The British Horseracing Authority have released the information regarding their investigation into the horses in the care of Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni, with last year's G1 St Leger hero Encke (Kingmambo) among seven further to test positive for anabolic steroids. After the testing that followed the announcement of his eight-year suspension, Al Zarooni was found to have administered the banned substance stanozolol to the Classic winner and also Pattern-race performers Genius Beast (Kingmambo), Steeler (Ire) (Raven's Pass), Energizer (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) and Zip Top (Ire) (Smart Strike), who will all now be barred from racing until Oct. 29. The ruling body also stated that despite the findings, Encke had not tested positive for any prohibited substances in his post-race test after the Doncaster Classic. The BHA also announced that testing at the other Godolphin yard of Saeed bin Suroor returned no positive results for banned substances. Paul Bittar, chief executive of th BHA, said, "These test results endorse the swift action and measures taken by the BHA in this matter. Whatever the outcome of his appeal before the independent Appeal Board, the gravity and scale of the infringements warranted Mahmood Al Zarooni being removed from control of the yard as quickly as possible. We welcome the news that Saeed bin Suroor's horses tested negative and this clears the way for him to now take charge of Moulton Paddocks."

Trainer Nick Zito was busy during Monday’s opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale, buying four juveniles on behalf of Joe Moss. Leading the way was a colt by Unbridled’s Song purchased for a session-topping $330,000 from the De Meric Sales consignment. Moss, a former pilot and financial advisor, is from Austin, Texas. He has been a client of Zito’s for a few years now, but is looking to get more involved in the sport, according to the trainer.

"He’s a great gentleman," Zito said of Moss. "He and his wife Nena are special people and they love horses. He’s been a fan of the game for a long, long time and the last couple of years, he’s gotten involved. He is a historian of pedigrees and he’s looking to get more involved. They are terrific people. Now we’ve got to get some luck. We’ve won some races for them, but now we’re trying to get some horses that will at least run in some decent races. This is the kind you look for."

The juvenile (hip 128) is out of the unraced Winning Bet (Dixie Union), who is a daughter of Grade I winner Fantastic Find (Mr. Prospector) and a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Finder’s Fee (Storm Cat). The bay colt was purchased by Nick de Meric for $250,000 out of last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. He worked a furlong last week in :10 3/5. As De Meric congratulated Zito on the purchase, he assured him, "You’ll have a lot of fun with him." Zito admitted the Florida horseman was one of the colt’s major selling points.

"He looked like he had some good handlers," Zito said. "Nick de Meric does a good job and I always look at that--who has the horse. Hopefully, he’ll be a 2-year-old." Zito put off signing the ticket on the Unbridled’s Song colt as he bid on the very next lot. He was able to secure hip 129 for $130,000. The colt is by Malibu Moon out of graded stakes placed Wishful Splendor (Smart Strike).

"I trained the mother and that is the family of [Zito’s GI Belmont S. winner] Da’Tara, so we’re trying that again."
The chestnut colt was consigned by Cary Frommer, agent, and was purchased for $180,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale before RNA’ing for $285,000 at Fasig’s Florida sale in March. Also for Moss, Zito purchased hip 45, a colt by Street Boss, for $92,000, and hip 104, a son of Spring at Last, for $30,000.

"I think we’re done for today, but we’ll try again tomorrow," Zito said after signing his fourth ticket of the day. Of Moss, he concluded, "The game is really lucky now to have him."

 

 

Kenny Noe, Jr., former New York Racing Association president, CEO, and chairman, died Sunday night after a long illness. He was 84. A Hamilton, Ohio native, Noe worked as a racing secretary and steward at NYRA in the 1970s before serving as Calder Race Course’s president and general manager from 1979 to 1990. He left another post at Calder to become NYRA’s president and general manager in 1994 at a time in which the association was involved in a struggle with New York Governor Mario Cuomo over the State’s racing structure and revenue distribution. Noe was elevated to chairman of the NYRA board of trustees in 1995 and was named chairman and CEO in 1996. He resigned from his post at NYRA in October of 2000. Noe, who hailed from a racing family, worked in various positions at more than a dozen tracks during his career, including Hialeah, Garden State Park, Arlington Park and Washington Park. He also previously served as a director at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Thoroughbred Racing Associations, Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau and the Miami Heart Institute. He is survived by son Jeff, Gulfstream Park’s racing secretary, and daughter Holly. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

PRIX DE PONTARME-Listed, €55,000, Saint-Cloud, 5-20, 3yo, c/g, 1mT, 1:47.95, hy.
1--MUTIN (FR), 123, c, 3, by Kentucky Dynamite
1st Dam: Mytographie (Fr) (SW-Fr), by Anabaa
2nd Dam: Mythologie (Fr), by Bering (GB)
3rd Dam: Mondovision (Fr), by Luthier (Fr)
(€15,000 RNA yrl ‘11 ARQAUG; €700,000 HIT ‘12 ARQARC). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Haras du Quesnay; T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Christophe Soumillon; €27,500. Lifetime Record: 4 starts, 4 wins, €71,000.
2--San Marino Grey (Fr), 123, c, 3, Clodovil (Ire)--Montagne Magique (Ire), by King’s Best. (€45,000 yrl ‘11 ARQOCT). O-Baron van Gysel; B-Petra Bloodstock Agency Ltd; T-Andre Fabre; €11,000.
3--Linngaro (Fr), 123, c, 3, Linngari (Ire)--Indochine (Brz), by Special Nash (Ire). (€17,000 RNA yrl ‘11 ARQOCT). O-Plersch Breeding SARL; B-Rupert Plersch; T-Mario Hofer; €8,250.
Margins: HD, SHD, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.50, 4.90, 17.00.
Also Ran: Onedargent (Fr), Kapstadt (Fr), Penglai Pavilion, Nabucco (Ger), Tabaayun (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post result. Click for Equidia VIDEO.
   Purchased by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the Arqana Arc Sale in October for €700,000, Mutin went a short way towards justifying that tag when continuing his winning sequence in this first try at black-type company in workmanlike fashion. Last seen winning a course-and-distance conditions event at the end of March, the bay was keen early trapped out wide in third as his barn mate Tabaayun (Ire) (Nayef) set the required tempo. Moving smoothly to the lead with 500 meters remaining, an easy success seemed on the cards at first but after he was shaken up a furlong later he had to work hard to hold off Linngaro and the line came in time as San Marino Grey finished strongly to grab second.

Military Attack

© Liesl King

Saturday's GI Preakness S. hero Oxbow (Awesome Again) is confirmed for the GI Belmont S. June 8, according to trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Find out what other contenders will met him in New York...The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale kicks off today and we have the hip happenings and sales coverage to keep you informed...Liesl King reports on the elaborate celebrations and excellent racing from Kranji's International Racing Festival. All that and more in today's TDN.

Military Attack

© turfclub.com.sg

MOORE LAUNCHES SINGAPORE ATTACK
   For all that he has achieved in his many years at the track, the one glaring omission for trainer John Moore was the lack of a Group 1 on foreign soil. Not only was he able to cross that off his bucket list with Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire})’s emphatic score in the SAI Cup, but he also saddled G1 Champions Mile hero Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal) to an outstanding runner-up effort. "I’ve finally got the icing on the cake! I’ve been trying to win this race for years and I’ve finally done it," said the 63-year-old, nearing compulsory retirement in Hong Kong and who saddled the two most recent runners-up in this event Irian (Ger) (Tertullian) in 2011 and Zaidan (Street Cry {Ire}) last year. Formerly trained in Europe as Rave, Military Attack has really come to hand this year, with a breakthrough win in the January Cup at Happy Valley and a defeat of two-time G1 Hong Kong Cup hero California Memory (Highest Honor {Fr}) in the Hong Kong Gold Cup the following month. After proving narrowly best under top weight of 133 pounds in the Premier Plate H. Mar. 24, he completed his ascent to the top with a 10-1 upset in the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup Apr. 28. While winners of that event like Presvis (GB) (Sakhee) have pressed on to this, Military Attack was looking to become the first to complete the double and did so with complete authority. Neatly drawn here in four, the 5-year-old was close up early, but then eased back to a share of fifth, three back on the fence. Flax (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}) led into the backstretch, but was soon confronted by favored Pastorius (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), last-out winner of the G1 Prix Ganay, who circled rivals and went forward to apply some pressure. Dan Excel was also never far away, but Military Attack was always traveling for Zac Purton, and as they approached the stretch, it was really just a question of when and where the running room would materialize. The seas parted, and, as has become his trademark, he exploded away from his rivals and was very much in hand in the final 50 yards. Dan Excel held for second from Mawingo (Ger) (Tertullian), while Pastorius finished ahead of only Flax. And there may be bigger and better ahead for the winner. "I would now love to send him to the G1 Cox Plate [2040m] in October in Australia," said Moore. "I know it’s tough with the two weeks [quarantine] at Werribee, but he has shown he could travel. And the Cox Plate would be nice as I would love nothing more than to win a group race in my own country." The other disappointment of the race was Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), who was well back early and could do no better than eighth.

Sunday, Kranji, Singapore
SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CUP-G1, S$3,000,000 (US$2,382,465), Kranji, 5-19, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:59.58, gd.
1--MILITARY ATTACK (IRE), 126, g, 5, by Oratorio (Ire)
1st Dam: Almaaseh (Ire), by Dancing Brave
2nd Dam: Al Bahathri, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
3rd Dam: Chain Store, by Nodouble
(€40,000 yrl ‘09 GOFMIL). O-Mr & Mrs Steven Lo Kit Sing; B-P E Banahan; T-John Moore; J-Zac Purton; S$1,710,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-HK, 22-10-3-1. *1/2 to Almaty (Ire) (Dancing Dissident), Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 5-7f, GSW-Eng & Ire, $172,077. **Formerly Rave (Ire). Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2--Dan Excel (Ire), 126, g, 5, Shamardal--Love Excelling (Fr), by Polish Precedent. (48,000gns RNA yrl ‘09 TATOCT). O-David Philip Boehm; B-John Connaughton; T-John Moore; S$607,500.
3--Mawingo (Ger), 126, h, 5, Tertullian--Montfleur (GB), by Sadler’s Wells. O-Australian Bloodstock Stable; B-Gestut Schlenderhan; T-Michael Freedman; S$307,500.
Margins: 3 1/4, HD, 3/4. Odds: 2.40, 18.60, 26.00.
Also Ran: Lizarre (SAf), Mull of Killough (Ire), Hunter’s Light (Ire), Better Life (Aus), Red Cadeaux (GB), Meandre (Fr), Deep Pockets (NZ), Ready to Strike (NZ), Pastorius (Ger), Flax (SAf).
Click for the Singapore Turf Club chart or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.

Sunday, Kranji, Singapore
KRISFLYER INTERNATIONAL SPRINT-G1, S$1,000,000 (US$794,155), Kranji, 5-19, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.71, gd.
1--LUCKY NINE (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Dubawi (Ire)
        1st Dam: Birjand (GB), by Green Desert
        2nd Dam: Belle Genius, by Beau Genius
        3rd Dam: Time and Tide, by Mr. Leader
(€9,000 yrl ‘08 TATIRE). O-Dr Chang Fuk To & Maria Chang Lee Ming Shum; B-Darley; T-Caspar Fownes; J-Brett Prebble; S$570,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-HK, G1SP-UAE, GSP-Jpn, 34-11-7-5. *1/2 to Sudden Storm (Jpn) (Storming Home {GB}), MGSP-Jpn, $1,045,436; and Teehaff (Jpn) (Storming Home {GB}), SW & GSP-Jpn, $741,697. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. 
2--Bel Sprinter (Aus), 126, g, 5, Bel Esprit (Aus)-- Gavroche (Aus), by Snippets (Aus). O-Y Warren, M Brown et al; B-G E Bailey; T-Jason Warren; S$202,500.
3--Super Easy (NZ), 126, c, 4, Darci Brahma (NZ)-- Parfore (NZ), by Gold Brose (Aus). (NZ$140,000 yrl ‘10 NZBPRE). O-Joy N Happiness Stable; B-M J Ryan; T-Michael Freedman; S$102,500.
Margins: 3, NK, NO. Odds: 4.40, 3.80, 2.20.
Also Ran: Balmont Mast (Ire), Kavanagh (SAf), Speedy Cat (NZ), Goal Keeper (Aus), Mr Big (Aus), Dux Scholar (GB), Dasher Go Go (Jpn), Emerald Hill.
Click for the Singapore Turf Club chart or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
   In three previous trips to Japan and one to Dubai, Lucky Nine hadn’t met with the greatest fortune, each time encountering trouble to dash his chances. The 2011 G1 Hong Kong Sprint hero finally got that monkey off his back with a dominating victory to get the night off on a high note for Hong Kong. Fifth in the G1 Sprinters’ S. at Nakayama Sept. 30, the Darley-bred bounced back to win the G2 Jockey Club Sprint at Sha Tin Nov. 18, but was only fifth to Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in defense of his Hong Kong Sprint crown Dec. 9. He filled that same spot behind 1000-meter specialist Eagle Regiment (Aus) (El Moxie) in the Centenary Sprint Cup Jan. 27, but was back to his best with a strong win in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize over 1200 meters Feb. 17. Fourth to Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) in a salty renewal of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup going seven panels Mar. 17, he was exiting a seventh in the Sprint Cup Apr. 28, but was found to have bled significantly. Trainer Caspar Fownes decided to set him for this race in spite of the climate and he was sent off the third choice behind local Horse of the Year Super Easy. One of the first to leave, Lucky Nine was gathered up to race in third behind dueling pacesetters early on, as Super Easy was further back in midfield. Brett Prebble, successful in this with Sacred Kingdom (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) in 2009, pulled his mount out into the clear leaving the quarter pole, but soon had a race on his hands, as Super Easy laid it down entering the final furlong. But the favorite couldn’t get to Lucky Nine, who pulled well clear, as Australia’s Bel Sprinter grabbed second on the line. "The pressure on me after his last run where he had blood in his trachea was quite heavy," said Fownes. "Having to travel him here and then get him to perform at his top, the pressure was right on. This means a lot to us to come here and win on international soil. We’ll put him away now and we’ll look forward to the next season." Emerald Hill (Sharp Humor), who argued the early pace, dropped jockey Jose Verenzuela nearing the 200-meter mark and was diagnosed with ruptured distal sesamoidian ligaments on its near-fore, according to the stewards’ post-race report. It was the third win in five years for Hong Kong, which was represented by Green Birdie (NZ) (Catbird {Aus}) in 2010.

Sunday, Woodbine
SELENE S.-GIII, $152,019, WOX, 5-19, 3yo, f,
1 1/16m (AWT), 1:43 3/5, ft.
1--#@COFFEE CLIQUE, 117, f, 3, by Medaglia d’Oro
1st Dam: Miss Chapin, by Royal Academy
2nd Dam: Society Dream (Fr), by Akarad (Fr)
3rd Dam: Society Bride, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
O-Amerman Racing LLC; B-Mrs Jerry Amerman (KY); T-Brian A Lynch; J-Luis Contreras. $87,534. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-0, $166,300. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.

2--Nipissing, 124, f, 3, Niigon--Kiche, by Dixieland Band. O-Chiefswood Stable; B-Chiefswood Stables Limited (ON); T-Rachel Halden. $35,014.

3--Overheard, 117, f, 3, Macho Uno--Whisper to Me, by Thunder Gulch. O-Pin Oak Stable; B-Pin Oak Stud, LLC (KY); T-Malcolm Pierce. $16,048.
Margins: 4, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.80, 1.85, 4.35.
Also Ran: Spring Venture, Leigh Court, Fun in D' Sun, Thats Our Princess. Scratched: Takeyourbreathaway.
Click for the brisnet.com chart or the brisnet.com PPs. VIDEO.

   Successful in her debut going seven panels at this venue Dec. 2, Coffee Clique bobbled at the start of a Gulfstream optional claimer next time out and finished fifth Jan. 1. Trying the turf, she took an optional claimer going a mile there Feb. 2 and was fourth routing over the sod in the GIII Herecomesthebride S. Mar. 2. Shuffled back before being forced out on the turn in the Secret Grace S. roughly run Mar. 31, she finished third, but was promoted to second. The second choice broke widest here and rated towards the back of the pack down through the opening exchanges. She steadily moved up to the outside of the field exiting the backstretch, caught up to free wheeling leader Leigh Court (Grand Slam) at the top of the lane and pulled away to finish under a hand ride. "She's a great little filly, very honest," said winning trainer Brian Lynch. "[Jockey] Luis [Contreras] got to work her during the week as she's not long up from Keeneland. I think he was very confident after that work and rode her very nicely today. She's very versatile, looks like the Poly and the turf…that's her number."

Navan, 14.45, Mdn, €15,500, 2yo, 5fT, 1:04.38, yl.
STUBBS (IRE) (c, 2, Danehill Dancer {Ire}--Moonstone {GB} {G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, $611,999} by Dalakhani {Ire}), who was third on debut behind the Bolger trainee Saburo (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) at The Curragh Mar. 24, broke well and raced behind the early pace in the center. Taking over with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining, the 4-5 pick stretched clear to score by 4 1/4 lengths from Treadstone (GB) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). "He traveled and quickened up well and is bred to get further, so he’ll be a nice horse for next year," Joseph O’Brien said. Stubbs, a son of 2008 G1 Irish Oaks heroine and G1 English Oaks runner-up Moonstone, is a 3/4-brother to Nevis (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), SW-Eng. and Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, €12,095. VIDEO, courtesy attheraces.com.
O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt; T-Aidan O’Brien.