Santa Barbara (Ire)

I don't know which is the greater compliment, the one extended across the continent or the one across the ocean. Putting them together, however, the hosts of the GI Belmont Derby Invitational can feel confident they must be doing something right. This race has now obtained such stature that the most exciting turf sophomore in the land has had to join the recent defections from the Bob Baffert barn in order to take part--even though Du Jour (Temple City) represents a partnership comprising Debbie Lanni and Baffert's own wife, Jill....

There have been valid excuses for her missing the target so far in 2021, but Sunday's G1 Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh offers the ideal opportunity for 'TDN Rising Star' Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) to deliver on her promise. Lacking vital experience when fourth in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket May 2 she was probably undone by a combination of a 12-furlong trip and testing ground when fifth in the June 4 G1 Epsom Oaks. "She clearly ran a hugely promising race for a horse coming...

The 1 1/2-mile £395,000 G1 Cazoo Oaks has drawn a field of 14, including ante-post favourite and 'TDN Rising Star' Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) for Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien who will leave from stall four. Joining the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas fourth from Ballydoyle is G3 Tattersalls Musidora S. heroine Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), G3 Kilcarn Stud Flame Of Tara Irish EBF S. victress Divinely (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the Group 3 placed Willow (Ire) (American Pharoah), and La Joconde (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay...

Joseph O'Brien revealed on Friday morning that John Oxley's 'TDN Rising Star' Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) will miss Sunday's G1 Qipco 1000 Guineas due to an unsatisfactory scope. The G1 Fillies' Mile winner's absence is a serious blow to the mile Classic, for which 12 fillies were confirmed headed by fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). "It's obviously disappointing and very frustrating for everybody involved, as we were really looking forward to seeing how she would get on in the Guineas," O'Brien told Racing Post. "However,...

Coolmore's hitherto untested Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}), went postward as a 9-2 chance for Saturday's Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden at The Curragh and made a mockery of those odds with a taking display to earn TDN Rising Stardom on debut. Breaking in mid division and remaining there through halfway in the one-mile test, she made eyecatching headway on the bridle along the far-side fence to seize control approaching the...