TDN Rising Star

There were few surprise outcomes on Leopardstown's Irish Champions card on Saturday, merely simple rubber-stamping of the positions of the season's category leaders. Step forward The Aga Khan's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S. heroine Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}--Tarana {Ire}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) in the G1 Coolmore America "Justify" Matron S., which has a history of upsets but which this time kept to script. If Dermot Weld, who had earlier opted to withdraw Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), had concerns about the winner's readiness beforehand one look...

Aidan O'Brien had already won nine of the 16 renewals of Leopardstown's revamped G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. and delivered another on Saturday with a stable one-two in the bargain. This race is a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in California. Despite the impressive attitude of Capulet (Justify) at the head of affairs, it was the 8-15 favourite Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}--Sweepstake {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}) who proved master of ceremonies as he took over a furlong from home en route to a...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'. 13.40 Chantilly, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, 1600mT ELBAZ (FR) (Siyouni {Fr}) earned TDN Rising Star status on debut in Deauville's important Prix de Crevecoeur in July and Jean-Claude Rouget opts to stick to conditions races for now with The Aga...

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the summer's boutique meetings. Summer Breezes highlights debuting 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. To follow are the entries for Saturday at Del Mar, including previously raced fillies going postward in the GI Del Mar Debutante: Saturday, September 9, 2023 Del Mar 3, $82k, 2yo, f, (S), 5 1/2f, 5:30 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($),...

The going sticks will get stuck and with the rails down or out, the Saturday graded stakes lineup trucks in with heaps of sod for your turf racing enjoyment. Whether you are a dabbling duck or one that takes a deep dive, there is something for everyone as the Downs--Kentucky and Colonial--plus Woodbine Racetrack and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, all feature high-level grass action. KENTUCKY DOWNS GRADED SIX PACK The uniquely designed turf course at Kentucky Downs cards the most graded stakes this Saturday, which will lead off with...

Lining up for Thursday's Bob McCreery Memorial British EBF Quidhampton Maiden Fillies' S. at Salisbury off an unlucky debut fourth at Sandown last month, Anthony and Sonia Rogers' Skellet (Ire) (Kingman {GB}--Dane Street, by Street Cry {Ire}) made that experience count to register TDN Rising Star number 32 for her sire. Settled in third early by Rossa Ryan, the half-sister to the G1 Moyglare Stud S., G2 Debutante S. and G3 Silver Flash S. winner Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy) had to work to get by the well-regarded Richard Hannon trainee...

Three conditioners divided-up the five graded stakes races on Pacific Classic Day. Bob Baffert and Phil D'Amato won two each and Doug O'Neill grabbed the other one. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the three winning trainers top the trainer standings at Del Mar heading into Sunday's racing. Bob Baffert was in the grandstand Sunday morning watching some of his horses work. Back at the barn, his Pacific Classic winner, Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) was resting-up from his race; Baffert indicating the 'TDN Rising Star' came out...

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Bolshoi Ballet in a the Sword Dancer S. at Saratoga Race Course.   A Song And A Dance At Saratoga Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) delivered his second Grade I in the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer S. at Saratoga on Saturday (video). Successful in the GI Belmont Derby two years previously, the 5-year-old entire...

Yann Barberot trainee Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Enchanting Skies {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}), who went three-for-three in July's Listed Prix Roland de Chambure at Deauville when last seen, continued his impressive rise through the grades with a comfortable victory in Sunday's G3 Prix La Rochette at ParisLongchamp. The 3-10 favourite, who attained 'TDN Rising Star' status at Chantilly in May, was under a firm hold off the pace in fourth through the initial fractions of this pattern-race bow. Making smooth headway into contention in the straight, he...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - With this smashing victory in the fifth race Friday, Locked (Gun Runner) graduated summa cum laude with 'TDN Rising Star' honors from the 2-year-old maiden special weight ranks at Saratoga Race Course. A month after his career debut went awry, Locked turned in a top-notch performance under Jose Ortiz, scoring by 7 1/4 lengths and covering the mile in 1:36. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said it is likely that the chestnut colt will run next in the GI Champagne S. or the GI Breeders'...

He might need to give that gopher a head start. 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega [Ire}) continued his dominance over the New York turf and picked up his second straight graded stakes win Friday at the Spa, taking the GIII Saranac S. under Tyler Gaffalione for e Five Racing. Victorious just three weeks back with a come-from-behind effort in the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. Aug. 11, the Chad Brown trainee was bet like the class of the field, going off at...

Godolphin's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac nominee Bauhinia (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}--Desert Blossom {Ire}, by Shamardal) justified that lofty entry and earned a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette with a taking debut display in Thursday's Prix de la Cascade at ParisLongchamp. Racing a shade keenly under a firm grip through halfway in this one-mile debutantes' test, the 23-10 favourite loomed large hard on the steel passing the quarter-mile marker and quickened stylishly under mild coaxing once seizing control approaching the final furlong to easily account for Cetera (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) by...