Picture: This good looking colt by former champion sire Gimmethegreenlight went for R3.8 million (Candiese Lenferna).

Wilgerbosdrift Gimmethegreenlight Colt Fetches R3.8 million

Today was the first day of the BSA August Sale at the TBA complex at Gosforth Park and watchers were enthralled by a bidding war that culminated in Lot 91 going for R3.8 million, which could well be a record for a two-year-old at a sale in SA.

The Wilgerbosdrift Stud-bred Gimmethegreenlight colt called Yes We Can is out of the Grade 3 Starling Stakes winner Sarasota. He is a half-brother to Listed-placed Hope Is Power (Soft Falling Rain), a Clinton Binda-trained Soft Falling Rain gelding who won by 3,75 lengths on debut and has won once since. He is also half-brother to another fair Soft Falling Rain two-time winner called Florida Keys.

He was knocked down to Form Bloodstock.

Wilgerbosdrift also sold a What A Winter colt out of Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic winner Orchid Island (What A Winter) for R550,000 as well as a Fire Away colt out of twice-winning Fort Wood mare Pumpkin Queen for R500,000.

Vercingetorix’s progeny are hard to come by and this was proven today.

Vercingetorix had by time of publishing had seven go through the ring and one of them went for the early highest price of R650,000 and the other three went for R550,000, R480,000, R450,000, R280,000, R200,000 and R120,000 respectively.

Lot 33, a Millstream Farm-bred Vercingetorix filly out of Jet Master mare Mystery Dame, fetched R650,000. Mystery Dame was a five time-winner, who finished runner up and third in two renewals of the Final Fling Stakes (1600m) and finished third in the Listed Ladies Mile. She has already enjoyed a fine career at stud, producing the Grade 1 winner and Equus champion two-year-old filly Lady In Black (Dynasty) as well as the Grade 2 winner Nexus (Dynasty).

She was knocked down to “Bushfellows”.

Millstream also sold a well related Danon Platina filly for R720,000 to Suzette Viljoen, the second highest-priced lot of the sale.

Millstream Farm had earlier been acting as agent for Gary Player when lot 92, a Gimmethegreenlight filly who is a full-sister to six time-winning Grade 2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Green Plains, went for R600,000 knocked down to Varsfontein Stud.

Lot 41 was a Vercingetorix colt out of Western Winter mare One Her Toes, who won a Grade 1 (1200m), Grade 2 (1600m) and Grade 3 (1200m), and he went for R550,000 to Form Bloodstock.

Narrow Creek Stud deservedly fetched half-a-million for one of their draft. Lot 29 was a Rafeef colt out of a three time-winning Silvano mare who is a half-sister to Magico and he was kmocked down to Team G Racing for R500,000.

Varsfontein sold a Gimmethegreenlight filly out of the Grade 3 winner and twice Grade 1 runner up Star Express (Silvano) for R540,000 to Kestform Investments.

Picture: Dave The King has won both of his starts easily over 1200m (Wayne Marks).

Dave The King Has An Exciting Season Ahead

Christopher Santos, representing Lindsay Ralphs and family, spoke about the ownership partnership (Ralphs Racing, Gary Player and Larry Nestadt) of the exciting Vaughan Marshall-trained Dave The King as well as the Gobal View colt’s options for the season.

CLICK TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE

Hollywoodbets Scottsville

Hollywoodbets Scottsville Saturday Formguides And Selections

www.attheraces.com

1 12:35 – Tabgold – The Intelligent Bet! Maiden Plate

The form of STANLEY PARK’s penultimate start is working out very well and so it was disappointing to see him run out the money over this same track and trip last time. However, this race doesn’t look all that strong (barring firtimers) and he could have his own way this time. SMITH AND WESSON came back to form last time. He ran some decent races in the Cape earlier and could be on the right track again. ARBITRATOR showed good pace and only weakened late in what looked a decent race last time. He can feature prominently. PARIS PIKE seems capable of better. First-timers to watch.

Top Tip: ROCK N ROLL GIRL (1)

Watch out for: SMITH AND WESSON (3)

2 13:10 – Open A Tabgold Account – 031 314 1874 Maiden Plate

Trainer Sean Tarry is expecting a good run from ASIYE PHAMBILI and being a well-bred daughter of Western Winter she could be the one to be with. Mike Miller is also expecting a good run from his first-timer PALM BREEZE – the betting could be the best guide in this race. But FINE DESIGN must be respected after a promising debut where she was beaten (due to inexperience) by only 0.60 lengths. ROYAL OASIS like FINE DESIGN had CINNAMON BLUSH behind her last time. She is holding form over the distance and should be in the firing line. TRIPTOROYALTY seems capable of better.

Top Tip: ASIYE PHAMBILI (2)

Watch out for: PALM BREEZE (3)

3 13:50 – Call Telebet Track & Ball Fixed Odds On 031 314 1155 Maiden Plate

CLASSICAL CHORD made good improvement second time out and could be even better this time. It could be the right type of race for her. But the trainer comment on stablemate FORTUNE BAY is quite positive and she could be the one to follow. BELLA BANDIERA has run well on poly and turf. She will need to find more for the win but has drawn well and should have every chance. CAMIKA, TWO MINDS and COLUMBIA ROAD all seem capable of better and need to be considered. CAMIKA needed her last run while TWO MINDS may not have liked the poly on debut. COLUMBIA ROAD was supported on debut.

Top Tip: BELLA BANDIERA (1)

Watch out for: CAMIKA (2)

4 14:25 – Top-Up Your Account With The Tabgold App Maiden Plate

There are a few up-and-coming individuals in this race. Well-bred OVER AND ICE made good improvement last time and having drawn well could have the race to himself. ZOOBERI wasn’t disgraced from a wide draw last time and has now secured a good gate as well. He is entitled to do a lot better but blinkers have been fitted so he needs to be taken seriously. MONEY HEIST was eye catching on debut but along with JOHNNY’S HOPE, who showed good potential in his second start, have work to do to overcome bad draws. VENERABLE wasn’t disgrace last time and has blinkers on – respect.

Top Tip: OVER AND ICE (2)

Watch out for: ZOOBERI (3)

5 15:00 – Online Form Guide www.gallop.co.za Fm 76 Handicap

Competitive fillies and mares handicap. ACACIA’S BLOSSOM enjoyed the longer trip, winning her third start in good style. She has a tougher task on handicap debut but is open to improvement and has drawn well. Fellow three-year-old MYSTERIOUS GIRL didn’t show when tried in a Listed feature but had excuses and has drawn best. But she may just need it after a break. SHAPE OF YOU was denied by a nose last time and will be out to make amends. The track and trip could be just what she needs. MEL’S PRINCESS turned in a courageous run in her penultimate at this track, so include.

Top Tip: MYSTERIOUS GIRL (1)

Watch out for: ACACIA’S BLOSSOM (2)

6 15:35 – Gold Circle Racing YouTube Channel Mr 68 Handicap

Eight-year-old THE BAYOU repeated one of his earlier performances with a ‘come from last’ win and is back to his best. He looks well placed to follow up as he enjoys this longer trip as well. However, RICCARDO, who tried hard to outdo him, is better off at the weights and could turn it around if he handles the distance. MASTER TOBE won a nice race at this track in his penultimate and confirmed with a decent run on the poly. He has pole position and could have the run of the race. SENOR GARCIA was just touched off in his last race and needs to be respected along with FEVER who is improving.

Top Tip: MASTER TOBE (1)

Watch out for: SENOR GARCIA (3)

7 16:05 – www.tabgold.co.za Mr 104 Handicap

Strong sprinters so should be a thriller. MARDI GRAS showed something like his best form when second to a horse on the upgrade who carried a lot less. The form has been franked with both Party Time and Sashay Away coming out to run crackers. AQUA BOLT has won two of his last three. His turn of foot is impressive and he is not one to take lightly. On a line through After The Rain, COIN SPINNER, should give AQUA BOLT a hard time. He was not disgraced in the Grade 2 Post Merchants and should give a very good account of himself. CAPTAIN FONTANE and GALLIC CHIEF must be respected.

Top Tip: GALLIC CHIEF (1)

Watch out for: COIN SPINNER (2)

8 16:40 – Hollywoodbets Bright Future Mr 70 Handicap

The two three-year-olds, SLIM JANNIE and RULERSHIP, are interesting runners. The former won his maiden comfortably and should be on the up. The latter wasn’t disgraced in his handicap debut where he got going too late on the poly first time out. But hard-knocking older runners should make it difficult. PHILISPIEL impressed in his penultimate which was over this distance. He could come out firing again. SIR POM suddenly showed form last time but is not the most reliable it seems. TRAFALGAR SQUARE deserves respect after he won a nice race back over this trip last time.

Top Tip: SLIM JANNIE (3)

Watch out for: BLUE EYES (5)

Three-time Grade 2-winner Epicenter (Not This Time), who was also runner up in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness (ESPN).

Nicholas Godfrey on the Travers Stakes

5 Grade 1 Blockbuster Card At Saratoga On Saturday Night (Watch Live on Channel 240)

Nicholas Godfrey of attheraces.com examines the $1.25m highlight of a blockbuster programme at Saratoga on Saturday.

Saratoga’s ‘midsummer derby’, the Travers Stakes, is often considered an unofficial fourth leg to the Triple Crown – and ahead of this Saturday’s £$1.25 million renewal, live on Sky Sports Racing, the US Classic generation could certainly do with Saturday’s feature providing a bit of clarity.

First things first: this is a potentially thrilling eight-runner event, featuring four Grade 1 scorers, among them the winners of both the Kentucky Derby (Rich Strike) and Preakness Stakes (Early Voting). Belmont Stakes winner Mo Donegal would presumably also be involved, if he hadn’t been sidelined with a spot of bone bruising.

Watch the Runhappy Travers Stakes from live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 535) on Saturday 27th August.

So far, so good. The issue is that the three-year-old division is all over the place – to the extent that the generational leader as it stands may be that wonderful filly Nest, who has beaten Kentucky Oaks winner Sacred Oath twice at Saratoga in recent weeks after her game runner-up effort against the boys in the Belmont.

Indeed, such is the relative lack of lustre among the Triple Crown types that Nest is one of only two three-year-olds to feature in this week’s latest update of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s (NTRA) Top Ten Thoroughbred Poll. In effect, this amounts to a regular weekly ballot of Eclipse Award voters who list their top horses on a points basis; a sort of running ‘Horse of the Year’ ballot.

Normally, given the pre-eminence of the Triple Crown, you would expect the list to be flush with three-year-olds. Not this time: Nest is number four, behind leading older horses Life Is Good, Flightline and Jackie’s Warrior (who also runs elsewhere on Saturday’s blockbuster programme).

Number five in the NTRA poll is likely Travers favourite Epicenter – which seems as good a place as any for a quick jog-trot through Saturday’s line-up which, despite previous observations, looks pretty darned hot!

And yes, they are in order of preference, before you ask.

EPICENTER

Steve Asmussen/Joel Rosario (post 6)

Has to be regarded as pro tem top dog among three-year-old males, but the absence of a Grade 1 win in his CV is a negative. That said, never runs a bad race, and was second in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, looking especially unlucky as market leader in the former where he fought off a dogged Zandon before getting chinned by rank outsider Rich Strike. Beat Zandon again in the G2 Jim Dandy, the main Saratoga trial for this, coming from last of four. Only horse in the field with more than one triple-digit Beyer, and now has a proper chance to stamp authority on this muddled division. Expect him to track Early Voting and Cyberknife and pounce in stretch.

Steve Asmussen says: “He’s arguably the best three-year-old in the division despite not having a Grade 1 win that he needs. We’ve all witnessed his Classic defeats with our mouths agape. But watching that happen in the Derby and the Preakness, we realise how fortunate we have to be. It looks like an incredible field, and I imagine all eyes will be on him on the grandstand and the racetrack.”

ARTORIUS

Chad Brown/Irad Ortiz (post 5)

One of three to represent trainer who is runaway leader of Saratoga meet standings, this is a Juddmonte homebred whose career record coming in bears more than a passing resemblance to that orgainsation’s world champion Arrogate, who broke through to the top level with such a spectacular triumph here in 2016. With only three runs in his life, this one arrives with similar lack of seasoning, but he was hugely impressive on two-turn debut in the Listed Curlin Stakes last month over a furlong shorter, easily beating Travers rival Gilded Age. Bred in the purple, dam is multilple G1 winner Paulassilverlining. Exciting; could easily upset the applecart.

Chad Brown says: “The horse brought himself here since we got him to his debut at Keeneland. Moving forward, he’s always worked right on schedule, and he’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do,” Brown added. “He’s been stretching out nicely and his first two-turn race was impressive, his best race. I have a lot of optimism that horse will be able to carry another eighth of a mile.”

EARLY VOTING

Chad Brown/Jose Ortiz (post 7)

Forward-going type justified decision to bypass Kentucky Derby by beating Epicenter in Preakness Stakes and owns best Beyer speed figure (105) in the Travers. Also beaten by only subsequent Belmont winner Mo Donegal in Wood Memorial. Races spaced out and still looks pretty green, and while it was disappointing to see him weaken to last of four in the Jim Dandy, he had been away for three months and that was a prep race. While the Preakness played well for prominent runners, he doesn’t face any real need-the-lead speed rivals here so could get a really favourable set-up.

Chad Brown says: “It seemed like he was on a deep, tiring rail [in the Jim Dandy] and I probably didn’t have the horse fit enough either. He is working better now, or I wouldn’t run him. I had the option not to run him from the owner. In fact, it appeared after the Jim Dandy that we weren’t going to run him. The horse brought himself into the race the way he worked and trained.”

ZANDON

Chad Brown/Flavien Prat (post 8)

Blue Grass winner has always been highly rated, and a game third in Kentucky Derby, having been produced from mid-division to challenge in the stretch. Mind you, had every chance to better Epicenter there and couldn’t do it, suggesting this mile and a quarter is far enough; still, decent second again to Epicenter after three-month layoff in Jim Dandy, and clearly not far behind that one. Chad Brown, who also runs Early Voting and Artorius, might have a few domestic travails at present but he’s hard to beat at this venue. One of several likely to come from off the pace. Outside post.

Chad Brown says: “He’s going to have to save some ground into the first turn – he might be in a race that lacks pace, which goes against him. Zandon will have to find a way to turn the tables on Epicenter. He’s had dead aim on him twice now and couldn’t get by him. Now he has to do it going a mile and a quarter, so he has his work cut out for him.”

CYBERKNIFE

Brad Cox/Florent Geroux (post 1)

Owner Al Gold named son of Gun Runner after a treatment for prostate cancer using what is described as “one-of-a-kind robotic technology”, whatever that is. Either way, it clearly worked for Mr Gold, and they’ve got plenty of advertising via the horse, who is the sole dual G1 winner in the race, having last month added the $1m Haskell to his Arkansas Derby victory (beat subsequent Kentucky Oaks winner Sacred Oath). Stayed on strongly on rail at Monmouth Park in track-record time, suggesting this extra distance will be right up his alley. One serious blot on chestnut’s copybook came when a dull 18th in Kentucky Derby, though he paid the price for chasing a stupid pace, and won next time at same venue. Haskell form is strong – G1 winners Taiba and Jack Christopher were second and third. Brad Cox won this last year with Essential Quality.

Brad Cox says: “We’ve had luck shipping in here. With his situation, having run at Monmouth, the owner being a local Saratoga guy, I thought it made the most sense for him to come up here. He’s had three works over the track – he looks fantastic, so we’re set up.”

RICH STRIKE

Eric Reed/Sonny Leon (post 2)

You’ll have deduced from this lowly ranking that I don’t trust the Kentucky Derby form. Though that 80-1 shocker was a fairytale result was for little-known connections, the race absolutely fell apart after a couple of overseas riders who should’ve known better treated the first half of the race like the July Cup, and this unheralded colt got a dream run through. Trainer took the less-than-romantic decision to skip the Preakness because they felt the Belmont was his ideal spot. He was sixth of eight, never landing a blow (admittedly, raced a touch keen). Surely won’t get his preferred set-up here. Hard to fancy – surely Kentucky was a fluke? – though frankly I’d be delighted to end up with egg on face. Street Sense in 2007 was most recent to complete Kentucky Derby/Travers Stakes double.

Eric Reed says: “We just have to get a trip and see if he can do what he did all year and that’s finish strong. His running style makes him hard to pick no matter what. He can be in a Grade 3 somewhere and have a hard time getting by the horses unless he decides to show some speed one of these days out of the gate. He’s got all the speed in the world, but for whatever reason he wants to spot these horses.” (speaking to Daily Racing Form)

GILDED AGE

Bill Mott/Junior Alvarado (post 4)

Yet to win a stakes, and thus hard to fancy in this sort of company. Promising enough in late-running second to Travers rival Artorius last time but hard to see royally-bred son of Medaglia d’Oro turning the tables. Dead-late closer should like distance but will he get the pace he needs to run at? Unlikely winner.

AINT LIFE GRAND

Kelly von Hemel/Tyler Gaffalione (post 3)

Iowa-bred won Iowa Derby; longshot status looks accurate. Has won five out of eight at Prairie Meadows but it’s a long way from Altoona to Saratoga. Would appreciate a big pace tear-up but probably won’t get it. Victory would be shock to rival those for which the ‘Graveyard of Champions’ is notorious.

Kelly von Hemel says: “He’s settled in really well. He’s trained well over the track, he’s keeping his weight good, his energy level is really good. We don’t know what quality, but he is a mile-and-an-eighth, mile-and-a-quarter horse for sure.”

Bob Baffert (Equisport Photos).

Easy To Understand Article On The Baffert Appeal Case

Baffert/KHRC Appeal Day 4: Ointment or Injection?

TDN

The debate over whether or not Medina Spirit’s 2021 GI Kentucky Derby disqualification for betamethasone was the result of an injection or the application of an ointment was a focal point in the fourth day of testimony at Bob Baffert’s appeal before a Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) hearing officer in Frankfort, Kentucky, on Thursday.

That argument has percolated for the better part of 16 months in various hearing and courtroom settings. It is now being brought up again in front of the KHRC hearing officer to adjudicate the Hall-of-Fame trainer’s attempt to expunge from his record a 90-day suspension (that Baffert has already served) for the infraction. The appeal also seeks to reverse the KHRC’s disqualification of Medina Spirit from the Derby.

Back in December, Baffert’s legal team stated that third-party testing on the colt’s urine “definitively confirmed” and had “scientifically proven” that the type of betamethasone that showed up in Medina Spirit’s post-race positive test is the type that comes from a topical ointment and not via an intra-articular injection.

The distinction is important because Baffert believes the proper resolution of the betamethasone overage hinges on how it was administered to Medina Spirit. He has claimed Kentucky’s medication rules only apply to the injectable form of that drug.

But the KHRC has maintained that a positive finding is a positive finding, and that it doesn’t matter how the Class C medication entered Medina Spirit’s system.

Baffert has claimed that Medina Spirit was treated with the betamethasone-containing ointment Otomax as late as Apr. 30 (the day before his Derby win) to help deal with a skin lesion, and he has denied that the colt’s joints were ever treated with the injectable form of that drug.

Ron Flatter of Horse Racing Nation (HRN) provided key points of Thursday’s proceedings. His reporting is summarized below by TDN.

Flatter wrote that Jennifer Wolsing, the KHRC’s general counsel, said she had two depositions to back up her contention that Medina Spirit could have been injected with betamethasone.

Dr. Scott Stanley, the director of the equine testing laboratory at the University of Kentucky, testified as a witness for the KHRC.

According to HRN, Stanley was questioned about the third-party testing by Dr. George Maylin, director of the New York State Equine Drug Testing lab. Last summer, Baffert’s attorneys got a court order to allow outside testing on the Medina Spirit samples.

Flatter wrote that “Maylin concluded last fall that the medication ‘resulted from the topical administration of Otomax and not an injection of betamethasone.’”

Testifying eight months later on Aug. 25, Stanley criticized the process by which Maylin tested the Medina Spirit urine sample and offered technical reasons why it was flawed, HRN reported.

“I don’t agree with…Dr. Maylin’s conclusion that says the data definitively shows the topical administration of betamethasone…. I don’t believe that the data definitely concludes that,” HRN quoted Stanley as testifying.

Yet under cross-examination by the Baffert side, Stanley also said, “I do not have any evidence that Medina Spirit was injected with any product,” HRN reported.

Dr. Mary Scollay, the current executive director of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (and previously the KHRC’s equine medical director), testified at the request of the KHRC.

HRN reported that Scollay said there was no record of a diagnosis when Baffert’s veterinarian, Dr. Vince Baker, recommended that Otomax to be applied to Medina Spirit in April 2021. Nor was there any record provided on dosage and frequency.

“Otomax is FDA-approved for use in dogs,” Scollay said, according to HRN. “I would hesitate to describe Medina Spirit as a dog. That would be most unfair.”

Flatter wrote that, “Under cross-examination, Brewster attacked Scollay’s credentials for lacking backside experience, saying that Baker has had a great deal of experience in stable work. And he recounted when, in a deposition, Scollay said anyone wanting more expertise on Otomax should ask a veterinarian who works on the backside.”

After a scheduled weekday off on Friday, the hearing resumes on Monday, with Tuesday the agreed-upon date both parties are targeting for finishing the proceedings.

(See coverage of previous days here, here, and here.)

Hearing officers hired by racing commissions typically take months to issue a written report and recommended findings.

Vanderbilt has as good a temperament as his famous half-sister Summer Pudding and receives a deserving kiss from owner Suzette Viljoen. (JC Photos).

Vanderbilt Makes It Five-In-A-Row And Is Not Stopping Here

The Suzette Viljoen-owned Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred Vanderbilt (What A Winter) has been a transformed horse since relocating to Paul Peter’s yard on the Highveld.

He was sent from Gqeberha, so has done the reverse of the usual move for a battling horse.

This makes the feat by the Peter yard all the more remarkable.

This big gelding has developed into an effective front-runner, who dictates and then winds up into his big stride when challenged.

He then slowly draws away from the opposition.

He did it again at Turffontein Inside yesterday in a MR 90 Handicap over 1600m to win by 4,25 lengths.

He did have the advantage of Rachel Venniker’s 1,5kg claim.

However, he was running off an 89 merit rating having arrived in Gauteng as a maiden who was rated 65.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE REPLAY OF YESTERDAY’S WIN

Peter said this 600kg odd gelding was so big he had “just needed time.”

He is in fact a half-brother to the Peter-trained Horse Of The Year Summer Pudding.

He was represented only by champions yesterday: the current champion trainer, the current champion apprentice, the former champion owner and the current champion breeder.

Peter did not know yet where they would go with the gelding and mentioned the handicapper’s view being a determining factor.

The handicapper in fact raised him nine points, one more than the guideline which recommends a maximum eight point raise for a handicap win.

Allan Greeff (Pauline Herman Photography)

Greeff Four-timer, Khumalo Treble, Miller/Yeni Double

Alan Greeff had a four-timer on the Fairview poly today and three of them were ridden by S’Manga Khumalo. The other one was ridden by Richard Fourie in his first meeting of the season.

Greeff is now on 14 winners for the season at 19.44% and is 7 clear of arch rival Gavin Smith.

Khumalo is now second on the national log on 16 winners, one behind Kabelo Matsunyane, and he has done it at 22.54%.

Later, Cliffie Miller and Muzi Yeni combined for a double.

Those were Miller’s first two winners of the season.

Yeni was having his first meeting back from suspension and has gone to 13 winners for the season at a strike rate of 26%.