No Baffert Trainees Nominated to Oaks
A total of 103 horses have been nominated to the GI Kentucky Oaks and they all have one thing in common: none are trained by Bob Baffert. According to Churchill Downs Senior Director, Media Services, Darren… [To read this entire TDN News Story, click here.]
Mishriff Draws Outside, Mandaloun Six in Saudi Cup
Defending winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) navigated a trip from post 12 to win last year’s Saudi Cup, and the 5-year-old will have to come from even wider on Saturday, having landed in the… [To read this entire TDN News Story, click here.]
Oisin Murphy Banned Until 2023
Oisin Murphy has been banned 11 months for breaching Covid rules in September 2020, and must serve an additional 100 days for two alcohol breaches. The three-time champion jockey, therefore, will not be seen in… [To read this entire TDN News Story, click here.]
Churchill Downs, Inc. is set to acquire Colonial Downs, as well as several historical horse racing facilities in the state, after the company announced it has entered into a purchasing agreement to acquire the assets… [To read this entire TDN News Story, click here.]
PA Horse Breeders Announce 2YO Stallion Series
Edited press release Taking the next step in utilizing the state’s lucrative Breeding Fund to enhance the breeding industry, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association has established its first-ever 2-year-old PA-sired PA-bred stallion series, with $600,000 in… [To read this entire TDN News Story, click here.]
Graeme Rodway examines the Stayers’ Hurdle
It’s not often that the betting market for one of the four championship races at the festival is dominated by horses without a ‘1’ by their name, but that is the case in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Last year’s winner Flooring Porter suffered defeat at the hands of Klassical Dream on his last start and Klassical Dream also comes into the race on the back of a defeat. He was turned over as 1-3 favourite in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January and has a bit to prove.
Champ was also beaten at odds-on by Paisley Park in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham, while Thyme Hill’s last run also resulted in defeat at Champ’s hands in Ascot’s Long Walk.
They have all beaten each other and there are more questions than answers regarding the protagonists. One thing is clear: there is no standout stayer among them and it’s probably going to be the horse who is at their peak for that one day who walks off with the prize.
So what has been key to peaking for the big day? Age has been a key factor in recent years and the great Thistlecrack is the only horse to win the race at older than seven since 2013.
Klassical Dream is eight, Thyme Hill eight, Champ ten, Paisley Park the same. Their recent inconsistency could be due to age and the three fancied seven-year-olds, Flooring Porter, Royal Kahala and Sporting John, might be more reliable in terms of peaking for the day.
Flooring Porter has had a similar prep to last year and must go well, but those aiming for value will be looking beyond the market leader and then ground comes into the reckoning.
Royal Kahala and Sporting John both seem well suited by testing conditions. Royal Kahala might also be more likely to run in the Mares’ Hurdle, so maybe Sporting John is the bet. Provided the rain arrives, the Grade 1-winning chaser could hit the big time over hurdles.
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