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Alan Garcia, the 2008 Belmont Stakes-winning jockey aboard 38-1 longshot Da’ Tara who relocated to Kentucky in 2013, is moving his tack and family to Saudi Arabia, according to agent Donnie Richardson. Garcia, 29, had won with 40 of his 267 mounts (15.0%) at Churchill Downs since the 2013 Spring Meet but managed to crack the Top 10 of the jockey standings only once in six meetings beneath the Twin Spires – a tie for seventh with 16 wins from 115 mounts during his inaugural season. 
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So far in his brief racing career, trotter Muscle Diamond's strength has been his attitude. It's a trait he might have inherited from his mom, former star Windylane Hanover. "He's a lot like his mom,” trainer Brett Bittle said. "His mom wasn't a big horse. Her biggest asset was her determination, and he's kind of the same way. He's always charging at the wire and giving us what he's got. His attitude and his determination are his biggest assets.” Bittle trained Windylane Hanover throughout her career, which concluded in 2005 with 21 wins in 60 starts and $1.15 million in purses. She won the 2002 Hambletonian Oaks and received the 2003 Dan Patch Award for best older female trotter.
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When trainer Ray Schnittker looked at yearling pacer Tailgunner Hanover, he saw a resemblance to half-brotherRiggins. Schnittker trained Riggins, who earned $924,758 during a stakes-winning career. But the fact he saw anything at all was something of a miracle. Tailgunner Hanover is an embryo transfer foal out of Towner’s Image, who received the 1993 O’Brien Award for best 3-year-old female pacer. In 2010, Towner’s Image nearly died while giving birth to a Western Ideal foal, which passed away.
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The Grand Circuit heads to Dover Downs this Thursday (Nov. 6) for eight Matron Stakes for 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.
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Second round action of the Autumn Series got underway Monday night at Woodbine Racetrack and new faces found their way to the winner's circle. A pair of $14,000 divisions for both the two-year-old pacing and trotting fillies were contested. In the first division for pacers, Evas Girl and Jody Jamieson rebounded from a sixth place finish in the first leg to score a leg two victory in 1:53.3. A daughter of Rambaran, Evas Girl got away fourth and was sent first up around the final turn. In the stretch, Evas Girl powered to the lead and cruised to a 2 ¼ length victory. Little Miss Artist finished second, while Lady Hill took the show spot.
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Brian Sears began his work night needing six wins to turn over the odometer yet again, and he nearly did just that. Sears sat in the waiting room of the 9,000 win plateau Monday night (Oct. 27), winning four of his 10 drives during Yonkers Raceway’s 12-race card to get within two of that milestone.
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It is time for the questions to be answered, as 15 horses, seven of them 3-year-olds, have been entered for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park, with Horse of the Year, and the 3-year-old male and older male championships up for grabs. The 9-5 morning line favorite Shared Belief, last year’s champion 2-year-old male, is one of four sophomores who control their own destiny in the voting for Horse of the Year honors. It has pretty well been accepted that if Shared Belief, California Chrome,Tonalist, or Bayern win the Classic they will have nailed down the top honor, especially with defending two-time Horse of the Year Wise Danon the sidelines. A Travers Stakes (gr. I)-Breeders’ Cup Classic double could even put V. E. Day in the picture, depending on how the other 3-year-olds fare.
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The Lagoon’s Steve and Amanda Turnbull were once again prominent at the Harness Racing NSW end of season awards night in Sydney on Saturday night, coming away with the leading trainer and driver state premiership awards respectively. Although the Bathurst duo knew they had the awards wrapped up some time before the end of last season in September, they were able to finally see that made official at the Sofitel Hotel event. The Turnbulls’ other major pick-ups on the night were the Carnival of Cups leading driver and trainer awards.
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Secret Circle will try to become the second horse to win back-to-back editions of the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) after a full field of 14 entered the six-furlong race set for Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park. Midnight Lute won the Sprint in 2007 and 2008 for trainer Bob Baffert, who trains Secret Circle as well. Also like Midnight Lute, Secret Circle races for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. A 5-year-old son ofEddington out of the Dixieland Band mare Ragtime Hope, Secret Circle has won seven of 11 starts and earned $1,954,790. He will leave post 4 with Martin Garcia in the irons. Hong Kong will have its first-ever Breeders' Cup entry in Rich Tapestry, winner of the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (gr. I) in his first U.S. start. The 6-year-old Irish-bred son of Holy Roman Emperor defeated 2013 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) winner Goldencents and Secret Circle in the Sprint Championship after arriving in California just a few days earlier from Hong Kong. He will be ridden by Olivier Doleuze from the 6 hole.
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Zayat Stables' American Pharoah, a dominant winner of two grade I stakes in his last two starts, drew post 5 versus 12 other 2-year-old males in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 1. American Pharoah, who won the 1 1/16-mile FrontRunner Stakes wire to wire at Santa Anita Sept 27 and worked professionally the morning Oct. 26, appears to be well-positioned from his post. The Pioneerof the Nile colt could prove tough to defeat should he repeat his last race and his previous victory in the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) for trainer Bob Baffert. Victor Espinosa, who rode American Pharoah in the FrontRunner, has the call.
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History and redemption are both on the line in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf being run Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park. Seeking to make history is last year's winner Dank, James Wigan's 5-year-old homebred daughter of Dansili, who is trying to become the second horse to capture two Filly & Mare Turf titles but the first to accomplish it in consecutive years. Ouija Board completed the feat in 2004 and 2006. Dank, who will be breaking from post 3 and is slight early morning favorite at 5-2, has been given a tall order considering she has only made two starts this year. She finished third March 29 in the Dubai Duty Free, then finished fifth in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot June 18. She came out of that race with a deeply bruised foot and has not made another start. Still trainer Sir Michael Stoute believes she is training well now and has such an affinity for firm turf that it is worth taking another shot in the Breeders' Cup.
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The Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) always brings the world into these World Championships. Annually, the $3 million stakes has attracted international stars to the United States for what in recent years is perceived as easy pickings of major purse money with an overseas vacation.
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It may sound like a jazz band, but the Chad Brown Quartet looks to make some sweet music in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park, which drew a full field of 14. Brown will send out four fillies, all of whom boast excellent credentials, headed by the undefeated Lady Eli, who demonstrated a monster turn of foot winning the Miss Grillo Stakes (gr. IIIT) by three widening lengths for Sheep Pond Partners. The daughter of Divine Park drew post 4 and will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.
In addition, Brown has the third- and fourth-place finishers of the Miss Grillo, Tammy the Torpedo and Partisan Politics, respectively, along with the European import Sivoliere, an Irish-bred daughter of Sea The Stars who is three-for five, including a third-place finish in the Longines Prix du Calvados (Fra-III) at Deauville.
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Following his game third-place effort in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), California Chrome will remain in training in 2015, co-owner and breeder Steve Coburn said Nov. 5.
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So far in his brief racing career, trotter Muscle Diamond’s strength has been his attitude. It’s a trait he might have inherited from his mom, former star Windylane Hanover. “He’s a lot like his mom,” trainer Brett Bittle said. “His mom wasn’t a big horse. Her biggest asset was her determination, and he’s kind of the same way. He’s always charging at the wire and giving us what he’s got. His attitude and his determination are his biggest assets.” Bittle trained Windylane Hanover throughout her career, which concluded in 2005 with 21 wins in 60 starts and $1.15 million in purses. She won the 2002 Hambletonian Oaks and received the 2003 Dan Patch Award for best older female trotter.
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For the second week in a row, a new horse is No. 1 in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll. Two-year-old female pacer JK She’salady moved into the top spot as last week’s No. 1, Father Patrick, slipped to third following his second-place finish to E L Titan in the Carl Erskine Trot. JK She’salady, who was idle last week, received 15 first-place votes to lead a group of five horses getting at least one first-place nod.
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Second round action of the Autumn Series got underway Monday night (Oct. 27) at Woodbine Racetrack and new faces found their way to the winner’s circle. A pair of $12,460 divisions for both the 2-year-old pacing and trotting fillies were contested. In the first division for pacers, Evas Girl and Jody Jamieson rebounded from a sixth place finish in the first leg to score a leg two victory in 1:53.3. A daughter of Rambaran-Czech With Eva, Evas Girl got away fourth and was sent first up around the final turn. In the stretch, Evas Girl powered to the lead and cruised to a 2-1/4 length victory. Little Miss Artist finished second, while Lady Hill took the show spot.
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The global horse community has long recognized the necessity of vaccinating against equine influenza (EI). However, immunization protocols are not universal: There is no recognized standard regarding intervals between EI vaccinations. In an effort to lay scientific groundwork for establishing an international norm, Virology Unit researchers at the Irish Equine Centre in Johnstown, Ireland, evaluated the efficacy of three vaccination schedules: the minimum duration between doses allowed by the Turf Club, Ireland’s Thoroughbred racing authority; the manufacturer’s recommended vaccination schedule; and the maximum permissible dosage intervals according to Irish racing rules. “Outbreaks of equine influenza can lead to the cancellation of equestrian events and cause severe disruption to the horse industry,” said Ann Cullinane, MVB, PhD, MRCVS, head of the Virology Unit. “Vaccination is crucial to the control of influenza, and decades of implementation of mandatory vaccination in selected populations has proved to be highly effective.
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Dead last heading into the final turn, Doubelieveinmagic unleashed a wide rally through the lane that carried her to victory in Monday's $15,000 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred Pace at The Meadows. Doubelieveinmagic trailed the leader, Novascotia Hanover, by seven lengths before she got rolling for Dave Palone. The 4-year-old daughter of Western Terror-Hawaiian Beachlady scored in a career-best 1:52, 1 1/4 lengths better than the first-over Do Me Honor. Novascotia Hanover saved show.
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The complexion of the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) certainly has changed in the six weeks leading up to the Oct. 31 race at Santa Anita Park, but if Close Hatches can return to her top form, the outcome of the race could end with the familiar sight of trainer Bill Mott entering the winner's circle. Mott, who has more Distaff wins than any other trainer, is looking for his sixth this year with Juddmonte Farms' Close Hatches. But to do so, he'll need the 4-year-old First Defence filly to bounce back from her only poor effort of the season. Close Hatches drew post 11 in a field of as many runners for the 1 1/8-mile Distaff and will have regular rider Joel Rosario in the irons. The Racing Hall of Fame trainer doesn't have an explanation for Close Hatches' fourth-place finish in the Spinster Stakes (gr. I) Oct. 5 atKeeneland, but he likes what he's seen since her four-race win streak—a stretch that included three grade I wins—ended.
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The Breeders' Cup Turf always brings the world into these World Championships. Annually, the $3 million stakes has attracted international stars to the United States for what in recent years is perceived as easy pickings of major purse money with an overseas vacation. Thirteen horses were entered in the 1-1/2-mile event Monday, Oct. 27, at Santa Anita Park, in what has become an American showcase for European raiders who have produced winners in 12 of the past 15 renewals. This year's edition drew another accomplished foreign contingent to the California sun including Flintshire, Telescope, Brown Panther, and defending BC Turf champion Magician .
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Several 2-year-old fillies with strong last-out efforts in graded stakes figure to grab the most attention in a field of 13 entered for the $2 million 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 1. Siena Farm's Angela Renee, a solid off-the-pace winner of the Chandelier Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Sept. 27, drew post 2 in the 1 1/16-mile race as the 3-1 morning-line choice. The projected speed types will start to her outside. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Angela Renee (by Bernardini ) won the Chandelier at the Juvenile Fillies distance. She will be ridden by John Velazquez, who was aboard for her maiden win at Saratoga Race Course.
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History and redemption are both on the line in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) being run Nov. 1 atSanta Anita Park. Seeking to make history is last year's winner Dank, James Wigan's 5-year-old homebred daughter of Dansili, who is trying to become the second horse to capture two Filly & Mare Turf titles but the first to accomplish it in consecutive years. Ouija Board completed the feat in 2004 and 2006. Dank, who will be breaking from post 3 and is slight early morning favorite at 5-2, has been given a tall order considering she has only made two starts this year. She finished third March 29 in the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I), then finished fifth in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot June 18. She came out of that race with a deeply bruised foot and has not made another start. Still trainer Sir Michael Stoute believes she is training well now and has such an affinity for firm turf that it is worth taking another shot in the Breeders' Cup.
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With two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan sidelined after dominating back-to-back editions of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), a slew of contenders entered the marquee turf event to be run Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park. Anodin, a full brother to the three-time Mile-winning mare Goldikova, to be ridden by Olivier Peslier, is included among European raiders led by elite miler Toronado, who won the Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-I) this spring. Freddy Head brought Anodin over for breeders Alain and Gerard Wertheimer and will depart post 9, while Richard Hannon conditions Toronado, who starts from the 5 hole under Richard Hughes for Al Shaqab Racing. Two-time group I winner Karakontie, group I winner Kingsbarns, and multiple group III victors Kiyoshi and Mustajeeb were among the foreign horses pre-entered, along with Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) winnerTrade Storm and group I-placed Veda.
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A winner of three straight races, Artemis Agrotera could nail down champion female sprinter honors if the New York-bred daughter of Roman Ruler can extend that victory streak in the $1 million Draft Kings Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) Nov. 1, at Santa Anita Park. A homebred for Chester and Mary Broman, 3-year-old Artemis Agrotera's win streak includes scores against older fillies and mares in the Gallant Bloom Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park and the Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course. She also won last year's Frizette Stakes (gr. I) before finishing fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I). Artemis Agrotera drew post 5 in a 10-horse field and will be ridden by Jose Ortiz for trainer Michael Hushion.
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