Vino Rosso

The bar is set high for the 11th annual New Vocations Breeders' Cup pledge drive. Last year's fundraiser for the nation's largest retired racehorse rehabilitation and placement program netted $130,000 from owners and trainers of Breeders' Cup entrants. The exclamation point on that record amount was provided by Vino Rosso (Curlin) winning the GI Classic, because the colt's two ownership partners--St. Elias Stable and Repole Stable--plus trainer Todd Pletcher, all pledged their support. Over the last decade New Vocations has raised $650,000 with its annual Breeders' Cup funding drive, which...

Keeneland has cataloged 3,777 horses for the 2020 November Breeding Stock Sale, which opens Monday, Nov. 9, two days after Keeneland hosts the Breeders' Cup World Championships for the second time. Buyers will be able to participate in the auction remotely through online and telephone bidding options successfully introduced at the September Yearling Sale, while the new bidding location at the Show Barn next to the Sales Pavilion again will be available to allow for proper social distancing. Keeneland's COVID-19 protocols for the November Sale will be similar to those...

Registration for the 12th Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC), which will be held in conjunction with the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland Racecourse Nov. 6-7, is now available at www.breedersCup.com/BCBC. This year's BCBC total cash prize pool is expected to be $1 million based upon a minimum of 400 players registered. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, players will not be able to participate at Keeneland this year. All BCBC tournament play will be conducted online at www.TVG.com, the official Breeders' Cup wagering partner, www.Xpressbet.com, NYRA Bets and at designated satellite...

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. Today's Observations features a trio of siblings to Grade/Group 1 winners. 12.55 Leopardstown, Mdn, €25,000, 2yo f, 7f 20yT EARTH STRIKE (IRE) (Zoffany {Ire}) is an interesting debutante in this Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden, being a half-sister to the G1 Gold Cup and dual G1 Irish...

The Jockey Club's unilateral decision to regulate the market by imposing a mare cap on the breeding industry during a period of time when the sport of horse racing has been left staggering breathlessly against the ropes following a series of jabs, crosses and uppercuts, intensifies my fears about the future of our industry. That The Jockey Club chose to deliver this edict amid a global health crisis that threatens to bring many small breeders and operators to their knees, delivers a telling body blow. On the topic of the...

Champions and Breeders' Cup winners Vino Rosso (Curlin) and Mitole (Eskendereya) both had their first mares confirmed in foal. Shine Time (Malibu Moon) checked in foal to Vino Rosso Feb. 25 for breeders Pam and Jim Robinson of Brandywine Farm. Strike Accord (Smart Strike) checked in foal to Mitole Feb. 28 at Frankfort Park Farm.

Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode four Breeders' Cup winners at the 2019 World Championships--including GI Longines Turf hero and Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar (Giant's Causeway), who he was aboard for all six of his wins from six tries last term. Ortiz's other Breeders' Cup winners were GI Longines Classic winner Vino Rosso (Curlin), GI Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile victor Spun to Run (Hard Spun) and GII Juvenile Turf Sprint scorer Four Wheel Drive (American Pharoah). Ortiz won 35 graded stakes in 2019, including 11 at the highest...

Repole and St. Elias Stable's Vino Rosso had his share of ups and downs throughout the 2019 racing season, however, he rounded out the year, as well as his racing career, in rousing fashion with an authoritative 4 1/4-length victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 2. After launching 2019 with a score in the one-mile Stymie S. last March, the chestnut was fourth in the seven-panel GI Carter H., but showed his obvious affinity for the added yardage with a 3/4-length win over Gift Box...

The 49th annual Runhappy Eclipse Awards will be held Thursday night at Gulfstream Park, with the award show itself beginning at 7:00 p.m. Up for Horse of the Year consideration are Bricks and Mortar (Giant's Causeway), who capped a perfect six-for-six season with a win in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf; Maximum Security (New Year's Day), who annexed the GI Xpressbet Florida Derby before being DQ'd from first to 17th in the GI Kentucky Derby and adding three more graded wins, including two at the highest level, to complete...

Newcomer En Wye Cee (Declaration of War) had been keeping good company in the mornings, and belied 10-1 odds Saturday afternoon at the Spa to best a strong-looking group of maidens while garnering the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction. The bay sported an upbeat tab that included a 1:01 flat breeze in company over the Oklahoma training track July 19 alongside GI Whitney S. third finisher Vino Rosso (Curlin) (Click for XBTV video) and fired a 1:01 1/5 bullet with well-bred Fort McHenry (Tapit) July 11 (Click for XBTV Video). Able...