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Yibir Blows Out for Man o’ War

Reigning Eclipse Award-winning turf male Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) took to the Belmont turf course Thursday morning for some light work ahead of his appearance in Saturday's GI Man o' War S.

With rider Shane Fetherstonhaugh aboard, the 4-year-old schooled a bit in the Belmont paddock before heading out to the track around 9 a.m., where he was allowed to stretch out through the final stages.

“He went out to the turf so he could have a light canter and then he just had a little blowout down the straight for a couple of furlongs to open up his lungs and stretch his legs,” said Chris Connett, traveling assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby. “Shane was very happy with him and the way he was moving and covering the ground.”

Impressive winner of the $1-million Jockey Club Derby Invitational at the Long Island oval last term, Yibir made his 4-year-old debut in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, dropping a heartbreaking decision to G1 Japanese Derby hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Last seen finishing second in the G2 Jockey Club S. at Newmarket Apr. 29, Yibir arrived in New York early Sunday and cleared quarantine Tuesday.

“The longer he's been here the better he's looking,” Connett added. “He's matured from three to four and he's showing that he's taking it all in stride. We're very pleased with him.”

Yibir has the services of regular rider William Buick in the Man o' War.

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Derby Winner Rich Strike To Bypass Preakness

Rich Strike (Keen Ice), who sensationally upended last Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby as the 80-1 longest shot in the field of 20, will bypass the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico May 21, owner Rick Dawson said Thursday afternoon.

“Our original plan for Rich Strike was contingent on the Kentucky Derby–should we not run in the Derby, we would point toward the Preakness, should we run in the Derby, subject to the race outcome and the condition of our horse, we would give him more recovery time and rest and run in the Belmont or another race and stay on course to run with five or six weeks' rest between races,” Dawson said in a statement released by 1/ST.

“Obviously, with our tremendous effort and win in the Derby, it's very, very tempting to alter our course and run in the Preakness at Pimlico, which would be a great honor for all our group, however, after much discussion and consideration with my trainer Eric Reed and a few others, we are going to stay with our plan of 'what's best for Ritchie is what's best for our group,' and pass on running in the Preakness, and point toward the Belmont in approximately five weeks.

“We thank the wonderful Preakness and Pimlico folks that have reached out to us and very much appreciate the invite.”

The Derby winner's defection comes just one day after trainer D. Wayne Lukas confirmed that GI Longines Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath (Arrogate) would back up in the second leg of the Triple Crown. Epicenter (Not This Time), who finished 3/4 of a length behind Rich Strike in the Derby, is also moving on to Old Hilltop, while a decision on third-placed Zandon (Upstart) is pending. The latter's stablemate Early Voting (Gun Runner) is already a confirmed starter in the Preakness and Derby fourth Simplification (Not This Time) is already on the Pimlico backstretch.

Claimed for $30,000 out of a second-out maiden victory at Churchill last September, Rich Strike was beaten 14 lengths into fifth by Epicenter in the Dec. 26 Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds and entered the Derby off a third behind Tiz the Bomb (Hit It a Bomb) in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park Apr. 2.

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Bidding Open for Fasig May Digital Sale

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 24 entries for its May Digital Selected Sale, which may now be viewed here. Bidding is officially open and will close this Tuesday, May 17, at 2 pm EDT.

“Successful results in our initial online auctions are generating substantial interest from sellers in the Fasig-Tipton Digital platform,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “This May Digital catalogue features another quality group of breeding stock offerings and some very exciting horses of racing age. Included among the horses of racing age are some impressive recent stakes winners and promising last-out 2-year-old and 3-year-old maiden special weight winners.”

Horses of racing age on offer include Tom's Regret (Tom's Tribute) (Hip 12), an undefeated California-bred 2-year-old filly that defeated colts in the Kentucky Juvenile S. last week at Churchill Downs; and Awesome Strong (Awesome Slew)(Hip 24), a 2-year-old Florida-bred colt that recently won his debut at Gulfstream by six lengths.

Also included among the horses of racing age are Sadie Bluegrass (Bluegrass Cat)(Hip 20), winner of the Camilla Urso S. at Golden Gate Apr. 30; as well as recent maiden special eeight winners Baltasar (Bodemeister) (Hip 17) and Sunny Lane (Mastery) (Hip 21).

The catalogue also offers an attractive group of in-foal mares–including black-type performers and graded stakes producers–in foal to Candy Ride (Arg), Improbable, Independence Hall, Knicks Go, Silver State, Tiz the Law, and Volatile. MSW & GSP Truth Hurts (Tonalist) (Hip 13) is being offered as a broodmare prospect.

Each entry's page features a catalogue-style pedigree, five-cross pedigree, photos, and walking videos. Horses of racing age and racing/broodmare prospect pages offer Daily Racing Form Past Performances, Thoroughmanager past performances, Ragozin speed figures, and race replays. Access to veterinary information and a repository are available on applicable entries.

Location information for entries is also provided, and registered bidders may contact sellers from the entry's page to arrange an inspection or ask for additional information.

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Record Purses for 2022 Colonial Downs Meet

Colonial Downs will offer a record of more than $600,000 in daily average purses and an expanded stakes schedule for the upcoming 2022 meet, starting July 11. The meet has six extra race days this year.

The stakes schedule is highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Virginia Derby and $200,000 Virginia Oaks Sept. 6. Maiden special weight races during the meeting will carry a $60,000 purse.

As a bonus, once again, all owners will be guaranteed $1,000 per start or their share of the purse money, and all trainers will receive $300 per start as recognition for participation every race, every day.

“In an ultra-competitive racing environment, we look forward to another season with bigger purses and greater incentives for our horsemen and industry stakeholders towards increased participation in the 2022 season,” said Jill Byrne, Colonial Downs Vice President of Racing Operations. “Our team is excited to present a wide-ranging program of racing opportunities on our outstanding racing surfaces.”

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