Tag: Top News

The Avengers: Five Americans Look To Take Back Saudi Cup

In the previous four runnings of the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, American-based horses have–surprisingly–passed the post in first on a single occasion while finishing second on each occasion. That 'victory' came in the much-discussed inaugural running in 2020, a result that seems likely to soon be overturned, albeit to the benefit of another American horse.

So, even though the U.S. is the epicenter of world dirt racing, its five representatives this year arguably still have something to prove when a field of 14 loads the gate around 12:40 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon. And it's anything but a fait accompli that one of them gets their picture taken in the King Abdulaziz winner's enclosure a short time thereafter.

We will analyze America's chances in these pages and will have a look at the runners from defending champion Japan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, plus previews for Saturday's five other group races back in TDN Europe.

White Abarrio (Race Day) looks to become the first winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic to double up in Riyadh and races first-up since his defeat of the re-opposing Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) at Santa Anita on the first Saturday of November. The 5-year-old really came to life at the back end of 2023, powering home in the Whitney prior to his Classic effort.

“We thought we had a chance of beating a couple of horses in the [Whitney],” trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. told the Saudi Cup notes team earlier this week. “We weren't expecting or hoping to beat Cody's Wish (Curlin), but two turns at Saratoga might not have been Cody's Wish's game, who knows, so we said we'd take a chance.

He continued, “But I never got to breeze him for the race, so we were like 10 days without breezing and you just show up. But we did breeze him the morning of [the race] and Irad [Ortiz] happened to be there watching. It wasn't my plan, I wasn't even there, I was on my way up because I had to train at Belmont but Irad caught it and he was wondering if we were going to scratch!” laughed the trainer.

“When I knew that we were coming here, it was like 11 days before we came and I was like man, they are playing into our hands because we don't need to breeze him,” the conditioner continued. “We can play the same game and right now I feel that he is over the trip and he's himself now.”

White Abarrio, who will carry the red-and-white silks of Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz, has saddle cloth 14, but gate one, and he'll want to leave there running to be handy to a pace that maps above-average quick. Dutrow has expressed his intention to blow out his charge on race morning.

 

 

 

National Treasure is one of three in the race for Quality Road, who accounted for 2022 Saudi Cup stunner Emblem Road. The $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grad employed front-running tactics to take out last year's GI Preakness S. and nearly pulled off the upset when ridden the same way in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last November. But the 4-year-old showed a bit of a rating gear when last seen in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S., as he shook free into the final furlong and held the rallying Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) in the run to the line.

“He has a good post to work from in seven,” said Jimmy Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert. “This is our fifth runner in this race, we have been second three times (Charlatan, 2021, Country Grammer, 2022-23), so we are hoping to make the breakthrough.”

Senor Buscador figures to sit a good trip from gate four beneath Junior Alvarado.

Reigning GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) may have been out of his depth in the Classic, as he was a beaten horse a long way from home, but this 1800-meter trip figures to suit him much better. He was a convincing winner of the GIII Louisiana S. when last seen Jan. 20, but those immediately behind that day made no impact in the GIII Mineshaft S. last weekend.

“I think he's more suited from a mile [1600m] to a mile and an eighth [1800m] and the one turn should be ideal for him,” jockey Florent Geroux said. “It's a very deep race. I've been on him many times before, I know him very well, the work rider has done a perfect job and I'll leave it to them.”

Hoist the Gold (Mineshaft) is the least-likely among the five U.S. horses, but did post a 109 Beyer in wiring the GII Cigar Mile H. back in December.

“It's all about winning,” said trainer Dallas Stewart. “If you're not in it to win, you best stay home and if you don't want to be in great races like this, you ought to go do something else.”

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HIWU Drops Its Case Against Jeffrey Englehart

Originally charged with administering Clenbuterol to his horse and facing a possible two-year suspension, trainer Jeffrey Englehart was cleared Friday by the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU).

The positive was found in an unraced, unnamed horse out of the mare Fast Heart that Englehart purchased for $14,000 at the OBS auction on June 15. He argued that he did not give the horse the drug and that it was had to have been given to the horse prior to his purchase at OBS. Englehart and his attorney requested that HIWU perform a segmented hair test colt, which can provide a time line for when a drug is administered. HIWU had the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of California, Davis perform the segmented test and it revealed that the Clenbuterol was in fact administered before Englehart became the trainer.

Friday, HIWU issued a statement, which read: “Following a positive test result for Clenbuterol in hair collected from Fast Heart 2021, trainer Jeffrey Englehart requested B Sample analysis and provided a formal explanation to HIWU that he believed that Clenbuterol was administered to the horse prior to his becoming the horse's Responsible Person. The right to request B Sample analysis and submit an explanation for an alleged violation is available to all Covered Persons subject to a potential violation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program.”

“Segmented analysis was performed on the B Sample of the hair by the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of California, Davis. The results of this analysis indicated that clenbuterol was administered to Fast Heart 2021 before he became a Covered Horse and before Mr. Englehart became his trainer. Thus, Mr. Englehart's explanation was confirmed, and HIWU withdrew the Equine Anti-Doping Notice that had been served on him. The case was dropped before a Provisional Suspension was imposed on Mr. Englehart or a Charge letter was served on him.

“This is great news,” said an emotional Englehart who said he did not know that the charges had been dropped until being told so by the TDN. “I'm so happy I'm shaking right now. I'm very emotional and very happy that HIWU did the right thing. The sport needs their oversight and I'm glad that in my case they decided to do the right thing.”

The colt, who was by Classic Empire, broke down on Nov. 21 at Finger Lakes and had to be euthanized. It is standard procedure for HIWU to perform tests on any horse that has to be put down, and those tests confirmed the presence of Clenbuterol, which is a banned substance. However, Clenbuterol is known to stay in a horse's system for as long as a year, which meant there was a possibility that someone gave it to the horse before he was purchased at Ocala.

The colt was purchased for $4,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale Oct. 26, 2022. The purchaser was Juan Centento, who entered the horse back in the Ocala Sales.

Centeno, who sells under the name of All Dreams Equine, has not responded to numerous phone calls, texts and emails from the TDN seeking comment. Englehart said he got Centeno on the phone for about 20 seconds before he hung up on him

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Derby Museum To Honor D. Wayne Lukas With Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

Edited Press Release

The Kentucky Derby Museum has named Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas as the inaugural recipient of the Kentucky Derby Museum's Lifetime Achievement Award. With Lukas in attendance at the Derby 150 Birthday Tribute Dinner, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 11 at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Lukas has achieved remarkable success, including four GI Kentucky Derby victories. His unparalleled dedication to the sport and influence on countless individuals in the racing community make him a deserving recipient of the Museum's first award.

In response to the announcement, Lukas shared his appreciation, saying, “I am deeply honored to receive the Kentucky Derby Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with incredible horses and talented individuals. Looking back, I get the greatest satisfaction from seeing the young people, who have been with me through thick and thin, come through our program and achieve their own great successes. The Kentucky Derby Museum has been instrumental in documenting and sharing the joy of racing with the world, and I extend my sincere thanks to the Museum for this prestigious honor.”

Entrance to the Kentucky Derby Museum | Kentucky Derby Museum

Patrick Armstrong, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum expressed his gratitude for Lukas' significant contributions, stating, “D. Wayne Lukas is a true icon in horse racing, and his legacy is woven into the fabric of the Kentucky Derby. We are honored to recognize his unparalleled achievements and lasting impact with the first-ever Kentucky Derby Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. His support for the Museum has been invaluable, and we are thrilled to celebrate his remarkable career.”

Attendees will also be the first to watch the premiere of a brand-new Derby 150 film, “Down The Stretch,” which will play in conjunction with the Museum's feature, “The Greatest Race”, through 2024.

Click here for more information.

 

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Jim McKay Maryland Million Day Set For Oct. 12

The 38th edition of Jim McKay Maryland Million Day will take place Saturday, Oct. 12 at Laurel Park, the organization that puts on the event said in Friday release.

Jim McKay Maryland Million Day, Maryland's Day at the Races, is designed to promote Maryland stallions, whose offspring compete in the races with purses and awards of over $1 million each year.

“Jim McKay Maryland Million Day, now known as Maryland's Day at the Races, celebrates Maryland's horse industry,” said Maryland Million executive director Cricket Goodall.
We have a an exciting race card and also welcome families and new fans. Every winner that day has a great story to tell. And the on-track entertainment between the races showcases all kinds of horse activities with a special kids area by the paddock.”

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