Mon, 05/01/2023 - 12:55

Kentucky Derby: Good Magic and his sire, Curlin, each have two runners

Debra A. Roma

Mage (above) is a member of Good Magic’s first crop, as is fellow Derby entrant Reincarnate.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Champion Good Magic, who came up just shy in his appearance in the Kentucky Derby, is making a magical Derby debut as a sire.

Good Magic, who stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Paris, Ky., has a pair of runners in the Derby from his first crop in Florida Derby runner-up Mage and graded stakes winner Reincarnate.

Good Magic stands alongside his sire, Curlin, a prominent classic sire who will himself have two runners in Lord Miles and Skinner. Curlin’s son Keen Ice sired last year’s upset Derby winner, Rich Strike.

Sun, 04/30/2023 - 21:16

Commissioner Dan, at $500K, leads Keeneland April all-ages sale

By Nicole Russo

Coady

Commissioner Dan won his debut on April 26 at Keeneland by 1 3/4 lengths.

Commissioner Dan, who was supplemented into the Keeneland April horses of all ages sale after an impressive debut victory last week, sold for $500,000 to lead Sunday night's sale in Lexington, Ky.

Fri, 04/28/2023 - 11:10

Breeder Amy Moore gives Forte a Virginia connection

By Nicole Russo

Larmon Cowles - Gunston Hall

Forte, nicknamed Gaudy because of his white markings, was foaled at Gunston Hall Farm.

The dark bay foal’s white markings were distinctive, so much so that he was nicknamed “Gaudy” by the farm staff. But his personality didn’t match the moniker at first.

“He was somewhat shy when he was with his mother,” breeder Amy Moore recalled of the youngster at her South Gate Farm in Virginia. “He’d hide behind her in the stall.”

But now? Forte has come into his own.

“He’s gained his confidence,” trainer Todd Pletcher said of Forte, the Kentucky Derby favorite. “He’s proud of himself, as he should be.”

Wed, 04/26/2023 - 11:10

2023 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Continuar

By Nicole Russo

Barbara Livingston

Japan-bred Continuar is from the second crop of Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Drefong.

Continuar

Drefong – Pan de Ring, by King Kamehameha

Bred in Japan by Lake Villa Farm ($635,432 JRHA yearling purchase by Toshihiko Tabata)

Mon, 04/24/2023 - 12:50

Former racehorses compete in Land Rover Kentucky event

By Nicole Russo

While the eyes of the racing world are focusing on the upcoming Kentucky Derby, this week, several former racehorses will chase their own equivalent of a Grade 1 accomplishment.

Sun, 04/23/2023 - 14:23

Into Mischief, Speightstown juveniles top Ocala Breeders' preview show

By Nicole Russo

Four-time reigning leading sire Into Mischief and perennially successful stallion Speightstown both factored prominently as the under-tack preview show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s spring sale of 2-year-olds in training concluded.

Wed, 04/19/2023 - 11:10

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Kingsbarns

By Nicole Russo

Kingsbarns, here winning the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, and stablemate Major Dude worked five furlongs in 1:02.99 at Palm Beach Downs on Friday.

Barbara Livingston

Kingsbarns remained undefeated after this victory in the Louisiana Derby.

Kingsbarns

Uncle Mo – Lady Tapit, by Tapit

Bred in Kentucky by Parks Investment Group ($250,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase by Tom McCrocklin; $800,000 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream 2-year-old purchase by Spendthrift Farm)

Sun, 04/16/2023 - 15:08

Medaglia d’Oro pursuing Kentucky Oaks sire record with Botanical

By Nicole Russo

Coady photo

Botanical won the Bourbonette Oaks in her last start on March 25.

Stalwart sire Medaglia d’Oro will try to move into the Kentucky Oaks record books when his daughter Botanical brings a stakes win streak at Turfway Park into in the 149th edition of the filly classic on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

Sun, 04/16/2023 - 13:36

Pope's big purchase of Tapit Trice in 2021 paying dividends now

By Nicole Russo

Coady Photography

Tapit Trice won the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 8.

Mandy Pope, who breeds and races as Whisper Hill Farm, is known for being a major player at Thoroughbred auctions in North America. She was ready to play at a high level again when a yearling Tapit colt from the family of Eclipse Award champion Jaywalk stepped into the Keeneland September ring in 2021.

“I always try to set a realistic price, but Mandy has been known to push the envelope when she really likes a horse,” Whisper Hill manager Todd Quast said. “I knew who we were against, and I knew we had to stay strong.”

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 12:05

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lord Miles

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

Wood Memorial winner Lord Miles (left) is by Curlin. His dam is a half-sister to champion Caledonia Road, winner of the 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Lord Miles

Curlin – Lady Esme, by Majestic Warrior

Bred in Kentucky by Vegso Racing Stable

With all the major Kentucky Derby prep races in the books, the biggest newcomer on this week’s Daily Racing Form Derby Watch is Lord Miles, who returned $120.50 for his nose victory in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on Saturday at Aqueduct. While he will again be a long price in the Derby, he brings classic credentials from a pedigree standpoint.

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