Dubai: Horses of interest on spectacular Fashion Friday card
The Thoroughbred equivalent of haute couture will line up on “Fashion Friday” at Meydan, with an all-stakes program featuring several superstars.
International
Kellie Reilly
Kellie Reilly is a journalist and turf writer specializing in international horse racing.
Pedigree notebook: Still more to come from Arrogate’s last crop
This Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup (G1) brings back memories of champion Arrogate, who blasted to a new track record in the 2017 edition at Gulfstream Park.
Horse
Horses to follow in 2025: Just a Touch
Just a Touch hasn’t been seen since last summer, but the runner-up to Sierra Leone in the 2024 Blue Grass (G1) brings plenty of upside into his four-year-old season.
Horse
Horses to follow in 2025: Raqiya
While Todd Pletcher has the likes of Fierceness, Locked, and Mindframe in his arsenal for 2025, the Hall of Fame trainer picked up a fascinating new turf recruit in Raqiya.
Horse
2024 in review: Travers Stakes left the biggest what-if
Imagine that the Travers (G1) post positions for Fierceness and Thorpedo Anna were reversed.
Analysis
Dubai: Three-year-olds to watch in UAE 2000 Guineas Trial
Potential UAE Derby (G2) prospects step out at Meydan on Friday in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, a connection emphasized by the Kentucky Derby (G1) appearing as the race’s sponsor.
International
2024 in review: 10 favorite horses
While the Eclipse Award champions of 2024 will get plenty of fanfare, I’d like to take a more subjective approach and highlight my own personal favorites over the past year.
International
Forever Young, two-time champ Ushba Tesoro clash in Tokyo Daishoten
Most recently third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Forever Young aims to remain unbeaten in his native Japan in Sunday’s Tokyo Daishoten (G1) at Oi. The about 1 1/4-mile feature is slated for 1:40 a.m. ET late Saturday into early Sunday morning.
International
Horses to follow in 2025: Senza Parole
Remember Senza Parole, the sensational debut winner at Saratoga who was sure to be the red-hot favorite in the Frizette (G1)?
Horse
First-crop sires: Kale’s Angel heralds promise for Complexity
Complexity has furnished several additional stakes performers since our last installment, chief among them Kale’s Angel, who starred in the Advent S. on opening day at Oaklawn Park.
Pedigree
May Day Ready meets Forever Young’s half-sister in Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
Best of the rest behind European star Lake Victoria in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), May Day Ready takes on Japan’s most promising prospects in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) late Saturday night at 1:40 a.m. ET.
International
Top picks, price plays for 2024 Hong Kong International Races
If it might not pay to get too creative with top picks for the Hong Kong International Races late Saturday night, there’s ample scope for the imagination in potential price plays and exotics longshots at Sha Tin.
International
2024 Hong Kong Vase: Trends and storylines
Unlike the other three Hong Kong International Races, the about 1 1/2-mile Hong Kong Vase (G1) remains a happy hunting ground for invaders. The trend is expected to continue in Sunday’s renewal at Sha Tin.
Hong Kong
2024 Hong Kong Sprint: Trends and storylines
Breeders’ Cup winner Starlust will attract the notice of North American racing fans, but the center of gravity in Sunday’s Hong Kong Sprint (G1) lies with the locals led by Ka Ying Rising.
International
2024 Hong Kong Mile: Trends and storylines
The retirement of Golden Sixty has created a golden opportunity for a new star to emerge in the Dec. 8 Hong Kong Mile (G1), but it’s less obvious to predict his successor at Sha Tin.
Hong Kong
2024 Hong Kong Cup: Trends and storylines
Two-time defending champion Romantic Warrior furnishes the leading storyline going into the Hong Kong Cup (G1) while illustrating recent trends in the Sha Tin feature.
Hong Kong
2024 Champions Cup: One-line assessments
Japan’s reigning champion dirt horse, Lemon Pop, will try to conclude his career on a high note as he defends his title in Saturday night’s Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo.
International
2024 Hong Kong International Races: Early look at the main players
A perennial highlight on the racing calendar, the Hong Kong International Races now offer an even greater incentive to bettors: the four Group 1s will be World Pool events at Sha Tin Dec. 8.
International
2024 Japan Cup: One-line assessments
Saturday night’s 44th running of the Japan Cup (G1) has attracted a terrific international cast of 14, including European celebrities Auguste Rodin and Goliath.
International
Horse Profile: Whistlejacket
As the only Group 1 winner in the field, with high speed that hasn’t quite lasted over stiffer tracks, Whistlejacket makes a lot of sense on the cutback at Del Mar.
Horse
Breeders’ Cup Sires: Into Mischief, Dubawi, More Than Ready in tie with Curlin
Hovering in the background of the 14 Breeders’ Cup events is another race of sorts – among sires, for the most wins at the championships.
Pedigree
Top five questions of 2024 Breeders’ Cup: A Classic for the ages?
Some questions are more compelling than others, given the historical stakes involved and the hopes of a spectacle that will live long in racing’s collective memory.
Breeders Cup
2024 Breeders’ Cup: Curlin among past champions with progeny at Del Mar
One of the most fascinating elements of Thoroughbred racing is the genetic heritage of past champions on display in current runners. A case in point is the number of Breeders’ Cup winners who are now sires of contenders throughout the two-day championships at Del Mar.
Pedigree
Five questions to be answered on 2024 Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Friday
The two-day Breeders’ Cup extravaganza opens with “Future Stars Friday,” featuring five Grade 1 races for two-year-olds.
Breeders Cup
Japan’s 19 contenders at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup
The 2024 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar attracted a record number of internationals, including 19 entrants from Japan alone.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Diego Velazquez
Before the Saratoga Derby (G1) fell victim to a weather postponement, Diego Velazquez was being mentioned as a possible candidate for Australia’s Cox Plate (G1).
Horse
Horse Profile: Ten Happy Rose
After a 207-1 shock in the “Win and You’re In” Victoria Mile (G1), Ten Happy Rose would be easy to discount.
Horse
Horse Profile: Porta Fortuna
Runner-up by a half-length in last year’s Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita, Porta Fortuna returns stateside with a glittering resume.
Horse
Horse Profile: Notable Speech
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby bids for an unprecedented fourth straight Mile trophy, relying this time on Notable Speech.
Horse
Horse Profile: Meta Max
Owned by Susumu Fujita, who sponsors the Sprint through his Cygames company, Meta Max is likely to be an anticlimax after Fujita’s Forever Young contests the Classic.
Horse