/2 lengths.

Goliad (War Front) exits an audacious pillar-to-post victory beneath Kazushi Kimura in the GIII Thunder Road S. over this course and distance Feb. 3 and tries Grade I company for the first time at age seven.

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Derby And Oaks Points Ripe On Graded Sunny Saturday At Oaklawn

The massive deep freeze which crippled the second half of Oaklawn Park's January cards seems like a distant memory, as weekend weather in Hot Springs looks to punch through the upper 60s and into the lower 70s. The sunshine will be a welcome sight with points intended for passage to the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks ripe for the picking.

 

Timberlake Favorite Choice in Rebel

The Arkansas series for the colts features another running of the GII Rebel S., which brings together a field of 13.

The class headliner looking to take home 50 Derby credits to the winner is 'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief). Bred by St. Elias and owned by WinStar, the Brad Cox trainee is coming off the shelf for his 3-year-old debut.

Last summer, the bay powered across the Ellis Park wire by 9 1/4 lengths which earned him a 'Rising Star' blue ribbon at second asking. As the runner-up in the GI Hopeful S. at Saratoga, he returned to New York a month later to capture the GI Champagne S. during the Belmont at the Big A meet. His juvenile campaign came to a close when he finished fourth to 'Rising Stars' Fierceness (City of Light), Muth (Good Magic) and Locked (Gun Runner) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita.

“We gave him a little bit of a break after the Breeders' Cup,” said Cox. “He had a long campaign, and we were very happy with what he was able to accomplish at the age of 2. Just excited about what lies ahead for him. He's really turned it on over the last two weeks with his works. We feel like we've got him about as good as we're going to get him.”

Timberlake is the only entry without an attempt over the local strip in Hot Springs. Out of the other 12, Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, who welcomed as an investor current Oaklawn leading owner Staton Flurry, will look for 'TDN' Rising Star' Carbone (Mitole) to improve. The favorite in the GIII Southwest S. turned in a seventh-place finish.

Others in for a bushel full of points include a pair from Ken McPeek's shedrow. Northern Flame (Flameaway) missed hitting the board last fall in the GI Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland and in the GIII Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs. However, his gate to wire win against optional claimers at Oaklawn Jan. 28 proves he can be dangerous up front. His stablemate Common Defense (Karakontie {Jpn}) displays the complete opposite running style, as he likes to be heard from late in the game.

“(Northern Flame) has improved from 2 to 3,” said trainer Ken McPeek, who just celebrated his 2,000th victory this week. “He fought on well in that allowance race. He's a good, solid colt. … (Common Defense) didn't like the mud last time. I'm hoping for a dry track this weekend. I started to take him to the (Mar. 2) Battaglia Memorial at Turfway because I think ultimately his future may be on turf. He worked so good this week that I went ahead and put him back in at Oaklawn.”

Making his third start over the Oaklawn dirt is the experienced picker Just Steel (Justify) for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who was the runner-up in the GIII Southwest S. He will break to the inside of an upstart named Time for Truth (Omaha Beach) on the stretch out for conditioner Ron Moquett and principal owner Harry T. Rosenbaum.

 

Honeybee Could Be Sweet For West Omaha

West Omaha | Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.

Just as with the boys, the fillies are also looking to harvest a top prize of 50 points. Their haul in Saturday's GIII Honeybee S. will be applied towards a spot in the starting gate for the GI Kentucky Oaks.

Leading the charge is another from Cox's stable, who like Timberlake, has been working out at his Fair Grounds base. Gary and Mary West's homebred West Omaha (West Coast) was scratched out of the GII Rachel Alexandra S. after she won the Silverbulletday S. by five lengths in New Orleans Jan. 20.

The filly will tangle the Martha Washington S. winner Band of Gold (Preservationist). The McPeek trainee turned on the jets down the lane in that Feb. 3 stakes race and won by 2 3/4 lengths in what was an impressive display of speed.

Finally, Greg Tramontin, who left racing for 23 years before returning once again as an owner in 2018, enters Alys Beach (Omaha Beach). The chestnut debuted a winner last summer at Saratoga under Tom Amoss, but she was a well-beaten fourth in the GI Spinaway S. upstate before the meet closed and when she faded to third in the GI Alcibiades S. at Keeneland in early October.

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It’ll Be Time For Truth Come Oaklawn’s Rebel

When considering the speculative nature of America's financial future, President Harry S. Truman famously exhorted his aides to bring him a one-handed economist.

“All of my economists say 'on the one hand'…, then 'but on the other hand'…,” the plain-talking Missourian from Independence famously quipped.

To put it another way, convictions matter, not the pros and cons. You are either in or you're not. Horse racing, or more specifically preparing for the 150th Kentucky Derby is no different. It's about possessing sterner stuff.

Another Harry Truman, Harry Truman Rosenblum that is, knows this all too well. His father, Dr. Hyman Rosenblum of Little Rock, Arkansas named his son after his close friend 'Give-Em Hell Harry', and the former chief executive served as the boy's godfather.

Harry T. Rosenblum | courtesy of Harry T. Rosenblum

Bitten by the racing bug before he attended Hendrix College, Rosenblum has spent 39 years owning Thoroughbreds. He has dreamed of Derby glory–both the Arkansas and the Kentucky variety–not just for himself, but for what it means for his state.

“I've been in this position before, coming into a big race like the Rebel with a horse and it just conjures so many emotions because of the spirit we have in this state for racing,” he said.

On Saturday, the path to 150 rolls through Oaklawn Park as the Cella's storied track once again will play host to the next leg in their Arkansas series–the GII Rebel S.–a race which offers 50 Derby points to the winner.

A senior investment manager in Little Rock, Rosenblum couldn't be more pleased that his colt Time for Truth (Omaha Beach–Shape Shifter by Lookin At Lucky) has made the Hot Springs starting gate. As a 15-1 morning-line shot, the 3-year-old will face 12 others, including a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars' in Carbone (Mitole) and Timberlake (Into Mischief).

After hearing about the horse's smart :9 4/5 furlong workout during the Under Tack Show at last year's OBS April Sale, Rosenblum purchased the juvenile bred by Dominique Damico as a late April foal through the auction house for $47,000 after the dark bay RNA'd. A minor vet issue didn't deter him, especially when he watched the gallop out from the show.

“I was just very impressed with that performance, the year that Omaha Beach had last year as a first-crop sire contributed of course, and once you see just how intelligent he is, it confirmed early that we had something special going,” Rosenblum said. “So, then it was time to send him to Ron Moquett and his team.”

Naming his new acquisition after a book by American businessman William E. Simon, Rosenblum already knew that the Arkansas-born Moquett, whose stakes victories include a win in the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint with the irascible, but supremely talented Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect), was the perfect fit.

Team Moquett saddles Time for Truth with cotton in his ears to keep him calm before his debut | Owney Creative

“Ron and I won the Smarty Jones and [GIII] Southwest together and there is no one in the business who I trust more than him to make sound decisions,” he said. “His staff is just first class and everyone takes such great care of whoever you send to them.”

The pair watched as Far Right (Notional) swept the 2015 Smarty and the Southwest, but running into eventual Triple Crown champ American Pharoah in the GI Arkansas Derby was a tough break. Far Right was 15th in the Kentucky Derby.

Flashing forward to this year, a win by Time for Truth in the Rebel would have several levels of meaning for Moquett. As an Arkansas guy, he's immersed in the history and culture of racing in his state. It's never lost on him about what big races mean.

“The history of the Rebel, who has won it and obviously how it propels a horse's career is why we enter,” the conditioner said. “Nice horses belong in the Kentucky Derby and for us here, there is no greater title than the Arkansas Derby, and that is where we are trying to get with Time for Truth.”

Every owner and their trainer have target races. The way you ready your horse for something like the Rebel is to back into it. In other words, you figure out the best path by working in reverse.

But you can't push a position–as horsemen understand it–because plans go awry.

Like Rosenblum explained, “You have to manage risk constantly in this business, horse racing is no different, and preconceived notions can get you into hot water very quickly.”

Once Time for Truth posted an 89 Beyer when he broke his maiden at first asking by 1 3/4 lengths at Oaklawn Dec. 31, it was time for Rosenblum and Moquett to sit down and have a conversation about the Rebel and the Arkansas Derby.

The meeting between the two was one of those junctures where practiced apathy and risk management mixes with aggressive moves. If you are lucky, then you might be able to employ a touch of strategic planning.

Time for Truth with hotwalker Roxanna Lopez | J.N. Campbell

“I prefer the word nimble,” says assistant trainer Chance Moquett, Ron's son, who spent 15 years in the corporate world before returning to be a part of his father's operation. “We grapple with unpredictability all the time here at Oaklawn because it is what we're used to.”

Unlike other tracks whose surfaces benefit from chemicals which help keep them stable, Oaklawn's is devoid of such agents because of the park's rules designation. Thus, the setup, the training, really every aspect around the dirt oval, is constantly subject to change.

Winters especially can wreak havoc on Derby Trail planning and that is precisely what happened with Time for Truth's preparation during the second half of January with a blast of frigid temperatures that sent the thermometers to the basement.

In situations when the weather intervenes, keeping a horse like Time for Truth on the muscle falls to Moquett's crack team of grooms and exercise riders. Jose Espinoza, who has been with Moquett for a dozen years and served as Whitmore's groom, manages the colt's daily care, while Roxanna Lopez hotwalks him every day. Both did countless circuits with him around Barn Whitmore on the backside, as everyone waited for the sun to come out.

By the time it did, the Moquetts were resolved that they had two choices for Rosenblum, who in the interim had sold a 30% stake in the horse to Cheyenne Stables in what he calls “a business decision to help mitigate risk.” After a couple of four furlong sets Jan. 29 and Feb. 3, there was an allowance race that Time for Truth could make or the other option would be the Feb. 10 running of the newly minted Ozark S. The team opted for the latter and though it was a runner-up ending to Valentine Candy (Justify), objectives were met.

“In lieu of a big breeze, that stakes race took on the part,” Chance Moquett said. “I mean it was a muddy track, facing a much more experienced horse like the winner, our colt went off as the favorite and this is what you do when you are backing into a race like the Rebel.”

Time for Truth breaks his maiden at Oaklawn | Coady Photography

A favorite among anyone who has sat on him, Time for Truth's mild-mannered Clark Kent style has impressed Moquett's staff. Exercise rider Greta Kuntzweiler called his way “incredibly unusual,” which coupled nicely with what veteran jockey Rafael Bejarano said, “when you ask him, he responds.”

Chance Moquett added, “Our plan last Sunday was to go 50 flat and that is exactly what Greta did with him. She's just that exact with everything she does, if you need a lick going :50.13, then that's what you get. Now, we are going to find out if this colt can take us where we want to go.”

Being nimble and looking for key moments of progression leads his connections to enter their 3-year-old in the Rebel.

Time for Truth may have never traveled two turns yet, but his Arkansas-based principal owner and trainer certainly think he has what it takes to get them to the Arkansas Derby and beyond.

For Rosenblum, the Moquetts and their stable, there is no indecision and only one course. President Truman would be pleased. So, now it's just time for truth come Saturday.

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Arcangelo, Arabian Knight and Ushba Tesoro Among 205 Breeders’ Cup Pre-Entries List

Led by MGISW Arcangelo (Arrogate), GISW Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo), and MG1SW Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), 205 horses, including 59 from overseas, and four 2022 champions who return to defend their titles, have been pre-entered for the 40th Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park. The Breeders' Cup will be televised live domestically on NBC, Peacock, USA Network, and FanDuel TV. Additionally, the NBC World Feed will be sent to more than 150 countries around the globe. Click here to view all of the 2023 Breeders' Cup World Championships Pre-Entered Fields.

Eighteen horses have been pre-entered for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, led by Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo, who took command of the 3-year-old male division with four consecutive wins, highlighted by back-to-back scores in the GI Belmont S. and GI Travers Stakes for trainer Jena Antonucci.

Two California-based 3-year-olds also figure prominently in the Classic picture. Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.'s Arabian Knight was defeated by Pin Oak Stud LLC's Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GI TVG.com Haskell S. at Monmouth Park, but the 'TDN Rising Star' triumphed over him in the GI FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic S. at Del Mar.

Ushba Tesoro | Horsephotos

Also present is Japanese-bred Ushba Tesoro for trainer Noboru Takagi. The winner of this year's G1 Dubai World Cup was last seen prepping for this spot with a victory Sept. 25 in the Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Racecourse in Japan.

The deep list of 3-year-olds continues with Mage (Good Magic), winner of the GI Kentucky Derby; Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), who captured the GI Pennsylvania Derby; Japanese contender Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), who won the G2 UAE Derby at Meydan; White Abarrio (Race Day), winner of the GI Whitney S. at Saratoga; and Bright Future (Curlin), who captured the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. upstate.

Top female stars head the list of pre-entrants for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. GISW Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) has won five of six starts on the West Coast this year, and four of those were at Santa Anita. Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, she comes in off a 5 1/4-length score in the GII Zenyatta S.

Heading West, Juddmonte's 4-year-old Idiomatic (Curlin), trained by Brad Cox, emerged as a star in this division with four graded stakes wins, including back-to-back Grade I victories in the Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga and the Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland.

Randomized | Sarah Andrew

Trainer Chad Brown has pre-entered two from Klaravich Stables, Inc.: the 3-year-old Randomized and the 5-year-old Search Results (Flatter). A daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Nyquist, Randomized has won three straight races, highlighted by a win in the Alabama S. at Saratoga. Search Results, sixth in last year's Distaff, was a recent winner of the GIII Locust Grove S. at Churchill Downs.

In the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, MG1SW Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) leads the European contingent along with Shadwell Estate Company's MG1SW Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Amo Racing's G1SW King of Steel (Wootoon Bassett {GB}). The U.S. squad is well-represented with MGISW Up to the Mark (Not This Time) and MGISW War Like Goddess (English Channel) also pre-entered.

In the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, Sunday Racing Co. Ltd.'s multiple group stakes winner in Japan Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) earned two Breeders' Cup Challenge automatic berths at Tokyo Race Course when she captured the G1 Victoria Mile for an automatic starting position into the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, and then received a slot in the Mile when she won the June 7 G1 Yasuda Kinen S. Also entered is MG1SW Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and from the U.S., MGISW Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed).

Cody's Wish | Sarah Andrew

Headlining the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile is Godolphin's defending champion Cody's Wish (Curlin). He could tangle with GI Preakness S. champ National Treasure (Quality Road), and GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move (Practical Joke).

In the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, 3-year-old Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has registered back-to-back group 1 scores at York and ParisLongchamp. She could face the John and Thady Gosden-trained English and French multiple group 1 winner Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Canadian-based MGISW Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) and the U.S.-based GISP Didia (Arg) (Orpen).

In the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint includes Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), who won last year's race by 2 1/2 lengths for trainer Chad Brown. Godolphin's Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile) defeated Goodnight Olive in the GI Derby City Distaff S. back in May and will look to challenge her once more.

MGISW Caravel (Mizzen Mast) was a shocking 42-1 gate-to-wire winner of last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. She's back for trainer Brad Cox and the 6-year-old might grapple with English group 1 winner Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) and Japanese multiple group stakes winner Jasper Krone (Frosted).

Finally on Saturday, in the GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), Juddmonte's MGISW Elite Power (Curlin) looks to defend as he squares off against MGISW Dr. Schivel (Violence).

Muth | Benoit

Standouts on the 'Future Stars Friday' program include four Grade I winners, who were named 'TDN Rising Stars'. Topping the 12 who are pre-entries for the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile list is Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm's Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner Locked (Gun Runner), Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.'s American Pharoah S. winner Muth (Good Magic), GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity victor Prince of Monaco (Speightstown)—racing for SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stables LLC et al—and Siena Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLC's Champagne S. winner Timberlake (Into Mischief).

Headliners for the Juvenile Turf Sprint (24 pre-entries) include: Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), for trainer George Weaver, who took the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot.

The GI NetJets Juvenile Fillies includes 15 pre-entries, marked by the presence of 'TDN Rising Stars' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) and V V's Dream (Mitole).

The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf has 25 pre-entries, including GSW Buchu (Justify), GISW She Feels Pretty (Karakonite {Jpn}) and English group 2 winner Carla's Way (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}).

Friday's finale, the GI Prevagen Breeders' Juvenile Turf, has drawn 17 pre-entries, including 'TDN Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road) and GISW Carson's Run (Cupid)). MGSP Unquestionable (Fr) (Wooton Bassett {GB}) is one of many representing Europe.

“Once again, an outstanding group of horses has been pre-entered for this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships and we look forward to two days of fantastic racing at Santa Anita Park,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. “The competition has never been stronger and the prestige of entering the Breeders' Cup winner's circle has never been higher. We want to thank the talented men and women across the globe who provide the ecosystem of care that enables these magnificent Thoroughbreds to compete at the top of their game. We can't wait to gather next weekend to watch the world's best Thoroughbreds put on a spectacular show.”

Race Order and Wagering Menu Announced…

The official order of races and wagering menu for the 2023 Breeders' Cup were also announced Wednesday. There will be a total of 10 races (five Breeders' Cup races) on the first day of the Championships–“Future Stars Friday”–and 12 races on the Saturday program (nine Breeders' Cup races).

The Friday program begins at 2:30 a.m. ET with four undercard races. A Santa Anita allowance race (Race 10) will conclude the first-day card with a post time of 8:10 p.m. ET.

Championship Saturday's first post is 1:10 p.m. ET and begins with two undercard races. Saturday's program will conclude with a Santa Anita allowance race (Race 12) with a post time of 8:30 p.m. ET.

This year, a total of 27 countries, including Canada, England, France, Germany, and Ireland, will be offering pari-mutuel, commingled wagering on the World Championships through the Breeders' Cup Global Pool.

Nine other jurisdictions will be offering separate pool wagering: Argentina, Australia, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Paraguay, and Turkey.

The 2023 wagering menu will include a Breeders' Cup All-Turf $3 Pick 3 on Friday. The three races, in order, are the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Race 5), the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Race 7), and the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Race 9).

The Breeders' Cup All-Turf Pick 4 on Saturday is a $.50 minimum wager and will package four of the best turf races in the world together. The four races, in order, are the GI Breeders' Cup Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (Race 4), the Breeders' Cup FanDuel Mile (Race 6), and the GI Breeders' Cup Turf (Race 8), and the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (Race 10).

For the first time, the Breeders' Cup will offer the Breeders' Cup All-Dirt Pick 4 on Saturday, which is a $.50 minimum wager. The four races, in order, are the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Race 5), the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (Race 7), the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (Race 9), and the GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (Race 11).

Both the All-Turf Pick 4 and the All-Dirt Pick 4 will have a 15% takeout.

Breeders' Cup will also offer a third, middle Pick 5 on Saturday, starting with Race 3. The early Pick 5 will start with Race 1 and the late Pick 5 with Race 7. Last year's late Pick 5 on Saturday generated a $4.8 million pool while the late Pick 4 offered a $3 million pool.

Championships Race Order (All Times Eastern)…

The first Championship race on “Future Stars Friday” will be the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (5:00 p.m.) followed by the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (5:40 p.m.), the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (6:20 p.m.), the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (7:00 p.m.) and the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (7:40 p.m.).

Championship Saturday begins with two undercard races followed by the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (2:30 p.m.), the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (3:10 p.m.), the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (3:50 p.m.), the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (4:30 p.m.), the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (5:10 p.m.), the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (5:50 p.m.), the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (6:40 p.m.), the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (7:25 p.m.), and the GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (8:00 p.m.).

The post Arcangelo, Arabian Knight and Ushba Tesoro Among 205 Breeders’ Cup Pre-Entries List appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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