We’re still eight days out from Day 1 of the 2021 Breeders’ Cup and six pre-entry horses already scratched, a group led by Kentucky Turf Cup winner Imperador. He pulled out of the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf, one of five Thursday scratches from the Nov. 5-6 two-day racing festival […]
Tag: Japan
Consistent Casher Gufo Goes for Third Grade 1 Win in Joe Hirsch
There’s Gufo, who hasn’t missed the board in 12 career starts. There’s Japan, one of his rivals, who ships in from Europe for another crack at Gufo. And there’s Arklow and Channel Maker, who combined to win the last three editions of the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. It’s […]
Healthy, Wealthy Mishriff Returns as Eclipse Stakes Favorite
Boasting a healthier bankroll than he did opening the year, Mishriff returns from his post-Saudi Cup, post-Dubai respite on Saturday to headline a field of seven in the Group 1 Eclipse at Sandown Park in England. The top-ranked horse in the world, according to the Longines rankings, Mishriff comes into […]
No. 1-Ranked Ghaiyyath Retires, Won’t Run Breeders’ Cup
Ghaiyyath, the No. 1-ranked turf horse in the world, retired from racing Monday after his connections discovered muscle soreness in his legs after a routine workout. Godolphin, the international racing conglomerate that owns Ghaiyyath, announced the retirement in a statement. The sudden retirement means Ghaiyyath won’t run next month’s Breeders’ […]
Possibly Tainted Feed Scratches Four as Enable Seeks Third Arc Crown
Controversy rocked the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the eve of Europe’s richest race when standout trainer Aidan O’Brien withdrew his four remaining horses after all four failed drug tests. O’Brien pulled the four: Mogul (16/1), Serpentine (16/1), Japan (18/1) and Sovereign (100/1) after they tested positive for trace […]
Enable Running for History in King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
Horseplayers, your handicapping homework for Saturday’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is minimal. No need to crunch volumes of numbers, because trainers for the Ascot race crunched them for you. They crunched them down to four horses for the Group 1, 1 ½-mile race at Ascot. Despite its […]
Japan Rises at Royal Ascot’s Prince of Wales’ Stakes
Even with him remaining in Ireland, Aidan O’Brien remains ever-omnipresent over the Royal Ascot meet. And even with her remaining at Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II remains ever-hopeful she can add to her victory total at Europe’s richest racing meet. O’Brien, the most dominant trainer in Europe, sends 5/4 favorite […]