Wesley Ward

  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 Unconquerable Keen at Del Mar.   Keen Rides Out The Storm At Del Mar It was another stakes victory for the Phil D'Amato barn with the former European runner Unconquerable Keen (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) in the Stormy Liberal S. at Del Mar on Saturday (video). Bred by Nicholas Hartery, the 4-year-old gelding managed a pair of victories in his native land in the...

Knockemdown (American Pharoah), an unraced 4-year-old gelding, earned a trip to the "winner's circle" Saturday with his win in the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover. The winner in the dressage division, he bested ten other discipline's top scorers to take the honors. "I want to thank Kristen Goncharoff at e5 Racing Thoroughbreds for making the phone call, and Bob [Edwards], the leader of e5, who was looking to rehome this horse," says winning rider Alison O'Dwyer. "Wesley Ward had him in training at Turfway and when he didn't think much of him,...

Keeneland's lawn debuted during the 1985 Fall meet in an era when American turf courses were just coming into vogue. According to a back issue of the track's media guide, through 2016 they had two names for their grass course. The Keeneland Course referred to the one with rail up, while the normal configuration with it down was called the Haggin Course. Named for Louis Lee Haggin II, who was not only Keeneland's President from 1940-1956, but the decade before had purchased the 550-acre Sycamore Farm in Woodford County. Serving...

No matter whether it is April or October, if it's Keeneland, then you know a Wesley Ward 2-year-old who sets sail for a maiden voyage has a chance to sparkle. Royal Slipper (Uncle Mo) certainly did that on opening day Friday afternoon when the juvenile filly won impressively as a newly-minted 'TDN Rising Star'. Breaking along the fence, Royal Slipper shot to the lead and quickly opened up a distinct advantage up the backstretch. As fellow firster Loveland (Munnings) gave chase into the far turn, the Ward trainee continued to...

The fall isn't really, The Fall, until Keeneland arrives. Well, get your steaming pot of burgoo ready, because it's here. Scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6, the meet's opening day at the Old Keene Farm is upon us and the 10-race card includes a trio of graded stakes which all have Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' implications. Leading off is the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S. for 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs on the Main Track. Suitors for the GI Breeders' Cup Qatar Racing Sprint include MSW Bango...

"He's one of my all-time favorites," said trainer Wesley Ward. "He was an awesome horse. Extremely talented, super quick, and agile: that was really his biggest attribute. When the first jump opened, he was explosive. He would open up effortlessly. He pulled the heart away from the other horses a little bit. "He was a joy to train, a highly intelligent horse. I really appreciated the time at the barn with him every day, because based on his accomplishments I knew that our time would be limited with him and he'd...

Next (Not This Time) isn't just winning races. He is destroying the competition. A marathon-race specialist, he did it again last week at Parx, when he won the GIII Greenwood Cup S. by an astounding 25 lengths. It's been quite a ride for his trainer, Doug Cowans, who claimed the now 5-year-old last year for $62,500. To talk about Next and to discuss his future plans, Cowans joined this week's TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland. He was this week's Green Group Guest of the Week. Despite his horse's...

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...

The TDN sat down with trainer Wesley Ward for the next installment in this ongoing series presented in cooperation with the Consignors and Breeders Association (CBA). Through conversations with buyers and sellers, the series looks to contribute to the discussion on radiograph findings and their impact on racetrack success. Nothing quite goes together like Wesley Ward and winning 2-year-olds in the Spring at Keeneland. The leading trainer at six Keeneland Spring meets, Ward's early starting juveniles are usually treated as sure things when they head to the post. The group...

Against the backdrop of one of the most eagerly anticipated King Georges in recent history on Saturday, bloodstock agent Sean Grassick and trainer Kevin Coleman enjoyed something of a red-letter day of their own when Uluru (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) ran out a taking debut winner at Gowran Park.  Uluru was one of eight yearlings that Grassick purchased on behalf of Atomic Racing at the sales last year and was considered just about the most talented juvenile the commercial syndicate had to go to war with this season.  Despite showing signs...

5th-Ellis, $67,900, Msw, 8-1, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.77, fm, 4 1/4 lengths. SONG OF NORWAY (f, 2, Flatter--Cougarstown {SW, $101,723}, by Speightstown) was installed the 2-1 favorite, her position only strengthened by the late scratch of the well-meant Pinotslilgirl (Jimmy Creed). Jumping to the front in a blink of an eye from her high draw, the Wesley Ward trainee led 3-1 chance Saltwater Taffy (Twirling Candy) and Midnight Angel (West Coast) through an initial quarter in :22.12. Rolling through the a half in :45.79, the blinkered filly opened up...

Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo (Arrogate), most recently winner of the GI Belmont S., tuned up for the Aug. 26 GI Travers S. with a five-furlong work in 1:01.23 (2/10) over the main track at Saratoga Wednesday. Trained by Jena Antonucci and piloted through the work by Javier Castellano, Arcangelo was caught by NYRA Clockers through splits of :24 1/5 and :36 2/5 before galloping out in 1:14 2/5 and 1:27 flat. "He was great. It was a beautiful work. Javier was very pleased," Antonucci said. Wednesday's work was Arcangelo's third...