Breeders’ Cup Watch: Nashville Derby Upsetter Returns in Hill Prince

October 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Caroline St BeatMadaket Stables and Steven Bouchey’s New York-bred Caroline St. Beat was an emphatic winner on short rest in the Grade 2 Nashville Derby on September 5 at Kentucky Downs, and will look to continue his upward trajectory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Hill Prince, a 1 3/16-mile inner turf route for sophomores, at Belmont Park.

Trained by Miguel Clement, the son of Tiz the Law has made a rapid ascent through the ranks from a state-bred maiden-winner to Grade 2 victor in just five starts. He debuted successfully going 1 1/16 miles last August at Saratoga Race Course, and rallied with aplomb to edge clear by 2 1/4-lengths ahead of a one-length second to Jaxer in the state-bred Notebook cutting back to one mile in November to close out his juvenile campaign.

Caroline St. Beat returned in July with a hard-fought second by a neck to Chummers in the state-bred Rick Violette, the two foes brushing together and battling on through the lane before Chummers completed the course in 1:40.61. One month later, Caroline St. Beat would be entered in a Saratoga state-bred allowance tilt going 1 1/16-miles on August 29, as well as the Grade 2 Nashville Derby at 1 5/16 miles one week later at Kentucky Downs.

It appeared any intention to head to the Bluegrass State was abandoned when Caroline St. Beat took on elders in the Saratoga allowance, pouncing from seventh-of-11 and grinding away with a five-wide bid to land a half-length score over Sammy C Note in a final time of 1:42.48. But just one week later, Caroline St. Beat did not scratch from the Nashville Derby, and defeated nine rivals when he tracked 2 1/2 lengths off the pace and tipped out to drive home a 1 1/2-length winner over Glacius. The win garnered a field-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure.

Breeders’ Cup Watch

“All the credit goes to the owners for being bold enough to do it,” Clement said. “He’s a very tough horse. He eats remarkably well, he’s got great bone, and physically, he’s very impressive to look at. If there’s a horse in the barn that could handle that kind of training and shipping, he would be the prime candidate to do something that bold.”

The consistent chestnut has delivered a strong effort in each of his five outings, and has quickly built a lofty bankroll of $1,175,875 thanks in great part to the lucrative Nashville Derby score.

Clement said Caroline St. Beat has been a consummate professional since Day One.

“He’s doing great. We’ve always loved him and think very highly of him,” Clement said.

Bred by Lawrence Goichman, Caroline St. Beat was purchased for $100,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York-bred Yearling Sale and is out of the multiple stakes-winning Scat Daddy mare Myhartblongstodady.

Manny Franco, aboard for Caroline St. Beat’s first four starts, climbs back aboard from post 6.

Willow Pond Sable’s Lennox the Grey [post 4, Antonio Fresu] also enters off a graded stakes victory after defeating the Clement-trained The Big Con by a nose in the Grade 3 Old Dominion Derby on September 7 at Colonial Downs.

Trained by Arnaud Delacour, the Liam’s Map gray is nearly perfect in three starts at Colonial for his conditioner, who took over the colt’s training following two starts with Catherine Day Phillips last summer at Woodbine Racetrack. Debuting for Delacour in July, Lennox the Grey was a neck second with a prominent trip in a one-mile turf allowance in July ahead of a deep-closing 3 1/4-length win from 9 1/2 lengths back in a similar tilt on August 1.

Lennox the Grey faced his farthest test to date in the nine-furlong Old Dominion Derby, and set a pressured pace through splits of 24.57 seconds, 50.80 and 1:15.54 under Mychel Sanchez. He dispatched the pestering Chambersville – who reopposes here – before digging in gamely and staving off the rush of The Big Con in a final time of 1:49.77, earning a career-best 84 Beyer for the win.

A $130,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sake, Lennox the Grey is out of the Awesome Again mare Satisfaction, a half-sister to Grade 1-winner Dancing Forever that produced graded stakes-placed stakes-winner Miss Yearwood and Grade 2-placed winner Tuggle. The deep family also includes Satisfaction’s half-sister Castanet, who produced Grade 3-winner Carrumba – dam of this year’s Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets-winner Golden Tempo.

Owner Marc Keller and trainer Bobby Riabudo teamed up to find stakes success on October 2 with Scalene in the Bertram F. Bongard here, and will look to continue their run of good form with the Munnings colt Print [post 1, Ricardo Santana, Jr.].

The chestnut was last seen winning a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming tilt on August 29 at the Spa, where he made a strong rally from seventh-of-8 and 6 1/2 lengths off the pace for the willing victory in a final time of 1:40.92 under regular pilot Ricardo Santana, Jr., earning a career-best 88 Beyer.

Print gave a good account of himself against graded company just 22 days prior to that effort in the Spa’s Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, where he endured a bumpy beginning and trailed in last-of-7 before swinging five-wide and showing good courage to land fourth just 2 1/2 lengths back of the victorious Bottas.

“In the Hall of Fame, we were only beaten about 2 1/2 lengths, and we had trouble in that race,” Ribaudo said. “I think he’s improving.”

A Kentucky homebred for Keller, Print is out of the Grade 3-placed Artie Schiller mare Promotional, who produced the stakes-placed Daunt for these connections. Promotional is also a half-sister to dual Grade 1-winning multimillionaire Marketing Mix.

Ribaudo said the colt’s breeding should serve him well as he faces his farthest test to date.

“The family says long, even though his better races have been at a mile and a sixteenth,” Ribaudo said. “That dam, she was a mile and three-eighths horse, and she’s a half to Marketing Mix, so it’s a great family. I don’t think the distance will be a problem.”

Completing the field are last-out Gio Ponti runner-up and stakes-winner Third Coast [post 9, Jose Lezcano] for trainer Tom Proctor; Old Dominion Derby third-place finisher Chambersville [post 8, Javier Castellano] for trainer Ken McPeek; restricted Listed Saranac-winner Heeere’s Johnny [post 3, Dylan Davis] for trainer Ray Handal; allowance-level victor Versailles Road [post 7, Edgard Zayas] for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher; and maiden-winners Protect and Defend [post 2, Smauel Marin] for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and Bull Shoals [post 5, Kendrick Carmouche] for conditioner Jena Antonucci.

The Hill Prince is slated as Race 10 on Saturday’s 11-race program, which also includes the inaugural running of the $175,000 Bricks and Mortar in Race 8. First post is 12:05 p.m. Eastern.

General admission at Belmont Park is available for $7 when purchased in advance and provides fans with access to grandstand seats on most days, all areas within the first floor of the grandstand and the backyard. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/tickets/.

America’s Day at the Races presents daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule/.

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Breeders’ Cup Watch: 2yo Filly Dotsy

October 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Trainer John Grabowski surveyed a shedrow of nine trainees this week at his Finger Lakes Racetrack base, turning his attention to a juvenile gray filly by Tacitus. On Saturday, Grabowski would lead her through the Belmont Park paddock and onto the racetrack with a cautious optimism that his early assessment of her would come to fruition in the Grade 1, $500,000 Frizette.

Those dreams became a reality when the precocious Dotsy loomed large in the turn of the one-mile Frizette and kicked clear with large strides under Kendrick Carmouche to coast home first and provide her conditioner with his first stakes win, shedding light on a passionate and diligent barn that has flown under the radar in Farmington since 2012.

2yo Filly Dotsy a once-in-a-lifetime horse for Finger Lakes conditioner John Grabowski

“She’s doing great and is on her way home to Finger Lakes – I am still on Cloud Nine,” Grabowski said by phone on Sunday. “My phone is absolutely blowing up and it’s unbelievable. What an incredible experience – once in a lifetime.”

In the Frizette, Dotsy was a close-up third through the first half-mile as Girls Wear Pearls marked splits of 22.98 seconds and 45.75 seconds over the fast footing. Patiently handled by Carmouche, Dotsy angled out to the five-path in the turn to loom large alongside the pacesetter and the favored Libby Lloyd before advancing to take a one-length lead at the stretch call. Her trainer stood watch near the finish line, imploring his beloved filly for more as she edged clear and gamely turned back the oncoming Rum Twist to score by 2 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:36.07.

“Kendrick looked like he had a ton of horse, and I just know her,” said Grabowski, a winner of 117 races from 620 starts. “When she made the lead, I really, truly felt that she was just playing with them. I know that sounds overconfident, but that’s what it looked it. Her ears were going forward and she was doing it easy. She seemed to really enjoy it and it was an unbelievable race for her.”

Owned by Thomas Paluck’s TSP Enterprises, Dotsy has been a standout to Grabowski – a former jockey with 3,401 wins in the saddle – since Day One. The filly made his shortlist at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, where he signed a $37,000 ticket for the 10th foal produced from the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Coqui – a half-sister to Grade 3-winner Voodoo.

While even the most astute of horsemen cannot predict the future, Grabowski said every prospect that enters his barn does so with the grandest of hopes and aspirations.

“You always dream it. Every horse you buy, you always dream it,” he said. “I went down to Ocala to visit her and watch her train when she was being broke, and she had such a fluid gait to her, and such a long stride. Jesse Hoppel broke her for us and did such a fantastic job. We breezed her against some tough company, and she did it just like she did this race this weekend – she just toyed with everything she came up against. I was very confident going to Saratoga, especially having her in that restricted race. I knew and hoped she was far superior to those horses.”

That August 26 debut at Saratoga Race Course came in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden restricted to juvenile fillies that had sold or RNA’d for $65,000 or less in their most recent auction. She entered from a series of sharp works this summer, including a bullet five-furlong move in 1:00.10 on July 27 at Finger Lakes.

With Carmouche in the irons, she stalked in fifth after a slow start, but improved willingly throughout to take command with a four-wide move and tucked in down the lane for a four-length victory going away in a final time of 1:18.15, another first for Grabowski as he celebrated his initial victory at Saratoga.

Carmouche, a veteran rider with seven Grade 1 wins and 4,235 trips to the winner’s circle, has been atop some of the finest horses in the sport, and described Dotsy as “a monster” following the Frizette score.

“Kendrick told me that after he breezed her, too,” Grabowski said. “He called her a freak. That made me feel great, because you think you have a good one, but until you get a rider’s opinion like that, especially from someone like Kendrick… he’s such a good judge of what he’s on top of.”

For her Frizette score, Dotsy earned a $30,000 entry credit to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on October 30 at Keeneland and 10 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points. She is Breeders’ Cup nominated, and the Juvenile Fillies requires both a pre-entry fee of $30,000 due on October 19 and an entry fee of the same amount on October 26.

Grabowski said having half of the related fees covered by the “Dirt Dozen” program is an enticing proposal.

“We’re definitely considering it,” Grabowski said. “We’ve got to get her home, really evaluate her and make sure we’re going forward to do this. But yes, definitely considering it. That would be another incredible experience, absolutely.”

For now, Grabowski will thoroughly enjoy the monumental accomplishment he and his team achieved yesterday to become racing’s newest Grade 1-winning stable.

“To even be around a horse like that is so incredible, let alone train her,” Grabowski said. “It’s so surreal. I’m so grateful to Mr. Paluck that he gave me a shot a few years ago. We’ve had quite a bit of success, but nothing like this. Having a horse like this, in my shedrow? Incredible.”

Source: NYRA.com

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G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic rescheduled for Thursday

September 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Godolphin’s world-traveling Grade 1-winner El Cordobes tops a strong field for the 50th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, which highlights a stacked eight-race card on Thursday, October 1 at Belmont Park that will feature a total of six graded events worth a combined $1.9 million.

Following the cancelation of live racing on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27 at Belmont Park due to a powerful nor’easter forecast to bring extremely high winds and heavy rain to Long Island, this weekend’s stakes have been rescheduled to Thursday’s loaded card.

Belmont turf stakesIn addition to the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, the card’s graded stakes include the Grade 2, $500,000 Flower Bowl [“Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf], Grade 3, $250,000 Vosburgh [“Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint], Grade 2, $250,000 Gallant Bloom, Grade 3, $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint and Grade 3, $200,000 Winter Memories. First post is 2:10 p.m. Eastern.

Leading the program is the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic [Race 7], a 1 1/2-mile Widener turf test for 3-year-olds and up that redrew its original field, topped by El Cordobes [post 1, Flavien Prat] for trainer Charlie Appleby.

The 5-year-old son of Frankel makes his first outing since landing a 4 1/4-length fifth in the Group 2 H. H. The Amir Trophy on Valentine’s Day at Doha won by Deep Monster, who exited to finish third to Romantic Warrior in the Group 1 Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup. Last year, El Cordobes won the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga Race Course with returning rider Flavien Prat in the irons, and finished third in both this event when it was contested at Belmont at the Big A and the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar.

“He goes into the race in good order and Flavien Prat rides – he’s won on him in the Sword Dancer and we’re very much looking forward to having our first runner at the new Belmont track,” Appleby said. “The horse has worked well and his preparation has gone very well going into the race. Obviously, he’s had a nice break. He’s a horse who, as we know, likes quick and flat tracks there in America.”

The lone difference from the original Joe Hirsch entries was a change of rider for multiple group stakes-winner Pride of Arras, who was originally paired with James Doyle and will now be ridden by regular pilot Rossa Ryan from post 4 for trainer Ralph Beckett.

The field is completed by multiple Grade 1-winner Far Bridge [post 2, John Velazquez] for trainer Miguel Clement; the pair of multiple Grade 1-winner Program Trading [post 6, Ricardo Santana, Jr.] and Grade 2-winner Asbury Park [post 3, Manny Franco] for five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown; Grade 2-winner Minaret Station [post 5, Jose Ortiz] for conditioner Will Walden; and Group 3-winner Fort George [post 7, Kieran Shoemark] for trainer Ed Walker.

The Grade 2 Flower Bowl [Race 8], a 10-furlong inner turf route for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, also saw its original field redrawn. The group of 11 is topped by Rachel Flynn and Rae Guest’s Sunlit Uplands, who also has a rider change from Doyle to Ryan [post 3] and looks to finish one better than her last-out second in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa presented by STIHL on August 22 at Saratoga.

Sunlit Uplands, winner of the Group 3 Stuten Meile over yielding footing on July 5 at Hamburg, has remained in New York since the Ballston Spa and breezed back three times locally, including a pair of moves over Tapeta and a five-eighths work September 19 over turf in 1:01.88.

“We’ve been very happy with her since the Ballston Spa,” trainer Stuart Williams said of the 4-year-old daughter of Sands of Mali. “She came out of the race in great form, and we shipped her down to Belmont and picked out the Flower Bowl for her to run in as her next race. We’re very pleased with how she’s been training at Belmont and we’re very much looking forward to seeing her run.”

A competitive field includes the Brown-trained pair of Grade 1-winner Kathynmarissa [post 9, Jose Ortiz] and multiple group stakes-placed Cathedral [post 10, Flavien Prat]; Grade 1-winner Fionn [post 6, Manny Franco] for dual Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox; the pair of multiple Grade/Group 1-winner Gezora [post 4, Junior Alvarado] and dual Grade 1-placed Opulent Restraint [post 7, Javier Castellano] for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott; Grade 3-winner Evershed [post 1, Dylan Davis] for conditioner Arnaud Delacour; the Brian Meehan-trained dual group-placed Esna [post 5, Jamie Spencer]; dual graded stakes-placed Silvology [post 11, Antonio Fresu] for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey; and stakes-placed Favorite Memory [post 8, Kendrick Carmouche] for trainer Cherie DeVaux. Multiple graded stakes-placed Storm Miami [post 2, John Velazquez] is cross-entered in Saturday’s All Along at Laurel Park for trainer Amelia Green.

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Breeders Cup Watch: Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Preview

September 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment

A triad of European contenders will compete amid a field of seven in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, led by Godolphin’s multiple Grade 1-winner and world-traveler El Cordobes for internationally renowned trainer Charlie Appleby.

The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic winner is eligible for a bonus from the Japan Racing Association if said winner is selected and runs in the 2026 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse.

The 1 1/2-mile Widener turf test for 3-year-olds and up will be El Cordobes’ first outing since landing a 4 1/4-length fifth in the Group 2 H. H. The Amir Trophy on Valentine’s Day at Doha won by Deep Monster, who exited to finish third to Romantic Warrior in the Group 1 Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup. El Cordobes’ effort in The Amir Trophy, which came three months after a third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar, was at about this distance over firm footing, with eight of his last nine efforts coming at 12 furlongs.

Belmont turf stakes“We sort of just worked back from a winter campaign with him,” Appleby said. “We are starting off where we are and thought he would do well for the break and he’s had a nice break for summer. He’s very much on a winter program, for sure, and hopefully will do well and go and win this and put himself in the Breeders’ Cup picture again. If he goes and runs well, we will go down a normal sort of route with him, campaigning through the winter and ultimately looking at Qatar and the Dubai City of Gold and stuff like that. That’s why he’s not been seen for the summer. Hopefully it’ll answer everyone’s questions.”

The 5-year-old Frankel gelding has been a model of consistency since stretching out in distance last year, including a breakout performance in Newmarket’s Group 2 Princess of Wales’s last July with a two-length score over Wimbledon Hawkeye. He followed that effort with his first top-level score in his first American foray, taking Saratoga Race Course’s Sword Dancer last August. There, he was third in the early stages and was relegated to sixth at the stretch call as others advanced, but he pounced at the perfect time under returning rider Flavien Prat to secure the half-length victory over Rebel Red with stablemate Nations Pride finishing another three-quarter lengths back in third.

El Cordobes went on to complete his campaign with respectable thirds in a pair of Grade 1s, including this event won by stablemate Rebel’s Romance when contested over the Aqueduct Racetrack turf, and a rallying effort in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar to land two lengths behind the victorious Ethical Diamond and three-quarter-lengths back of Rebel’s Romance.

“He goes into the race in good order and Flavien Prat rides – he’s won on him in the Sword Dancer and we’re very much looking forward to having our first runner at the new Belmont track,” Appleby said. “The horse has worked well and his preparation has gone very well going into the race. Obviously, he’s had a nice break. He’s a horse who, as we know, likes quick and flat tracks there in America.”

Prat will look to visit the winner’s circle again atop the classy bay from post 3.

Mrs. David Aykroyd’s Irish homebred Pride of Arras brings strong form to his stateside bow for conditioner Ralph Beckett, led by a trio of group scores at this distance and at 1 5/16 miles in Great Britain. He arrives from a one-length coup of the Group 3 September on September 5 around right-handed synthetic at Kempton Park, tracking just off the pace and taking over with an eighth of a mile left to run to keep on gamely through the wire. The multiple Grade 1-winner Constitution Hill finished fourth.

“He’s trained well since Kempton. It’s not been much time between, but we are happy with him,” Beckett said. “He traveled so well to Bahrain last year, which was a good trip for him, so it made sense to see what he can get done overseas.”

That trip to Bahrain yielded a 3 1/4-length fourth to Grade 1-winning multimillionaire Royal Champion in the Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy going about 10 furlongs around right-handed bends, capping a season that included a pair of left-handed Group 2 wins in the 10 1/2-furlong Dante in May at York and the 12-furlong Great Voltigeur in August there.

“He particularly likes going left-handed on a flat track, so Belmont should suit him really well,” said Beckett, a two-time Breeders’ Cup winner. “I always try to take the horses we think will travel best to America and I think that’s definitely the case with him.”

The 4-year-old New Bay gelding is out of the Oasis Dream mare Parnell’s Dream, a two-time winner for these connections and a half-sister to Kissable, dam of Grade 2 Pennine Ridge-winner Legend of Time.

Pride of Arras has been ridden by Rossa Ryan for each of his nine starts, but will emerge from post 2 on Saturday in rein to James Doyle.

The European contingent is completed by Mrs. Fitriani Hay’s Fort George [post 6, Kieran Shoemark], who makes his third start of an American endeavor that began in July with a nose second to Ole Crazy Bone in the Grade 2 Bowling Green presented by Emerald Ecovations at Saratoga.

Trained by Ed Walker, the 4-year-old Territories gelding tracked his rival throughout the 1 3/8 miles over firm footing and gave chase down the lane, inching closer under returning rider Kieran Shoemark and just missing as Ole Crazy Bone completed the course in 2:14.18.

Fort George then headed south to Kentucky Downs for the Grade 2 Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational last out on September 5, where he utilized opposite tactics than the Bowling Green with a deep closing effort from last-of-9 under Jamie Spencer against a field that included Ole Crazy Bone and fellow European contenders Tiffany and Ethical Diamond. Those two finished a respective first and second with another four lengths back to Fort George in third, while Old Crazy Bone faltered and finished eighth.

Walker said drawing the outermost post and racing wide was not ideal.

“He’s doing great and we’re very happy with him,” Walker said. “He had a great run in the Bowling Green and I thought he ran well at Kentucky Downs; bad draw, slowly away and a messy race. I think the two [Europeans] got a much better trip than he did. That was a little bit frustrating, but I’m really excited for the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and excited to be back at Belmont and see what that’s like. Sadly, though, I’m not sure I can be there, but hopefully it’ll be a good opportunity for Fort George.”

Following the Bowling Green, Fort George was entered in the Grade 1 Christophe Clement Turf on August 15 at Saratoga, but scratched due to a foot abscess.

“We were gutted to miss the Clement, but he seems to be training very well and Hannah [Smith], who takes care of him, is doing a great job,” Walker said. “And Jack [Steels], my assistant, went over to help out at Kentucky Downs was very impressed with how he’s looking and training.

“It’s all very positive, so roll on next weekend,” Walker added. “Hopefully he can run a big race and in the dream scenario he can win that and head on to the Breeders’ Cup, which would be the plan if everything went well. It hasn’t so far, so we are due a bit of luck.”

Fort George has compiled a 14-3-5-4 record with $454,501 in total earnings, aided by a win in the Group 3 Dubai Millennium in January at Meydan and subsequent runner-up effort in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold there one month later. The British-bred chestnut is out of the Teofilo mare Dusty Red, a half-sister to Grade 2 Lake Placid-winner and Group 3-producer Spotlight.

Four American contenders will provide steep opposition to the trio of shippers, including multiple Grade 1-winner Far Bridge [post 4, John Velazquez] for conditioner Miguel Clement and Grade 1-placed Minaret Station [post 1, Jose Ortiz] for trainer Will Walden.

LSU Stables’ Far Bridge seeks his second win in this event after taking the 2024 edition at Belmont at the Big A for late Hall of Fame trainer Christophe Clement. Now in the care of Clement’s son Miguel, the 6-year-old English Channel bay has hit the board in 3-of-5 starts for his current conditioner, and returns from a six-month respite dating to a gritty repeat win by a neck in the 12-furlong Grade 3 Pan American in March at Gulfstream Park.

Far Bridge has been a model of top-level consistency, beginning in 2023 with his first stakes win in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby going 10 furlongs over the Belmont green. As a 4-year-old, he earned wins in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga ahead of the Joe Hirsch that was contested at Aqueduct. Last year, he scored wins in the Pan American and Belmont at the Big A’s Grade 2 Man o’ War to kick off a 6-3-0-1 campaign that included a third in the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan and a win in the Grade 2 Bowling Green at the Spa.

Far Bridge returned to the work tab in early August over the local main track, where he has posted six timed efforts since. On Saturday, he got a feel for the turf course, covering a half-mile in 52 seconds flat in company with Willpowered.

“I thought he worked well and the question mark is, is he 100 percent ready to run his ‘A’ race? I’m not entirely sure, but the horse is training very well and he’s giving us every indication he’s back to his best,” Clement said. “Coming off a long layoff at that level, to run in such a prestigious race is always a tall task, but nevertheless, he’s top class, and usually good horses overcome little variables.

“Even if we get beat, sometimes getting the race back into him is probably what’s best for him and we might have to accept it… sometimes you have to lose the battle in order to win the war, and this might be one of those cases,” he added.

Far Bridge has compiled a 21-10-3-3 record, with earnings of more than $2.5 million.

Minaret Station a Player in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

OXO Equine’s Kentucky homebred Minaret Station looks to make amends for a three-quarter-length defeat to the mare Survie in the Christophe Clement Turf last out. The 4-year-old Instilled Regard colt is normally a rallying type, but pressed the pace under returning rider Jose Ortiz and took a head lead at the stretch call. He ran on determinedly but was caught late and earned a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

The lightly-raced bay has hit the board in 7-of-8 efforts, led by a Grade 2 win as a juvenile in Keeneland’s 1 1/16-mile Bourbon. Last year, he won the lone start of his campaign in the Listed American Derby in June at Churchill Downs, and returned there 10 months later to finish a one-length fourth in the Listed Opening Verse. He was beaten less than one length in each of his last three starts, finishing second in the Grade 3 Arlington in Louisville and third in the Bowling Green a half-length back of Ole Crazy Bone and Fort George before his Clement effort.

Minaret Station is out of the multiple graded stakes-winning Sir Prancealot mare Beau Recall.

Completing the field are the pair of three-time Grade 1-winner Program Trading [post 7, Ricardo Santana, Jr.] and Grade 2-winner Asbury Park [post 5, Manny Franco] for five-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Chad Brown, a three-time Joe Hirsch-winner with Big Blule Kitten [2015], Beach Patrol [2017] and Rockemperor [2021].

Klaravich Stables’ Program Trading, a topflight winner of the Saratoga Derby Invitational and Hollywood Derby as a sophomore, added Churchill’s Grade 1 Turf Classic to his resume in May 2024 and made one more start before a 14-month layoff. He returned last August and was winless in his first seven starts back, but was nearly a Grade 1 winner again when a three-quarter-length second to Rhetorical in the Coolmore Turf Mile last October at Keeneland. He returned to winning ways this summer with back-to-back scores at Monmouth Park in the Listed Monmouth and Grade 2 United Nations en route to a last-out third in the Clement.

Peter Brant and St. Elias Stable’s Asbury Park has made two starts this year, finishing a distant last-of-9 in the Turf Classic in May at Churchill off a seven-month respite, and improving to land a half-length second to Rothschild in a 1 3/8-mile optional claimer on August 22 at the Spa. He earned his first stakes win in October with a two-length score from off-the-pace in the Grade 2 Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont at the Big A, and will make his first start at 12 furlongs.

When is the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic?

The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic is slated as Race 10 on Saturday’s 11-race card, which features three additional graded events, including a pair of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifiers in the Grade 2, $500,000 Flower Bowl [Filly and Mare Turf] in Race 11 and the Grade 3, $250,000 Vosburgh [Sprint] in Race 9. The program is supported by the Grade 2, $250,000 Gallant Bloom in Race 4. First post is 12:05 p.m. Eastern.

America’s Day at the Races presents daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule/.

source: NYRA

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Sha Tin Selections for Sunday, September 13, 2026

September 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Luke Middlebrook’s tips from Idol Horse below for Shatin on Sunday, Sep 13, 2026.

Sha Tin Selections for Sunday, September 13, 2026 (late Sat. night in the USA)

Race 1: #10 Rattan Galaxy, #11 Superb Guy, #3 Sea Diamond, #12 Supreme Winner
Race 2: #2 Looking Bright, #8 Ruby Thrive, #3 Charming Babe, #10 E Ho Ho
Race 3: #8 He Was Me, #10 Fortune Kingo, #4 Made For Life, #5 Verbier
Race 4: #11 Mighty Fighter, #12 Enjoy Golf, #3 Bright Mortar, #7 Lucky Doctor
Race 5: #11 Better And Better, #10 Spirited Steed, #2 Kempes, #9 Road To Glory
Race 6: #8 Good Good, #9 Gorgeous Victory, #1 Victor Supreme, #7 Beauty Missile
Race 7: #5 Storm Mirror, #3 Ace, #2 Mega Mastermind, #13 Top To Sky
Race 8: #1 Solid State, #4 Straight To Glory, #13 Lucky Candy, #2 Fast Responder
Race 9: #1 Chill Buddy, #5 Lucy In The Sky, #8 Thunder Kit, #11 Gulu Gogo
Race 10: #12 Nyx Gluck, #14 Flying Knight, #6 Run Run Smart, #1 Sovereign Fund

Race 1 – HONG TUNG HANDICAP
#10 Rattan Galaxy put the writing on the wall last start, beaten narrowly into second after leading at a good clip from barrier 14 and setting the race up for those behind. Barrier 2 is the best draw he has seen in some time and gives him the chance to break through. #11 Superb Guy resumes a further four points lower in the ratings and the first-time Purton booking is meaningful. #3 Sea Diamond is the class-dropper to note at just his second start for Danny Shum, has trialled well for his return and maps on pace with every chance. #12 Supreme Winner has been progressing well in his work, and Jerry Chau taking the ride adds confidence that he is ready to run well fresh.

Race 2 – HING WAH HANDICAP
#2 Looking Bright is still chasing his first local win, but he has gone close more than once, including a narrow second over 1,200m at Happy Valley last time. The return to the straight course suits, and he trialled well alongside Wednesday’s winner Robot Lucky Star, while the lack of obvious speed on paper should play to his profile. #8 Ruby Thrive backs up quickly after finishing second to Lightness Of Music here last week, and Purton taking over is the key change. #3 Charming Babe always warrants respect in this grade, having won two from eight, while two quiet lead-in trials have him primed. #10 E Ho Ho is well down in the ratings now and resumes off a handy trial. Barrier 13 is ideal down the straight and gives him the chance to improve.

The Impact of the Hong Kong International RacesRace 3 – HONG TUNG HANDICAP
#8 He Was Me finished last season in fine form, winning twice from his final five starts, and his trial suggests he has returned ready to pick up where he left off. #10 Fortune Kingo makes his first start for Douglas Whyte after 12 runs for Jimmy Ting and will appreciate finally drawing low. Jerry Chau partnered him in a good-looking recent trial and stays with him on race day, which adds to the appeal. #4 Made For Life is only at his second start in Class 5 and his first look in the grade produced a close-up fourth. Purton taking over is the positive. #5 Verbier backs up quickly and can improve if he gets a cleaner trip without having to do too much early work.

Race 4 – LOK WAH HANDICAP
#11 Mighty Fighter raced only four times last season but showed ability, was never beaten far and signed off with a luckless eighth. His return trial was impressive and, while barrier 11 is no gift, he is likely to be an attractive price and looks the type who can progress this season. #12 Enjoy Golf should jump, lead from barrier 2 and does not appear to face much pressure, giving Britney Wong the chance to take them a long way. #3 Bright Mortar has done his best work on the all-weather, but he is still only a five-start horse who was improving with racing, so the return to turf is not a major concern. #7 Lucky Doctor maps for a good run from barrier 3, has had the right preparation for his return and his trials have been encouraging.

Race 5 – LOK WAH HANDICAP
#11 Better And Better has been costly given how often he has started favourite, seven times for only one win and a third, but his form did lift once the hood and pacifiers went on. His return trial was likeable and he has the ability for this, although barrier 10 leaves him needing early luck. #10 Spirited Steed signed off last season with his best run yet, finishing second, and Purton taking over is the clear positive. His return trial was good enough to suggest he can pick up from there. #2 Kempes won first-up in Class 3 last season before failing to go on with it, but he has shown he can perform fresh. Class 4 for the first time and barrier 3 give him the right set-up. #9 Road To Glory is interesting given he was unwanted on debut but ran an encouraging second.

Race 6 – THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)
#8 Good Good is the map horse, poised to lead softly and give them something to catch. #9 Gorgeous Victory keeps Purton in the saddle after the champion jockey partnered him in a couple of runs late last season that had him close to a win. That reads well, and he looks ready to make his mark in the early season. #1 Victor Supreme broke through impressively last start by more than four lengths and does not look done in the ratings yet. The drop back in trip is the query after that win came over 1,800m, but barrier 4 should allow him to map well again. #7 Beauty Missile has taken a clear step forward since joining Brett Crawford, despite having plenty of racing behind him, and two wins late last season give him the platform to measure up again back in class.

Race 7 – MEI TUNG HANDICAP
#5 Storm Mirror has only raced three times but has threatened to win in each of them. The break appears to have brought him on, with two impressive return trials under Purton suggesting he is ready to fire fresh. #3 Ace should get the soft trail just off the speed from barrier 1. His form lifted after switching to Mark Newnham last season, winning two of five for the stable, and he looks to have more in store. #2 Mega Mastermind is the likely leader and has had two trials for his return, the latest a strong piece of work. He can take catching. #13 Top To Sky won back-to-back races at the end of last season after the blinkers went on. He rises from the top of Class 5 into Class 4, but the light weight helps and barrier 3 should have him right there with Mega Mastermind.

Race 8 – WAH FU HANDICAP
#1 Solid State won on debut like a horse going places, although there is always the next-start question of whether he can do it again. Frankie Lor drops him back from 1,200m to 1,000m given he can race keenly, and the tempo will suit. Barrier 14 down the straight looks the perfect draw. #4 Straight To Glory draws alongside in barrier 13 and has proven himself a genuine straight-track horse, with two late-season wins over this course and distance. #13 Lucky Candy comes off five straight placings, including a second to Straight To Glory last start, and can be right there again. #2 Fast Responder is aided by Nichola Yuen’s 10-pound claim after the pair built a good association late last season, combining for a win and a third from three rides.

Race 9 – OI TUNG HANDICAP
#1 Chill Buddy can pick up where he left off after signing off last season with his second Hong Kong win. Barrier 1 suits a horse with good early speed, although he does not have to lead with other pace engaged. #5 Lucy In The Sky attracted solid market support last week, led and only faded late into fourth. Similar tactics look suitable here, especially with Nichola Yuen now taking over and claiming 10 pounds. #8 Thunder Kit will be doing the chasing from barrier 4, looking to build into the race and launch late. His third to Mr Incredible two starts ago reads well for this. #11 Gulu Gogo was sixth on debut last season behind Solid State and has been a notable improver at the trials for his return.

Race 10 – YIU TUNG HANDICAP
#12 Nyx Gluck went bang at his first start for Danny Shum last season, winning impressively and drawing clear with authority. He rises into Class 3 for the first time and meets stronger opposition, but the set-up improves from barrier 1 after he jumped from gate 12 last time. Purton stays aboard, and his trial points to him returning in fine form. #14 Flying Knight really came to hand late last season and his fifth back in Class 3 had merit after a poor trip. Barrier 2 will give him a much cleaner run today and he can bounce back. #6 Run Run Smart will take control from the front, as he likes to do, and his finishing comes down to how cheaply Nichola Yuen can get away with it. On paper, he looks likely to get control. #1 Sovereign Fund is thriving for Brett Crawford and, although the top of Class 3 makes things trickier at the weights, barrier 3 and a nice return trial set him up well.

Source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: , ,

When Can I Get Tickets to the New Belmont Park?

September 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that tickets and hospitality offerings for the first Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at the new Belmont Park will go on sale beginning Saturday, September 19, at noon via BelmontStakes.com/tickets.

After a three-year period when the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival was temporarily moved to Saratoga Race Course, 2027 will mark the highly anticipated return of the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets to its newly reimagined Long Island home.

Highlighted by the 159th running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 5, the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be held Thursday June 3, through Saturday, June 5, at Belmont Park.

A presale will take place on Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. exclusively via Ticketmaster.

Fans may select from the following ticket options, subject to availability:

  • Backyard General Admission – General admission access to Belmont Park’s expansive Backyard, offering a relaxed setting with convenient access to food, beverage and race-day amenities.
  • Infield General Admission – General admission access to the newly accessible Belmont Park Infield, providing a unique perspective of the racing action.
  • Grandstand Reserved Seating – Reserved seating in the Belmont Park Grandstand offering excellent views of the homestretch.
  • Infield Grandstand Seating – Elevated reserved seating in the Infield Grandstand providing a unique perspective of the racing action from the newly accessible Belmont Park infield.
  • West Paddock Reserved – Tiered drink rail viewing of the Paddock, providing an up-close view of the expansive paddock. The West Paddock Reserved ticket also provides access to the Homestretch Market and trackside apron.
  • Big Red’s – A lively track-level hospitality experience combining prime views of the racing action with convenient access to food and beverage.
  • The Stretch View – An elevated hospitality experience on the second-floor overlooking the homestretch, offering an expansive patio area with outstanding views as the horses race toward the finish.
  • Triple Crown Dining and Boxes – Premium reserved dining and box seating in this third-floor tiered restaurant, with floor to ceiling windows, providing exceptional panoramic views of the track.

Belmont Park horse racing Races on Belmont Stakes WeekendFan can explore 360-degree views of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival seating options through NYRA’s newly introduced Belmont Park Virtual Venue, which is currently available at NewBelmont.com.

Backyard general admission tickets for Belmont Stakes Day will be available for $75. Infield general admission tickets for Belmont Stakes Day will be available for $50. Backyard general admission is free for children 12 and under on Thursday, June 3 and Friday, June 4.

Families can take advantage of the Family Four-Pack in the Belmont Park Kids Zone, which includes admission for two adults and two children. Available each day of the festival, packages will be priced at $100 June 3-4, and $200 on Belmont Stakes Day, June 5.

When Will the New Belmont Park Open?

The new Belmont Park will open for live racing on Friday, September 18, following a multi-year redevelopment project to create a world-class racing and entertainment destination. Centered around a modern grandstand featuring an array of fan amenities and hospitality offerings, the venue features a dramatically expanded paddock area and modernized racing infrastructure including four newly constructed racing surfaces.

Belmont Experiences, NYRA’s premium hospitality partner, will once again offer ticket packages for the 2027 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival providing an elevated race day experience. For additional information, or to make a deposit today, visit BelmontExperiences.com.

For additional information, visit BelmontStakes.com/2027.

source: NYRA

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Life Changing a Top Contender in the G1 Spinaway

September 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Life Changing, an impressive debut winner locally August 1, will carry high expectations into the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway on Saturday, at Saratoga Race Course.

The Spinaway is a seven-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies and offers a “Win and You’re In” berth into the 1 1/16-mile Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, which will be contested October 30 at Keeneland.

Life Changing, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher for Repole Stable, was backed as the 2-1 favorite for her unveiling and validated bettors’ confidence with a seven-length triumph under jockey Luis Saez to give Pletcher one of five victories that day at the Spa.

“She just popped the gate and did everything professionally,” said owner Mike Repole. “Down the lane, she did everything. She galloped out great. Luis said she had a ton left in the tank. We think she’s really, really special. When you are a 2-year-old in Saratoga and you win your maiden, then you are going against 10 horses who have done the same thing. It’s a step up, but her time was great, Beyer number [84] was great. Todd really loves her, and I think she is going to be a special, special filly.”

Saratoga canopy walk throughLife Changing is by Life Is Good and is out of the stakes-placed dam Smart Shopping, making her a half-sister to 2024 Grade 1 Preakness winner Seize the Grey. She was purchased as a yearling by Repole Stable for $1.025 million at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale.

“We loved her, we loved her sire. I’m a big fan of Life Is Good – [I’m a] shareholder. And we loved the family, [with her being] a half-sister to Seize the Grey,” Repole said. “We didn’t think she would go to $1 million. We thought she would go for $700,000, $800,000. She always trained well on the farm, trained well at Belmont when she was with Stu [Hampson], came up here [to Saratoga] and trained well, and she ran to how she trains.”

Flavien Prat has picked up the mount aboard Life Changing, who drew the outermost post 8. Pletcher is seeking his second consecutive Spinaway victory and record-extending eighth overall, having previously won the race with Circle of Life [1999], Ashado [2003], Adieu [2005], R Heat Lightning [2010], Rachel’s Valentina [2015], Sweet Loretta [2016, dead heat with Pretty City Dancer], and Tommy Jo [2025].

Other Contenders in G1 Spinaway

The Spinaway field includes three additional fillies who are entering the race off a debut victory: Angel of Kirk, Summer Starlet, and Girvy Girl.

In her lone previous outing, Greenwell Thoroughbreds’ Angel of Kirk contested the pace from the outside, took the lead on the far turn, and needed only hand urging to report home a 4 3/4-length winner under Prat for dual Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race July 11 at the Spa.

“Her debut was really good,” said Cox. “I do think she’s improved since and she’s had plenty of time to improve. Her work [Saturday] was really good [five furlongs in 1:02.23] and I thought she had a nice gallop-out, breezed with an older maiden.

“I think she’s on it,” added Cox. “She’s always been good, from the time we started breezing her. She was one that we kind of thought would be a Saratoga type of filly as soon as we started training on her. Most of the time, that doesn’t work out, but in her case it did – she kept stepping up every week and working well.”

Angel of Kirk, a $500,000 Keeneland September yearling, is by Yaupon and out of Crazy Sweet, who was third in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters. Her third dam, Buckaroo Zoo, was a stakes winner who placed in a pair of graded stakes before producing Boltono, the dam of Grade 1 Vosburgh Invitational winner The Lumber Guy.

With Prat electing to ride Life Changing, Angel of Kirk will now have the services of Manny Franco from post 7.

Summer Starlet [post 2, Ricardo Santana] was professional in her debut, racing in seventh early before making an outside charge to claim the lead at the three-sixteenths pole and drive clear to a 6 1/2-length win traveling 6 1/2-furlongs on August 8 here.

Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen trains Summer Starlet, who is owned by BC Stables, Wattswood Stables, Bob Albritton, Jay Graham and David Baggett. She sold for $335,000 at Keeneland last September and is a half-sister to Grade 2-placed Coach Prime. Her distant family includes Minardi, Tale of the Cat, Fed Biz, and Red Carpet Ready.

James F. Schurman, Paul Braverman, Mark Corrado, and Albert Ciuffetelli’s Girvy Girl [post 5, Micah Husbands] blew out a maiden field by 15 lengths on July 18 at Gulfstream Park before being shipped to Saratoga by trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. She has breezed four times over the Saratoga main track, including a four-furlong move in 47.66 seconds on Sunday.

The first-out winners will be taking on Stress Relief and Harper’s Corner, who respectively captured the Grade 3 Adirondack and Listed Schuylerville earlier in the Saratoga meet.

Stress Relief [post 4, Junior Alvarado], a Joel Politi homebred, debuted in June at Churchill Downs, dueling for the lead before running away to a five-length victory in the five-furlong maiden event.

The dark bay daughter of Not This Time subsequently joined Kinnon LaRose’s string at Saratoga with an eye on the 6 1/2-furlong Grade 3 Adirondack on August 2. In that race, she stalked the pace in fourth, moved into contention approaching the quarter pole while racing three wide, and claimed the lead from Luminous Beauty with one furlong to travel under jockey Junior Alvarado’s left-handed urging en route to a 3 1/2-length triumph.

The Adirondack was the first graded stakes win for LaRose, a native of Ogdensburg, N.Y. who played basketball at Siena University and Sacred Heart University before going on to a career in racing. LaRose worked for Tom Amoss before taking over as lead trainer upon Amoss’ retirement from training this spring.

“She ran a great race in the Adirondack,” said LaRose. “It was the first time Junior rode her in a race, and he rode her perfect. She came out of the race well and we have gotten [three] works back in her. She’s a very straightforward, classy filly. She came out of the race well, has been eating well, so, knock on wood, everything is going well to this point.

“Hopefully, she handles [the Grade 1 competition well],” LaRose added. “You come up to Saratoga and run in a Grade 1, it’s a great opportunity for us. She is going to have to step up. There are some good fillies in there, and I think she is competitive enough to compete in there. That’s the beauty of coming to Saratoga: you run against the best horses in the country, and we’re honored to be in there.”

Like Stress Relief, Harper’s Corner [post 6, Paco Lopez] was a debut winner who captured a Saratoga stakes race in her second start. Trained by Cathal Lynch for Charles L. Biggs, Harper’s Corner buckled at the start but recovered to clear on the lead and never looked back, winning a five-furlong maiden race by 7 3/4 lengths in June at Laurel Park.

Shipped north from the Fair Hill Training Center for the six-furlong Schuylerville on July 3, Harper’s Corner once again dictated terms up front before drawing away, this time to a 5 1/4-length score. Voyager, second in the Schuylerville, returned to win a Saratoga maiden special weight by a nose August 1 and is point to the Grade 1 Natalma at Woodbine.

Cha Cha Baby [post 3, Mychel Sanchez] will make her third start overall and first for trainer Butch Reid, Jr. and owner LC Racing in the Spinaway.

While racing for Gary Capuano and D. Denise Hazard, she made two starts at Delaware Park, finishing second to then-stablemate Whitten Way in June before posting a nine-length graduation on July 21. Whitten Way returned to win Delaware Park’s Blue Hen on August 8.

Completing the Spinaway field is Bandmaster [post 1, Jose Lezcano], fourth in the Adirondack for trainer Oscar Barrera, III.

The Spinaway was carded as Race 11 on Saturday’s 12-race program, which also includes the Grade 3, $225,000 With Anticipation for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the turf in Race 2. First post is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. Eastern

Saratoga Live presents daily coverage and analysis of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit NYRA.com/TV.

Source: Jon Forbes for NYRA.com

Filed Under: Breeders Cup, Horse Racing News Tagged With: , , ,

Leading Charge Upsets 2026 Travers Stakes

August 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment

The winners of this year’s Triple Crown events featured in a stellar field of top 3-year-olds assembled for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers at Saratoga Race Course, but it was Wathnan Racing’s lightly-raced Leading Change who announced his presence in the division with a statement score over Grade 1 Preakness-winner Napoleon Solo in the prestigious 10-furlong route for sophomores. Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets-winner Golden Tempo rallied stoutly to finish third.

Trained by dual Eclipse Award-winner Brad Cox, the blossoming Leading Change has made a rapid ascent to the upper echelon of his generation, maintaining a flawless ledger through three starts with his half-length victory.

The son of Gun Runner made his career bow just 12 weeks ago with an open-lengths graduation in June at Churchill Downs, and entered the Travers from a neck victory in the Grade 3 Indiana Derby on July 11 at Horseshoe Indianapolis where he faced winners and tried two turns for the first time. His prior starts were awarded respective Beyer Speed Figures of 92 and 95, the latter matching the figure returning rival Golden Tempo earned when winning the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby in May.

“We’ve always thought he was a big-time talent,” said Cox, who celebrated his second Travers victory following Essential Quality’s win in 2021. “He showed it before today in his first two starts and he was able to get it done today. I said coming into it that he’s light on seasoning, but we were hoping he could make up for it with talent, and he was able to do it.”

Wathnan Racing also campaigns the Cox-trained Grade 1-winner Commandment, who skipped this race in favor of the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on September 19, but Cox said that decision did not influence their choice to enter Leading Change here.

“Honestly, no. He ran two big numbers to start his career, and we liked the idea of giving him time after the Indiana Derby,” Cox said. “The timing made a lot of sense with the Travers. I think this is a solid group of 3-year-olds but there was no one to really be scared of based on the two figures that he’d run. He was obviously able to come out on the right end of it.”

In the Travers, Leading Change faced a stacked group of nine well-seasoned rivals, but ran like a consummate professional in the victory engineered by the red-hot Manny Franco, who celebrated with ecstatic jubilation as he crossed the wire and earned his second Travers victory, an exclamation point on a career summer at the Spa where he currently ranks third in the jockeys’ standings. He enjoyed additional top-flight scores this meet with My Gun’s Loaded in the Alabama presented by Keeneland Sales and with Survie in the Grade 1 Christophe Clement Turf.

“All I can say is, ‘wow,’” an emotional Franco said moments after the race. “I just want to say thanks to Brad Cox, the owners, my agent John Panagot. This is amazing. And the horse, he deserved this. I had the trip that I wanted. I wanted to wait behind those two horses and by the three-eighths pole, he jumped on the bridle and I said, ‘oh boy, OK.’ It was a matter of getting to the outside and when he hit the outside, he leveled off and he was game.”

Leading Change, a son of Gun Runner, was fleet-footed from post 2 and had enough natural speed to clear the field, but Napoleon Solo, who broke to his immediate outside, was asked for his signature speed while drifting out under Hall of Famer John Velazquez to assume command through the opening quarter-mile in 23.66 seconds over the fast footing.

Franco was patient aboard Leading Change, maintaining their inside position to keep close watch in second while the wide-running Sea Strike followed the run of Napoleon Solo through the first turn to range up into a shared second, with Emerging Market and Baby Vino another length behind them. The remainder of the field was strung out down the backstretch, as Golden Tempo was well behind in ninth with only Grade 1-winner Renegade, who lunged at the start, beaten through the half-mile in 47.95.

A group of six rivals began to bunch up at the front, all awaiting the right moment to strike as Napoleon Solo ticked along through three-quarters in 1:12.62. Sea Strike was the first to take aim at the pacesetter, and ranged up wide midway through the turn as Franco began to test the waters with his willing partner. Sea Strike loomed large straightening for home after one mile in 1:37.03, but Napoleon Solo was far from done and dug in for the fight while Franco angled Leading Change around the top pair with a strong hand ride before going to a right-handed stick.

Golden Tempo’s Travers

The favored Golden Tempo made his signature move from deep to make headway down on the rail and was within striking range at the eighth pole, while Napoleon Solo put away Sea Strike and was again a clear leader. Golden Tempo idled briefly as he ran up the inside of Sea Strike and was steadily making up ground late, but Franco implored Leading Change for more inside the final sixteenth and his charge responded, willing himself in front in the shadow of the wire to edge the stubborn Napoleon Solo in a final time of 2:02.98.

Golden Tempo landed a hard-trying third 1 3/4 lengths back of the top pair while one length better than the rallying The Puma. Emerging Market, Sea Strike, Baby Vino, Renegade, Ocelli and Silent Tactic completed the order of finish.

Franco, the leading rider on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit in 2018-19, 2023 and 2025, said the trip he worked out was exactly what he had hoped for.

“We wanted to be forward, behind Napoleon Solo and Sea Strike, I just sit on the rail the whole way around,” Franco explained. “Going to the five-sixteenths, my horse was going forward, and I felt that I got horse under me. We turned for home, I put him on the outside and he just leveled out. He was digging in. I was happy with the way he finished up.

“This is incredible what he accomplished today,” added Franco, whose first Travers win came in 2020 with Tiz the Law. “It’s just his third race today. The sky is the limit for him.”

Case Clay, racing manager for Wathnan Racing, said what Leading Change lacked in experience, he made up for with raw talent.

“He had to win on talent over seasoning. He’s not as seasoned a horse as the other horses. If he was going to win today, it was going to be on talent,” Clay said. “Yes, physically he is a stretchy, two-turn, big, good looking horse that looks like he could have gotten 10 furlongs, so, the day after the Belmont, he won the seven-furlong race at Churchill Downs, then Brad thought, ‘let’s go Indiana Derby, first time around two turns, see if that works, and then 10 furlongs,’ so he won on talent over seasoning today.”

Cox added there are no immediate plans for Leading Change.

“We’ll check him tonight and make sure he’s in good order after the race,” he said. “We’ll ship him back to Kentucky and go from there.”

Leading Change, a half-brother to the Cox-trained Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks-winner Shedaresthedevil, was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm and was purchased for $800,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He earned $687,500 for his Travers triumph while returning $22.76 on a $2 win wager at 10-1 odds.

The Chad Summers-trained Napoleon Solo made his third straight appearance in Grade 1 company, and entered from a half-length second to Baby Vino in the NYRA Bets Haskell on July 18 at Monmouth Park. Summers commended the effort from the dual Grade 1-winner, and said there is plenty to be excited about in the future with the son of Liam’s Map as he ponders what his best distance may be.

“He showed me about a mile and a quarter, minus 50 yards,” Summers said, adding he will consider Napoleon Solo for both the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Dirt Mile. “Look, he tries. He always tries. Is it something that we’re opposed to doing in the right circumstances? No. Keeneland, with the shorter stretch, a little bit of a different circumstance. You got to keep that in mind. Obviously, the long stretch in Saudi [Arabia], the long stretch in Dubai, but he’ll be a 4-year-old at that point. Right now we’ll just look ahead to the next start, but [we’re] proud of the effort he gave today.”

Velazquez, aboard Napoleon Solo for the first time in the afternoon, also questioned the gray’s affinity for longer distances, while satisfied with the gritty performance today.

“He ran great. He put in a really good effort today. Maybe the mile and a quarter is a little far for him, maybe, I don’t know,” Velazquez said. “He ran a really good race. He was a little more aggressive than I wanted him to be. I put him all the way to the five path in the first part of the race. By the time he got to the backstretch, he came back to me. After that, [Sea Strike] got to him at the five-eighths pole, and he got in the bridle again. So, I just kind of sat against him, wait, wait, wait. When I asked him, he did run. Somebody else ran better than me. He put up a good fight. The other one was better than me. That’s it.”

Cherie DeVaux, trainer of the popular Golden Tempo, said her star pupil was hindered by a lack of pace while still proving his talents to run a valiant third.

“He was far back. It just didn’t work out with the lack of pace,” DeVaux said. “He had too much to do. He came back fine and that’s what is important.”

The colt’s regular pilot, Jose Ortiz, offered similar sentiments.

“He broke good. I was far back obviously, and he started making a good run,” Ortiz said. “I saw a good opening on the inside and I went for it. He responded very well. He put up a very good run and we fell short. That’s the main thing.”

Tyler Gaffalione, aboard the mutuel second choice Renegade in place of the injured Irad Ortiz, Jr., said being pinched back at the start likely did not hinder the colt’s effort for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

“Got a good bump out of the gate. I don’t think it took much out of him,” Gaffalione said. “Had a good position, where he likes to be, just had a hard time making up ground today.”

Live racing resumes Sunday at Saratoga with a 10-race card featuring the $200,000 Yaddo in Race 9. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.

Saratoga Live presents daily coverage and analysis of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.

source: Mary Eddy for NYRA.com

Filed Under: Breeders Cup, Horse Racing News Tagged With:

Travers Stakes Weekend Highlights at Saratoga

August 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Friday, August 28th

Admission Gates and Post Time:

Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with first post at 1:10 p.m.

Waya and West Point:

Friday features the Grade 3, $225,000 Waya, an 11-furlong inner turf test for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. The card also includes the $200,000 West Point, presented by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, for New York-breds 3-years-old and up.

BEST Dunk Tank:

Saratoga Race Course will host a dunk tank event to benefit the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST). Fans will have the opportunity to dunk various racing personalities from 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. adjacent to the Dunkin’ concession stand. All proceeds from the event will benefit BEST. Each participating fan will receive a $5 Dunkin’ card, while supplies last (may not be used on track).

Tattoos at the Track:

Two artists from the Saratoga Tattoo Company will be on-site at the Jockey Silks Porch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each tattoo is $100 and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saratoga Race Course To Open As Scheduled, Saratoga Springs Still Prepares For The WorstNational Red Wine Day:

Fans can celebrate National Red Wine Day with 2-for-1 glasses of red wine at bars on track where wine is served. In addition, complimentary samples of red and other varietals will be available at the Josh Cellars Wine Bar from noon to 4 p.m., while supplies last, for fans 21 and older.

Bulleit Woody:

Complimentary samples of Bulleit bourbon, served out of the Bulleit Woody, will be available at the Backyard Bulleit Gazebo from noon to 4 p.m., while supplies last, for fans 21 and older.

Horse Sense:

A special Friday edition of Horse Sense will feature a retired thoroughbred from The Great Strides Equestrian Foundation which offers a safe and nurturing environment where teens can embark on a transformative journey supported by horses. The attraction is located inside Gate A.

Community Outreach Booth:

Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (THS) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization supporting second careers for retired racehorses in leading safe and meaningful lives.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

DRAFTKINGS TRAVERS DAY

Admission Gates, Parking and Post Time:

Admission gates open at 9 a.m. when fans may claim the free picnic tables in the backyard. All parking areas open at 8 a.m. Aside from parking, the grounds will not be accessible prior to 9 a.m. First post is 11:05 a.m.

General admission is $25 in advance or $30 on the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased at the Saratoga Box Office (Gate A), by phone at (844) 697-2849 or at NYRA.com/Travers (Ticketmaster service fees apply to online purchases).

Breakfast at Saratoga, backstretch tram tours, and thoroughbred farm tours are not offered. Breakfast offerings will be available at Finish Line Grill through 11 a.m.

DraftKings Travers Day:

As the centerpiece of the summer meet, the DraftKings Travers Day card will feature five Grade 1 events among six stakes in total. In addition to the 157th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers for the nation’s top sophomores, the program will include the Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign, the Grade 1, $500,000 Forego, the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, the Grade 1, $500,000 Resorts World Casino Ballerina, and the Grade 2, $400,000 Lake Placid. The Personal Ensign [Distaff], Forego [Dirt Mile] and Resorts World Casino Ballerina [Filly and Mare Sprint] provide “Win and You’re In” berths to the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be held Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland.

FOX Saratoga Saturday presented by Oceania Cruises:

The DraftKings Travers will be presented live on FOX as part of a two-hour edition of FOX Saratoga Saturday presented by Oceania Cruises from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Prior to FOX Saratoga Saturday, television coverage will air on the FOX Sports family of networks from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Complimentary Photo Magnets:

Fans can enjoy complimentary souvenir photo magnets, courtesy of On The Spot Photos, at the Jockey Silks Porch from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tattoos at the Track:

Two artists from the Saratoga Tattoo Company will be on-site at the Jockey Silks Porch on DraftKings Travers Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each tattoo is $100 and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bulleit Woody:

The Bulleit Woody will return adjacent to the Backyard Bulleit Gazebo with complimentary samples of Bulleit bourbon from noon to 4 p.m., while supplies last, for fans 21 and older.

Horse Sense:

Fans can meet a retired thoroughbred on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at Horse Sense located inside Gate A.

Community Outreach Booth:

The Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T) is devoted to providing health and wellness services to the backstretch community.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

Admission Gates and Post Time:

Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with first post at 1:10 p.m.

Yaddo:

Sunday features the $200,000 Yaddo on the turf for New York-Bred fillies and mares.

Saratoga Summer Pin Giveaway: Photo

DraftKings Travers Weekend will conclude with a premium giveaway featuring a Saratoga-themed pin to commemorate the racing season, free with paid admission, while supplies last.

Sunday Specials:

Fans will enjoy $3 hot dogs and save 50% on domestic and premium beer, water and soda at the High Noon Clubhouse Grill, Finish Line Grill and Track Snacks. Additional specials may be available on select items at these locations.

Introduction to Handicapping:

Offered every Sunday in the Paddock Suite, fans can learn betting strategies and tips from an expert handicapper. Tickets start at $95 and include admission, Post Parade program, and a table seat within the climate-controlled, shared suite overlooking the saddling area. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here.

Saratoga Low Roller Contest:

Held exclusively on-track every Sunday during the summer meet, fans can pre-register outside the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar. There is a $40 buy-in, of which $30 will go to the player’s bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. The winner will receive a Saratoga Low Roller championship T-shirt in addition to the cash prize.

Community Outreach Booth:

The Saratoga County Children’s Committee is dedicated to assisting the children of Saratoga County by partnering with local agencies to provide necessities.

All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of NYRA.

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With:

Professor Marshall Gramm and the Issues with HISA

August 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Horseplayers Steve Simonovic, Anthony DeCaspers and Rich Nilsen (from AGameofSkill.com) discuss the recent scandals, noteable the situation with well known industry insider Professor Marshall Gramm as well as the issues with HISA.

 

Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With:
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