Japan’s Ushba Tesoro streaks into Breeders’ Cup Classic
The captain of Japan's Breeders' Cup team is Ushba Tesoro, the Dubai World Cup (G1) winner who rides a six-race winning streak into the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
Breeders Cup
Kellie Reilly
Kellie Reilly is a journalist and turf writer specializing in international horse racing.
International spotlight: Breeders’ Cup WAYIs on Arc Day 2023
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) is figuratively, and almost literally, the centerpiece of the Sunday action at ParisLongchamp, as the fourth of nine races on the fantastic card. Thus the other Group 1s, including four Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events, are stacked all around it.
International
International spotlight: 10 storylines for 2023 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Sunday’s €5 million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) is living up to its historic legacy as a fascinating intergenerational clash, pitting current classic winners versus older stars.
International
First-crop sires: Omaha Beach runners hit targets from Del Mar to France
Since our opening salvo on Omaha Beach’s juveniles, the freshman sire has added four more winners, for a total of 11, and increased his tally of stakes performers. Let’s catch up with his recent stakes results before focusing on his latest progeny in the win column.
Pedigree
Betting Intelligence: Dea Matrona vs. Dazzling Star in Natalma Stakes
In an alternate universe, Dea Matrona might have been the Godolphin shipper in Saturday’s Natalma (G1) at Woodbine, rather than the one making her North American debut for Chad Brown.
International
International Spotlight: Five BC WAYIs during Irish Champions Festival
This weekend’s Irish Champions Festival features a grand total of five Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” contests.
International
Pedigree notebook: Randomized expands Nyquist's portfolio
After Crimson Advocate captured the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot, and unbeaten New York Thunder rumbled in the Amsterdam (G2) on the Saratoga dirt, Nyquist was in the spotlight as the sire of dazzling sprinters. Now that Randomized carried her speed over 1 1/4 miles in last Saturday’s Alabama (G1), she’s expanded the horizons.
Pedigree
International spotlight: York's Ebor Festival offers Breeders' Cup spots
While it’s Travers Week stateside, the British racing scene is focused on the Ebor Festival at York from Wednesday through Saturday. A trio of Breeders’ Cup Challenge events will highlight the first three days, with star power in the Juddmonte International (G1) on Wednesday’s opening day.
International
First-crop sires: Hopeful-bound Pirate makes waves for Omaha Beach
With his fashionable pedigree and exceptional record on the racetrack, Omaha Beach is eligible to become a top sire.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Prime time just beginning for Not This Time
It’s been some week for hot young sire Not This Time, from the sales ring at Saratoga to the racecourse at Colonial Downs.
Pedigree
Betting Intelligence: Arlington Million Day
From well-bred maiden prospects to well-traveled turf campaigners, compelling racing is in store on Arlington Million Day. Here are some horses to consider on the terrific card at Colonial Downs.
Features
Pedigree notebook: Justify juggernaut rolls on with second-crop juveniles
Amid the celebrations of his first Grade 1-winning three-year-olds, Justify is ramping up the momentum with his second crop of juveniles. The undefeated Triple Crown champion has budding stars in both Europe and the United States, on turf and dirt.
Pedigree
International spotlight: Sussex, Nassau serve up Glorious clashes at Goodwood
The British summer festivals roll on to Glorious Goodwood this week, with an action-packed five days of racing kicking off on Tuesday.
International
Two Phil's just one of notables graduating from Colonial Downs
In recent years, a number of major performers broke their maidens at Colonial Downs, including Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Two Phil’s.
Features
International spotlight: Battle royal on tap in 2023 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth
A vintage edition of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) is set for Ascot on Saturday (10:40 a.m. ET), with an overload of angles and storylines.
International
Longshot of interest for the 2023 Irish Oaks
An up-and-comer from the Dermot Weld yard, #1 Azazat (15-1), has plenty of appeal as an “each-way” proposition.
International
Pedigree notebook: Frankel hits Royal Ascot triple, follows up with Curragh juvenile
Frankel deserved the pedigree notebook treatment for siring three Group 1 stars at Royal Ascot, but the Juddmonte great is a moving target. He has continued to supply more material in the interim, most significantly a juvenile filly who broke her maiden over Irish Derby weekend.
Pedigree
Pedigree clues for juveniles in Bashford Manor, Debutante Stakes at Ellis Park
Sunday’s card at Ellis Park wraps up Stephen Foster weekend with five more stakes, including two for promising juveniles. Let’s look for pedigree clues in the Debutante S. and Bashford Manor S.
Pedigree
Betting intelligence: Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park
Weather could be a major factor on the blockbuster Stephen Foster Day card at Ellis Park. If the stormy forecast verifies, we’re looking at a wet main track, and at best, a rain-affected turf course. With that in mind, here are contenders to consider beyond the obvious favorites.
Analysis
Royal Ascot 2023: Top 10 takeaways
While the proliferation of longshots was a recurring theme of Royal Ascot 2023, there’s much more to be gleaned from the five action-packed days. Here’s my synthesis, in top 10 style.
Royal Ascot
International spotlight: Equinox tackles Breeders' Cup WAYI Takarazuka Kinen
Late Saturday night/early Sunday morning our time (2:40 a.m. ET), the world’s top-rated horse, Equinox, returns in the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Takarazuka Kinen (G1) at Hanshin.
International
Betting Intelligence: June 24 stakes from Royal Ascot to Thistledown
After quick notes on Saturday’s Royal Ascot finale, I’ll highlight contenders to watch in several stateside stakes.
Royal Ascot
2023 Royal Ascot: Selections for Wednesday
The Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Prince of Wales’s (G1) is the highlight of Royal Ascot Wednesday, with a small but select field squaring off. Enhancing the day’s puzzles are an incredibly tricky Queen Mary (G2) with 28 juvenile fillies, and a Queen’s Vase (G2) with perhaps more than usual strength in depth among three-year-old stayers.
Royal Ascot
Five longshots to know for 2023 Royal Ascot
While the build-up to Royal Ascot centers upon the favorites in the marquee races, longshots can pop up throughout the festival.
Royal Ascot
2023 Royal Ascot: Selections for Tuesday
The Royal Ascot meeting gets off to a rollicking start Tuesday with two “Win and You’re In” events for the Breeders’ Cup, the Queen Anne (G1) for older milers and the King’s Stand (G1) for the speediest sprinters.
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot 2023: Lady Aurelia's son American Rascal tops Ward's hopes
Trainer Wesley Ward makes his annual raid on Royal Ascot with a four-strong team including American Rascal (the first foal of a past superstar of this meeting, Lady Aurelia) and Twilight Gleaming. But there are U.S. shippers from other barns as well.
Royal Ascot
Breeders' Cup Challenge events among must-see clashes at Royal Ascot 2023
As the show-stopping summer racing festival, Royal Ascot invariably serves up compelling fare. North American fans have an added incentive to watch the four Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” (WAYI) events, but the top-drawer action spans the entire five days from June 20-24.
Royal Ascot
Australians Artorius, The Astrologist set for Royal Ascot's 2023 Jubilee
We continue our look at the Australian team for Royal Ascot with the two contenders for the June 24 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (G1), Artorius and The Astrologist.
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot 2023: Australians Coolangatta, Cannonball aim for King's Stand
One year after Australian speedster Nature Strip ran his rivals ragged at Royal Ascot, two of his compatriots will try to follow up his performance in the King's Stand (G1).
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot 2023: Hong Kong's Wellington looms in Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee
Hong Kong champion Wellington commands respect in his first international venture in the June 24 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (G1) at Royal Ascot.
Royal Ascot