Fri, 09/23/2011 - 14:46

Newmarket: Lyric of Light takes Shadwell Fillies' Mile

Lyric of Light earned an automatic berth for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4, and a low future-book price for the 2012 English 1000 Guineas, after winning Friday’s Group 1 Shadwell Fillies’ Mile for 2-year-olds at Newmarket, England.

BREEDERS' CUP CHALLENGE: Racing schedule, replays, and past winners »

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 16:41

Sahpresa seeks to defend title in Sun Chariot

From a local perspective, the big race on Saturday’s card at Newmarket in England is the prestigious Cambridgeshire Handicap, a nine-furlong cavalry charge with 35 horses entered. But from an international vantage point, the two Group 1’s on the Newmarket card, the Sun Chariot for fillies at one mile, and the Cheveley Park for 2-year-old fillies, take center stage.

Wed, 09/21/2011 - 17:01

Sea Moon possible for Breeders' Cup Turf

Trainer Michael Stoute, a regular participant in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, might have another horse for the race’s 2011 edition in the 3-year-old Sea Moon. Sea Moon most recently finished third as the favorite in the Sept. 10 St. Leger Stakes over 1 3/4 miles at Doncaster, but in his previous start won the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes over 1 1/2 miles by eight lengths.

Sun, 09/11/2011 - 13:28

Sarafina tunes up for Arc by beating males in Prix Foy

Sarafina won her third race in a row, bulling between horses deep in the stretch run to win the Prix Foy by a head over the Japanese horse Hiruno d’Amour and cement her position as one of the favorites for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in three weeks.

Fri, 09/09/2011 - 21:44

Prix Niel offers BC Turf berth, but Arc could be the goal for Meandre

The Group 1 Prix Niel for 3-year-olds over 1 1/2 miles on Sunday at Longchamp in Paris is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In race, meaning the race winner gains an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf  as well as $20,000 in travel expenses to ship to Churchill Downs for the race. But the BC Turf probably does not sit foremost in the mind of the trainer of the likely race favorite, Meandre.

Fri, 09/09/2011 - 17:20

Power, Dragon Pulse headline National Stakes at Curragh [live video]

Live Video

Saturday’s card at the Curragh features the Group 1 National Stakes at seven furlongs for 2-year-olds, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In race for the BC Juvenile Turf. The National is set to go with a field of nine, with Power and Dragon Pulse the two antepost favorites in the betting.

Fri, 09/09/2011 - 16:39

Longchamp: Goldikova's little sister on the move up

Goldikova was withdrawn last weekend from consideration for the Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp on Sunday, but Goldikova’s 3-year-old half-sister, Galikova, will see Group 1 action on the card in Paris as one of six horses in the Prix Vermeille.

Besides the pair of Group 1’s, Sunday’s Longchamp program also includes the Prix Foy and Prix Niel, both historically important prep races for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Thu, 09/08/2011 - 16:52

St. Leger: Sea Moon has tough rival in Blue Bunting

The Godolphin-owned filly Blue Bunting seeks her third straight Group 1 victory and fourth of the year on Saturday at Doncaster in England, but has a formidable foe in the Michael Stoute-trained Sea Moon, who is widely favored to win the St. Leger Stakes.

Tue, 09/06/2011 - 15:30

Goldikova to prep for Breeders' Cup in Prix de la Foret at Longchamp

Alysse Jacobs
Goldikova, Olivier Peslier up, wins her third straight Breeders' Cup Mile in 2010.

Goldikova will make her next start in the Prix de la Foret on Oct. 2 at Longchamp as she prepares to attempt a fourth straight win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Since finishing second in the Aug. 15 Prix Jacques le Marois, Goldikova had been tentatively pointed to Sunday’s Prix du Moulin, but trainer Freddie Head announced a change in plans this past weekend. Instead of the Moulin, Goldikova will go instead for the Foret, the race she used as a bridge to the Breeders’ Cup the last two years.