Zelaina rockets into Queen Mary picture
Just like last year's hero, Zelaina, a £650,000 breeze-up buy, is owned by Wathnan Racing and she may have propelled herself to the top of their pecking order.
Burke, who also won the PricedUp Pushes EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes two years ago with Bright Diamond who went on to finish third in the Queen Mary, had warned prior to the race the even-money favourite had even missed 10 days' work prior to the race.
Winning jockey James Doyle said of the two-and-three-quarter-length winner: 'She'd been doing the right things at home but Karl had had to give her an easy time leading into this so we were worried about fitness.
'She's shown at the breeze and at home that she's got an engine and she caught me by surprise out the gates, she must have got a few lengths, got up into that stride and away she went.
'She's quite hot, so we'll do a few little things to iron that out going into Ascot.
'You'd love to get a lead but when they have that much pace it is hard to do that. She had a blow and like Karl said she'd have a little niggle so I'd expect her to come on.
'It will be the Queen Mary I'd guess and I suppose she was a bit more impressive than Leovanni.'
Zelaina is now 4-1 joint-favourite for the Queen Mary alongside the Ger Lyons-trained Lady Iman.
Burke told Racing TV: 'She's very quick. If it wasn't for the little setback I'd have been very disappointed with anything other than a win. She'll come on for that.
'Leovanni was a different type, a bit more mature. This one isn't bad, she just likes to get on with things.
'If we can get her there in the form I think we can I'll be very happy.'
The Leyburn handler had already won the PricedUp Daily Sports Boosts Novice Stakes with another expensive newcomer in Reciprocated, but his 14-1 success was much less expected.
Burke said: 'I didn't expect him to win today, I'll be honest, as it looked a very hot race on paper.
'I said to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid (owner) this morning that I thought he'd run well and he's a lovely horse, but I didn't think he was capable of doing that first time.
'There's plenty of improvement in him so the future's good for him I think.
'It was a horrible draw, you hate being on the wing with two-year-olds, but I went through the race with Cliff (Lee) and it worked out well.
'I think he'll be better with a bit more cut in the ground and over seven furlongs as well.
'I don't think he's an Ascot two-year-old, but I'll speak to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, I think he's more a July Stakes/Goodwood type.'
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Telegraph
13 hours ago
- Telegraph
The Betfred Derby – Runner-by-runner guide and tips
The Derby, run over 1m 4f around the twists, turns and undulations of Epsom, is a true test of the thoroughbred, examining a horse's speed, stamina and balance. First staged in 1780, it's one of the world's most prestigious races. Sponsored by Betfred, this famous Classic carries prize money of £1,500,000, of which just over £900,000 goes to the winner. This year's renewal has attracted 19 runners, three of them trained by Aidan O'Brien, who has won the race a record 10 times. It's live on ITV1 and Racing TV. Odds provided by Betfred and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (max 5). If you already have a Betfred account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts. Betfred Derby – 3.30pm, Saturday Ron Wood's Betfred Derby verdict This year's Derby is wide open. The favourite Delacroix is no standout on form, the 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court is stepping up half a mile in trip and The Lion In Winter belatedly needs to build on his two-year-old promise. The last two could probably do with the rain staying away, an unsettled weather forecast perhaps influencing Ryan Moore's decision to give up the ride on The Lion In Winter in favour of Delacroix. Pride Of Arras and Damysus, the Dante Stakes winner and runner-up, appeal most of those towards the head of the betting, but the form of the York race doesn't look robust, as there was a muddling pace and the first 10 finishers were covered by just six lengths at the line. There are plenty of runners who appeal at big prices and this feels like a Derby in which it's worth taking a chance on some outsiders. Midak (16/1), TENNESSEE STUD (33/1) and Lazy Griff (100/1) appeal most on that score. It's Tennessee Stud who is my selection. Ignore his defeat behind Delacroix on his reappearance at Leopardstown. The winner was race-fit whereas the selection had been given an extended break and is a big horse who would have needed the outing. Plus it wasn't a truly run race. This test promises to bring out more in him, given he had the stamina to win a Group 1 contest over 1m 2f on testing ground as a juvenile, and the Derby has been the aim since then. Betfred Derby – Guide to runners and odds Delacroix (14) – 3/1 with Betfred Trainer: Aidan O'Brien; Jockey: Ryan Moore: Has won both starts in 1m 2f Group 3 Derby trials at Leopardstown this year, quickening off a steady pace most recently. This requires more, but he's a half-brother to a Group 1 winner over 1m 6f and should be fine over the longer trip. He is the choice of Ryan Moore, who has ridden the last two Derby winners (and has won the race four times overall), over the other two runners for Aidan O'Brien, who has won the race a record 10 times. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ruling Court (7) – 7/2 with Betfred Trainer: Charlie Appleby; Jockey: William Buick: Finished behind The Lion In Winter over 7f in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last summer, but improved to win the 2,000 Guineas – the season's first Classic – over a mile at Newmarket in May. He is by Justify, the sire of last year's Derby winner, and the dam's sire, High Chaparral, won the Derby in 2002, although a deeper dive into his pedigree suggests he's not a sure stayer. Slow ground would be a worry. ⭐⭐⭐ Pride Of Arras (16) – 5/1 with Betfred Trainer: Ralph Beckett; Jockey: Rossa Ryan: On his sole start as a two-year-old, he landed a Sandown maiden that his trainer won in 2021 with the subsequent Derby third and Group 1 winner Westover. Followed up to win the 1m 2f Group 2 Dante Stakes at York on his reappearance, quickening off a steady pace. Bred to stay on the dam's side of his pedigree, his striding data gives him every chance of getting the trip as well, for all that slow ground would be a question mark. The Dante form doesn't look strong, but he's open to further improvement. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ The Lion In Winter (19) – 8/1 with Betfred Trainer: Aidan O'Brien; Jockey: Colin Keane: By the 2009 Derby winner Sea The Stars and his dam won over 1m 4f. Looked a top-class prospect in winning his first two starts over 7f last year, notably the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York (when Ruling Court was third). However, his season was cut short early and he failed to make the 2,000 Guineas. Unplaced behind three of these rivals on his belated return in the Dante at York, where he pulled hard, met some trouble late on and wasn't given an unduly hard ride. He was said to need the run and his trainer's last two winners of this race were bouncing back from disappointing reappearances. Ryan Moore has deserted him for Delacroix and slow ground would be a question mark, but he shouldn't be written off. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Damysus (15) – 12/1 with Betfred Trainer: John and Thady Gosden; Jockey: James Doyle: By the great Frankel out of a 1m 4f Group 2 winner. Improving with racing, most recently finishing second to Pride Of Arras in the 1m 2f Dante Stakes at York. Didn't help himself by hanging left, so he will need to be more professional to handle this trickier track, with its camber in the straight, while the Dante form may not be reliable. But he's still learning and could progress enough for the greater stamina test. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lambourn (10) – 12/1 with Betfred Trainer: Aidan O'Brien; Jockey: Wayne Lordan: By his connections' 2014 Derby winner Australia. Runner-up to stablemate Delacroix over 1m 2f on reappearance, before winning Group 3 Chester Vase over this trip. Needs to improve a lot. ⭐⭐⭐ Stanhope Gardens (2) – 16/1 with Betfred Trainer: Ralph Beckett; Jockey: Hector Crouch: Ran green when third behind Ruling Court in a 7f maiden at Sandown on their debuts last year and later finished a close second to Delacroix in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes over a mile at Newmarket. Has had an unconventional prep, returning only two weeks ago to win what was little better than an egg-and-spoon race over a mile at Salisbury. His connections have been keen to get him here but he needs to improve, which he may do for this trip. ⭐⭐⭐ Midak (4) – 16/1 with Betfred Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard; Jockey: Mickael Barzalona: French-trained runner who seems to have surprised his connections, as he wasn't originally entered in this race or some other big events but has been supplemented into this field for £75,000. Goes for the Aga Khan Studs and this year's Derby is being run in honour of the late owner, His Highness Aga Khan IV, whose five Derby winners include Shergar. Successful on all three starts in France, most recently the 1m 2½f Group 3 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud, which Mickael Barzalona won on Pour Moi before their Derby win in 2011. Not as flashy as some of these, but he'll stay well. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nightwalker (5) – 25/1 with Betfred Trainer: John and Thady Gosden; Jockey: Tom Marquand: Another by Frankel and out of a half-sister to same connections' Logician (by Frankel), who won the St Leger over 1m 6½f. Looks to need this trip and more, most recently keeping on after getting behind in the 1m 2f Dante Stakes at York (behind two of these rivals). May not be fast enough, but his best is still to come. Now fitted with cheekpieces for the first time. ⭐⭐⭐ Tennessee Stud (12) – 33/1 with Betfred Trainer: Joseph O'Brien; Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle: Successful in a three-runner Group 1 race over 1m 2f on heavy ground in France last year (Green Storm second). That race was won the previous season by the same owner's Los Angeles, who was then third in this race and won the Irish Derby. This race has been the plan ever since France. Was beaten almost seven lengths into third by Delacroix at Leopardstown on his reappearance (1m 2f), but a steady early pace placed the emphasis on speed, and he will have needed the run, as his connections chose to skip the early Derby trials. Stamina looks like his game and he's a big horse who has improvement in him. Might not be the worst outsider. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tornado Alert (11) – 33/1 with Betfred Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey: Oisin Murphy: Front-running fourth behind Ruling Court in the 2,000 Guineas over a mile at Newmarket on his reappearance. Evidently talented but it's hard to think he will see this out best, for all that there's stamina on the dam's side of his pedigree. ⭐⭐ New Ground (17) – 50/1 with Betfred Trainer: Henri-Francois Devin; Jockey: Alexis Pouchin: Like Midak, he's a French-trained runner who has been supplemented for £75,000. Needs to improve a good deal, having been beaten in two lesser races up to 1m 2f in France this year, but his connections think this step up in trip could be the answer. There is plenty of stamina on the dam's side of his pedigree. ⭐⭐⭐ Tuscan Hills (6) – 66/1 with Betfred Trainer: Raphael Freire; Jockey: David Egan: Late-May foal who won both starts over a mile last year, notably a Listed race on soft ground at Pontefract. Behind a few of these when only seventh in the Dante at York on his return, but did make a bit of a move in the straight, probably being asked to go too soon. Presumably he needed the run, but his stamina is questionable looking at the pedigree. ⭐ Sea Scout (18) – 100/1 with Betfred Trainer: Simon and Ed Crisford; Jockey: Harry Davies: Another by the 2009 winner Sea The Stars. Narrowly won 1m 2f Listed race here on reappearance, before fading behind a few of these in the Dante at York, where he took a keen hold. Hard to fancy. ⭐ Lazy Griff (3) – 100/1 with Betfred Trainer: Charlie Johnston; Jockey: Christophe Soumillon: Beaten into second by Lambourn in the 1m 4f Chester Vase on his reappearance, but the winner was race-fit whereas this colt had reportedly missed a workout and was short of peak fitness. Plenty of improvement needed but he stays and won't mind rain, so he's worth considering at huge odds. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐ Nightime Dancer (9) – 150/1 with Betfred Trainer: Richard Hannon; Jockey: Jamie Spencer: Raced wide into the straight when third in the Lingfield Derby Trial (the first two finishers are missing from this race) and it's possible the ground was too fast for him. Needs to do way more now, but he isn't dismissed. ⭐⭐ Green Storm (8) – 200/1 with Betfred Trainer: Charlie Johnston; Jockey: Billy Loughnane: Second of three behind Tennessee Stud in a Group 1 race over 1m 2f in France last year. Found 1m 1f too short when a well-beaten fourth in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on reappearance. His dam won a Group 2 race over 1m 4f and he can improve for this test, but he doesn't look good enough. ⭐⭐ Odds courtesy of Betfred and correct at time of writing. Royal Ascot is less than two weeks away. Find the best Royal Ascot free bets and betting offers Last 10 Derby winners Star ratings explained ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy ⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims ⭐⭐ - tentative choice ⭐ - minimum confidence If you want to find more odds and offers, take a look at our list of the best betting sites and free bets If you're looking for casino bonuses, we've ranked UK welcome offers here
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Pacers vs Thunder NBA Finals live updates: Time, TV, odds for Game 1
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How to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 Time: 8:30 p.m. ET 8:30 p.m. ET Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City) Paycom Center (Oklahoma City) TV: ABC ABC Stream: Fubo, Sling TV Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo Where is Game 1 between Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder? The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, an hour-and-a-half before his team was set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, opened his pre-game news conference to offer support for ESPN analyst Doris Burke. A New York Times report from Wednesday, June 4 indicated that ESPN was evaluating the future of the network's No. 1 NBA team -- namely Burke and fellow analyst Richard Jefferson -- after the finals. "She has changed the game for women in broadcasting," Carlisle said Thursday, June 5, of Burke. "I have a daughter who just turned 21, who is in her second year at (the University of Virginia). She's not in the basketball industry, but Doris is a great example of courage and putting herself out there. "It was just so sad to see these reports leaked, really unnecessarily before such a celebrated event. Doris is a friend. I've asked her many times why she doesn't get into coaching; she has such great knowledge." OKLAHOMA CITY -- Asked if he reached out to anyone in the coaching fraternity to discuss coaching in the NBA Finals and handling the spectacle of the series, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, "I don't have a lot of friends. I'm embarrassed. Never been more embarrassed in my life." He added: "I haven't, like, scanned the coaching circles. I don't have Phil Jackson's number." Daigneault did chat with Billy Donovan. Daigneault was an assistant for Donovan at Florida and with the Thunder. 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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's Most Valuable Player and the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar, and Tyrese Haliburton, the pass-first point guard with a penchant in the clutch, are each franchise's hope to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Though they likely won't match up directly all the time, the responsibility of guarding the other likely falling to more specialized defenders, Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton are reshaping the image of the point guard in the modern NBA. USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes look at the Pacers and Thunder's biggest stars. In the NBA playoffs, the outcome often rests on the underrated. Certainly, the performances of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton will be scrutinized and big games can propel their respective teams to victories. But it's often the role players, sometimes off the bench, erupting on a scoring streak or clamping down on defense, who can make the difference between winning and losing. USA TODAY's Lorenzo Reyes gives three X factors for the Thunder and Pacers in this NBA Finals preview. If the impending NBA Finals matchup of the league's 23rd and 27th-ranked media markets is supposed to spell doom for the league, it is a doom the NBA's owners intentionally brought on themselves. While two glitz-free Midwestern cities in the Finals might not have the celebrity pull the NBA has largely enjoyed through its historically successful franchises, it was an inevitable outcome once the league designed a collective bargaining agreement that dismantled its traditional cycle of superteams and dynasties. Welcome to the new NBA, where championship windows are smaller, the life cycle of a roster is shorter and the number of teams that can win a title in any given year is beyond anything we've seen in our lifetimes. -- Dan Wolken Read Wolken's full column here. Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic were unanimous selections from a panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA voted on the squad. View the complete list. Winners over the past 20 years. For a full list of champions, visit 2023-24 -- Boston Celtics 2022-23 -- Denver Nuggets 2021-22 -- Golden State Warriors 2020-21 -- Milwaukee Bucks 2019-20 -- Los Angeles Lakers 2018-19 -- Toronto Raptors 2017-18 -- Golden State Warriors 2016-17 -- Golden State Warriors 2015-16 -- Cleveland Cavaliers 2014-15 -- Golden State Warriors 2013-14 -- San Antonio Spurs 2012-13 -- Miami Heat 2011-12 -- Miami Heat 2010-11 -- Dallas Mavericks 2009-10 -- Los Angeles Lakers 2008-09 -- Los Angeles Lakers 2007-08 -- Boston Celtics 2006-07 -- San Antonio Spurs 2005-06 -- Miami Heat 2004-05 -- San Antonio Spurs The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to take a 1-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Wednesday, June 4): Spread : Thunder (-9.5) : Thunder (-9.5) Moneyline : Thunder (-450); Pacers (+340) : Thunder (-450); Pacers (+340) Over/under: 231.5 The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 1 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of Wednesday, June 4) Series winner: Thunder (-700); Pacers (+500) USA TODAY: Every expert picks the Thunder All of the NBA experts at USA Today Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals Scooby Axson: Thunder in five Thunder in five Cydney Henderson: Thunder in six Thunder in six Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six Thunder in six Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six Thunder in six Heather Tucker: Thunder in five Thunder in five James Williams: Thunder in six Thunder in six Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five ESPN: 14 out of 15 experts pick Thunder 14 out of 15 of ESPN's NBA experts pick the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Every expert picks the Thunder John Schuhman writes, "The Thunder are, simply, the best team in basketball. Their No. 1 defense has been ridiculously good in the playoffs, holding the Grizzlies, Nuggets and Wolves to 19.6, 15.0 and 4.2 fewer points per 100 possessions, respectively, than they scored in the regular season. (Take away the Game 3 blowout and the Wolves' discrepancy would also be in the double-digits.) The Indiana offense vs. Oklahoma City defense could be the best one-end-of-the-floor matchup that we've seen in the Finals in a long time, but the Thunder should have the edge on that end of the floor and the other." NBC Sports: Experts pick Thunder Kurt Helin writes: "Here's Indiana's problem: Tyrese Haliburton is outstanding, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is just better; Indiana's defense is improved and can force turnovers, but OKC's is elite and just better; Myles Turner is good, but Chet Holmgren is just better (especially paired with Isiah Hartenstein); the Pacers bench was good enough for the East, but the Thunder bench is just better. And so it goes down the line. Indiana is a quality team that's about to get overwhelmed." The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers at 8:30 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC. Game 1, June 5: Pacers at Thunder Pacers at Thunder Game 2, June 8: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m. Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m. Game 3, June 11: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m. Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m. Game 4, June 13 : Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m. : Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m. Game 5, June 16 : Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.* : Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.* Game 6, June 19 : Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.* : Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.* Game 7, June 22: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m.* All times Eastern; *-if necessary Eastern Conference finals No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 New York Knicks, 4-2 Western Conference finals No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1 NBA Finals No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Rhyl Journal
Beckett wary of Oaks stamina test for Revoir
It is 17 years since Beckett broke his Classic duck in the Epsom feature with Look Here, who like his latest challenger carried the colours of owner-breeder Julian Richmond-Watson. The trainer doubled his Oaks tally with Talent in 2013 and is out to make it a hat-trick with a filly who impressed on her juvenile debut at Nottingham in the autumn, before being touched off by the reopposing Qilin Queen on her reappearance in a Listed contest at Newbury last month. Beckett said: 'I think she should come forward for the run at Newbury. I felt it was a good starting point, but she was still pretty green through the race. I liked the way she went through the line. 'You would think the step up in trip will probably be in her favour. There are stamina influences on her page, but I have slight reservations in the fact that Regardez (her dam) didn't stay a mile and a half, she got a mile and a quarter well. 'This filly is a slightly different character and is more laid-back than her mother was, but we are taking it on trust. 'Look Here winning the Oaks when we were at Whitsbury is a big part of what is going on here now. It's been 17 years and it's been a big joy to train the family – it's been a privilege. 'Julian and Sarah (Richmond-Watson) are exceptional breeders, they've never had more than six broodmares and to come up with not just Look Here but Remarquee, Scope and Kinross in the space of 15 years from six mares is extraordinary. Hopefully this filly is the next cab off the rank.' One Beckett-trained filly who has already proven her worth at the highest level is You Got To Me, who placed fourth in last year's Oaks before striking gold in the Irish equivalent and makes her first start as a four-year-old in the Betfred-sponsored Coronation Cup on the Oaks card. The daughter of Nathaniel, who will carry the Amo Racing silks for the first time, has been off the track since finishing last of seven in the St Leger at Doncaster in September. 'She's not much different different now, she's filled out (over the winter). She was always a big girl and in that sense not much has changed,' said Beckett, speaking on a Zoom call hosted by the Jockey Club on Thursday. 'This looked a good starting place for her. It looks a deep renewal and she'll have to go a bit, but she's been away for gallops a couple of times this spring and they've gone well, so I couldn't be happier. 'She's been off since the St Leger so that is nine months. Inevitably she'll need the match practice, but this leads us into the year. 'I had intended to start her in the Lancashire Oak, so this is a month earlier than we imagined.' On plans beyond her Epsom comeback, Beckett said: 'I'd like to get her in against her own sex at some point. The Yorkshire Oaks is the obvious one but France Galop, in their wisdom, moved the Prix Vermeille so there is only 17 days between the only two fillies' only Group Ones over a mile and a half in Europe, which makes life somewhat complicated. Those two races are high on her agenda.'
