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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Skippylongstocking Works At The Spa, No Decision Yet On Whitney
Skippylongstocking Works At The Spa, No Decision Yet On Whitney originally appeared on Paulick Report. Daniel Alonso's multimillionaire Skippylongstocking breezed a half-mile in 49.22 second on Saturday over the main track at Saratoga Race Course. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said he will wait until entry day [Sunday] to decide whether the 6-year-old Exaggerator bay will run in next Saturday's $1-million Whitney (G1), a nine-furlong test for older horses here. The Whitney offers a 'Win and You're In' berth to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic in November at Del Mar. Skippylongstocking worked in company with Walley World while completing his fifth timed move at the Spa since a three-quarter-length victory in the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup on May 26 at Santa Anita Park. That was his 11th career victory among his multiple graded stakes-winning and multiple Grade 1-placed 32 start career, which includes 2023-24 victories in the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, set to be contested August 22 at its namesake oval. 'He went a half in company with Walley World,' said Joseph. 'The Whitney is in the cards, but we don't need to decide until we have to, so tomorrow morning we will decide that. We didn't run in the Stephen Foster this year, so we ran last year in the Whitney, but we do want to try to win three Charles Town Classics with him. That is the main goal, and tomorrow we will decide if we enter the Whitney.' Skippylongstocking was fifth in last year's Whitney before a dominant Charles Town Classic score. Joseph said taking that path again is undecided with the Whitney appearing to be especially tough, including 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and Whitney-winning stablemate White Abarrio. 'The cons are the competition,' Joseph said, with a laugh. 'That is a tough race. That is the con. The pros are if he were to win it. We want to run in the Whitney, I know we did it last year, but if he runs in the Whitney and has a hard race and you mess up the Charles Town Classic, that is the drawback.' Joseph said White Abarrio's presence will have no bearing on the Skippylongstocking decision. The multimillionaire 6-year-old Race Day gray is owned by C Two Racing Stable, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa Stable. 'They've run against each other all the time. The fact is White Abarrio is a better horse than him on paper, he's beat him [most of] the times they've matched up, and you've got more than him [targeting the Whitney], there's Fierceness and Sierra Leone,' Joseph said. 'The main thing is the competition.' White Abarrio was fourth last out in the one-mile Grade 1 Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap on June 7 at Saratoga. 'He got bumped a couple times into the first turn, jostled for position, after that he was in a good enough spot, but it seems like at that distance, the positions don't really change. In the majority of the races who is first or second kind of goes around there,' said Joseph. 'He's coming into this well. He has one more work, he will go three-eighths the last work and hopefully he comes out well and has a good week.' Michael Ryan's Grade 1 winner Be Your Best scratched from the Grade 1 Dunkin' Diana on July 12 at Saratoga due to heavy rain before the race and now targets the Grade 2 Beverly D. on August 9 at Colonial Downs. Joseph said the 5-year-old Muhaarar bay is also under consideration for the Grade 2, $300,000 Ballston Spa on August 8 here in search of finding a course with firm turf. Be Your Best worked a half-mile in 49 3/5 seconds, according to NYRA clockers, over the main track on Saturday. 'She went well. She went a half from the three-eighths pole, 49 and three,' said Joseph. 'Plan A is the Colonial race, the Beverly D., but there is also the Ballston Spa the day before here. Wherever the weather is good. She needs firm turf. If Colonial has rain, she'll run here. If both are firm, she'll run at Colonial. We haven't discussed whether we will cross-enter, but those are the options, basically.' Be Your Best was a last-out 2 3/4-length gate-to-wire winner of the nine-furlong Grade 1 Gamely in May at Santa Anita. She has won 4-of-6 efforts for Joseph, Jr. since transferring from trainer Horacio De Paz in October 2024, taking the 11-furlong Grade 3 Long Island at Aqueduct Racetrack, and Gulfstream Park's one-mile Grade 3 Suwannee River and 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Forever Young Pointing To 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic
Forever Young was dynamic in defeat in Kentucky Derby 150 Oh to be Forever Young, that's a common goal for many. For one ultra-talented Thoroughbred, that's absolutely the goal when it comes to the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic. Forever Young is a globe-trotting race horse that has displayed immense potential during his three years of competition. Running at eight different tracks on three separate continents, this Japanese-bred son of Real Steel has earned over $15.4 million whilst winning eight races and finishing third three times in eleven starts. The earnings and the record speak volumes about the quality of this grandson of Congrats. The ability to ship and win races makes for a special race horse and boasting those type numbers makes Forever Young world renowned. But, the spirit of competitive excellence from his team has fueled an unquenchable thirst . 'I have great respect for his record', says trainer Yoshito Yahagi. 'At the same time, the fact he was defeated three times is quite frustrating and makes me reflect on whether there was something more I could have done.' After going three for three as a two-year-old in his native Japan, Forever Young journeyed to the Middle East and began his three-year old campaign with a determined effort in winning the Saudi Derby. After an impressive score in the UAE Derby in Dubai, Yahagi took his talent to Louisville and the Kentucky Derby. With his huge late kick on display, Forever Young came up a nose and a whisker short of winning the world's most famous race. Despite finishing third and tasting defeat for the first time, Japan's jewel proved he was a real player and very capable against the best the world has to offer. Full of confidence and eager to prove the worth of his colt, the veteran conditioner brilliantly prepared Forever Young for another run on American soil in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic. Coming to Del Mar off a waltzing win in the Japan Dirt Classic, Forever Young was again a little late getting in the race and finished a closing third just 2 ¾ lengths behind Sierra Leone. As is the case with any athlete, the transition from one season to the next does not always produce the same results. Eager to continue cultivating his talent, Yahagi entered Forever Young in the Saudi Cup for his four-year-old debut race. Would Forever Young be the Forever Young people had become accustomed to? Facing a field that featured perhaps the world's most successful active runner in Romantic Warrior on February 22, the answer was provided. As the fourteen runners broke, there was Forever Young right at the front. Moving with ease down the backstretch, Japan's darling maintained his position. On the turn for home, Romantic Warrior, the winner of eight consecutive races, bolted past the frontrunners and seemed to assume command. Staring at a two-length deficit, it was now showtime for Forever Young With the finish line drawing ever closer, jockey Rysei Sakai guided his mount off the rail and urged him forward. Displaying a dynamic determination that legends are made from and with immeasurable horse power pulsing through his veins, Forever Young closed the gap with ground-gobbling strides. Refusing to accept defeat, Forever Young got up at the wire by a neck and netted his conditioner even more international glory. 'The Saudi Cup was an incredible performance that really showed his determination', says Yahagi. 'It gave the world an opportunity to see his power, talent, and potential. While my stable has had success overseas before, Forever Young's victory in Saudi Arabia was an astounding achievement for us'. Having proven that the four-year-old Forever Young is perhaps a better Forever Young, the focus turns to a return trip to the Breeders' Cup. Contested again at Del Mar in 2025, the Cup truly offers a chance to be the 'World Champion'. Qualifying races for the event are run throughout the year in fifteen different countries with eyes on bringing the best of the best in every division together. As a trainer with a very worldly resume, Yahagi has played a major role in elevating the Japanese racing brand around the globe. As the conditioner that brought his homeland their first two Breeders' Cup championships (2021 Filly and Mare Turf, Loves Only You 2021 Distaff Marche Lorraine), the Tokyo native will concentrate on bringing the best Forever Young to Del Mar on November 1. 'The Breeders' Cup is now our main target', says Yahagi. 'We had hoped to prep in a race in the United States, but due to strict quarantine rules we will focus on Japanese preps instead. The Breeders' Cup Classic provides an opportunity to be recognized as a world champion. I am fully committed to doing everything I can to help him become the first Japanese horse to win the Breeders' Cup Classic.' The Breeders' Cup will be contested in Del Mar, California on October 31 and November 1. The $7 million Classic will be run on November 1, and if Yahagi has his way, the runner in the winner's circle will be what we all want to be…Forever Young. Forever Young hopes to become the first Japanese based winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del ... More Mar
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Royal Ascot trainer blasts 'worst ride' from jockey making debut at meeting
Jerome Raynier was not happy with Flavien Prat's effort on Facteur Cheval after the globetrotter weakened out of the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot won by John and Thady Gosden runner Ombudsman A trainer has complained about the 'worst ride' from a top jockey who was making his debut at Royal Ascot. Flavien Prat flew over from America to team up with Facteur Cheval in the £1million Prince of Wales's Stakes on Wednesday. The 25-1 shot finished sixth of eight behind impressive winner Ombudsman, a horse continuing an excellent week for father and son team John and Thady Gosden. While there were celebrations for the Newmarket stable, French handler Jerome Reynier was dissatisfied with Prat's effort on Facteur Cheval after the earner of almost £4million of prize money ran out of puff in the straight. From a midfield position the six-year-old gelding made good headway three furlongs from the finish and held a slight lead before he weakened right out of contention to be beaten eight-and-a-quarter lengths. The 1m 2f was the furthest distance Facteur Cheval had tried and Reynier claimed Prat, who has ridden 1,995 winners in his home country, gave him little chance. READ MORE: Mirror watches as Royal Ascot punters stopped by drug sniffer dogs The trainer fumed: "He (the horse) has come out of the race well, despite his jockey doing absolutely nothing to help him. I think it was perhaps the worst ride given to one of my horses since I became a trainer. "In a race with loads of pace, he elected to lead the chase (behind pacemaker Continuous). He was the first to commit on the turn for home and launched his attack three wide with no cover and too far out." Before the race Prat was described "as brilliant a turf rider as any of us have ever seen over here" by Team Valor International chief Barry Irwin, who own the 2024 Meydan Dubai Turf hero with Gary Barber. Facteur Cheval picked up just over £14,000 for connections in a race which had top three prizes of £599,708, £227,362.50 and £113,787. Via the Racing Post, Reynier added: "Flavien thought he was at Santa Anita or Del Mar where they have short straights and the tracks are flat. "And I don't think it was a judicious move to use a jockey who rides in that style. It was just a terrible ride." Born in France, Prat has lived in America since 2015, where he has ridden top horses like Breeders Cup Classic hero Flightline and Hot Rod Charlie, the winner of the Pennsylvania Derby. He took another ride for George Weaver's US stable after partnering Facteur Cheval, when Tough Critic finished 11th of the 23 that set out in the Windsor Castle Stakes won by Eve Johnson Houghton-saddled Havana Hurricane.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Post positions, morning line odds for 2025 Kentucky Derby
The first Saturday in May is one of the great events on the sports calendar, and this year finds a super horse that is already garnering Triple Crown buzz as 20 of the best thoroughbreds in the world head to Louisville for the most famous race in all of American sports. The Kentucky Derby is open to all three-year-old horses, though no fillies are running this year. Participants are going ten furlongs (or 1 1/4 mile), and $5 million is added to the prize pool for the Grade 1 stakes race — the largest pool in America outside the Breeders Cup Classic. Kentucky Derby post positions and morning line odds * Rodriguez was originally set as the No. 4 horse, but was scratched on Thursday. Baeza moved to the No. 20 position as the alternate, and all horses now in gates 5-19 in the field moved one spot closer to the rail. Kentucky Derby predictions Despite what a college guidance counselor might tell you, Journalism is alive and well and the favorite to wear the blanket of Roses as the sun sets on Saturday afternoon. Trainer Michael McCarthy has put the son of Curlin and Mopotism on the track five times, the first in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita where he crawled to a third. Since then he's won all four races, including three stakes wins at the Grade 2 Los Al Futurity and San Felipe Stakes, and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby a month ago. Advertisement He paid just $4.00 for his victory over the five-horse field at Santa Anita, but don't let the one-length win fool you: He took the worst trip imaginable, from a start on the rail to the far outside on the final turn, and still had plenty in the tank at the wire. The victory at the San Felipe was the same, as jockey Umbert Rispoli did just enough to get over the line by 1 3⁄ 4 over the field, but didn't need the afterburners apparently on offer. If Rispoli can find a clear line from the eight-hole, there should be plenty of speed available when down the stretch they come. Sovereignty is the No. 17 horse, and brings as much closing speed as anyone in the field. Junior Alvarado's mount will want a glacial pace, as he's got as much closing speed as anyone. In his last three stakes races he was no better than fifth at the 3⁄ 4 pole, but finished with two wins and a second at the Florida Derby that fell short by just over a length. There have only been five winners of the 132 horses that have started in gate No. 17 or higher at Churchill Downs, so staying out of the way early and finding a good trip will be key for the Bill Mott trainee. We know one thing about Bob Baffert's only remaining entry following his suspension from Churchill Downs, and that is he won't be behind at the first turn. Citizen Bull is going for the lead from the rail, and will try to just run away and hang on. In three of his last four races Bull was first to the quarter pole and the finish line, including a 107 speed figure at the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. But the 2024 Breeders Cup Juvenile winner's most recent outing was the Santa Anita Derby, where he failed to ever lead and finished 10 lengths behind Journalism in fourth. Advertisement There were several candidates for a scratch, and with Rodriguez out the beneficiary is John Shirreffs Baeza, who was the first alternate after finishing second at the Santa Anita Derby. It took Baeza three outings to break his maiden, but his fourth career start was a second place at the Santa Anita Derby. A 107 speed figure in that race saw him finish just a head behind Journalism at the wire. For all the races at Churchill Downs this weekend, FanDuel Racing is offering a fantastic rebate of a deal on horse racing betting, as new customers can place their first bet up to $500 on any race at any track. And if your first bet doesn't win, you'll get it back in Racing Bonus dollars for future wagers for future horse races that expire after seven days. How to watch the Kentucky Derby Post time for The Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET, with the TV broadcast on NBC starting at 2:30 p.m. Peacock, and the NBC Sports app will all have streaming coverage of all Derby Day races from Churchill Downs.
