Robert Bruce

Orpen (Lure--Bonita Francita, by Devil's Bag), a leading sire in South America since his arrival on the continent in the mid-2000s, passed away Jan. 26 following emergency colic surgery, Turf Diario reports. He was 25 years old. A $525,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase in 1996, around the same time his half-brother Jules (Forty Niner) won the GIII Nashua S. in New York, Orpen annexed the 1998 G1 Prix Morny in the colors of John Magnier and entered stud in Ireland for the 2000 breeding season. Also a half-brother to SW...

When stablemates Bricks and Mortar (Giant's Causeway) and Robert Bruce (Chi) (Fast Company {Ire}) first met in the June 8 GI Manhattan S. at Belmont, division-leading Bricks and Mortar got the jump while Robert Bruce was stuck in some midstretch traffic, and kicked away to a 1 1/2-length conquest. Saturday, the two will reconvene at Arlington Park for the 37th running of the GI Arlington Million, where Robert Bruce will be defending his title after taking home last year's Million trophy. Klaravich Stables and Bill Lawrence's Bricks and Mortar, four-for-four...

Peter Brant's Eclipse Award winner Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) is one of eight pre-entries for and looks to become the first in the 30-year history to win the GI Beverly D. S. more than once when she lines up in the 9 1/2-furlong heat at Arlington Park Aug. 10. Trainer Chad Brown, who has sent out the winner of the Beverly D. for four consecutive years, is also set to be represented by GI American Oaks winner Competitionofideas (Speightstown) as well as Brant's Thais (Fr) (Rio de la Plata), a...