Don Alberto

'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Senza Parole (Gun Runner) made light work of six overmatched rivals in what was most assuredly a prep for a return to stakes competition over the coming weeks. The 4-5 favorite was off alertly from the two hole and was allowed to find her footing before creeping closer midway up the backstretch. Kept well out into the track while clocking the pacesetters, Senza Parole went from the fence into the three path in the blink of an eye at the five-sixteenths and the race...

6th-DMR, 80K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, 8:32 p.m. Don Alberto had to stretch to $950,000 to acquire YURAK (Tapit) as a yearling at Keeneland last September. Debuting Friday for John Sadler, the filly is exceptionally well-bred with no fewer than four black type earners as half-siblings led by GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile victor and Gainesway stallion Spun to Run (Hard Spun). First dam Yawkey Way, who sold for $600,000 to Gaineway/Whisper Hill Farm in 2020, has also produced SW/MGSP Informed Patriot (who topped the 2024 Fasig-Tipton July Horses of...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -  David Scanlon and his wife Blair King, who have been leasing at the Oak Ridge Training Center in Morriston, have found a new home for their growing business with the purchase of the 240-acre training center in Ocala formerly owned by legendary horseman Eddie Woods and his wife Angela. "It was one of those things that we felt like it was meant to be," Scanlon said Tuesday morning at the Fasig-Tipton sales grounds. "We had actually been in the market for a little bit, looking around....

What is the common denominator between the last three runnings of the second jewel of the U.S. Triple Crown and Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Select Yearling Sale? When Journalism (Curlin) crossed the wire first in the GI Preakness Stakes last May, it marked the third consecutive year that a yearling sold at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga venue brought home the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans. Beginning in 2023, National Treasure (Quality Road), a $500,000 Saratoga buy, won for trainer Bob Baffert and a partnership consisting of SF Racing, Starlight, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber,...

The past few months have been a rollercoaster of emotions for Liliana Solari, Carlos Heller and their team at Don Alberto. In April, the farm's homebred superstar Journalism (Curlin) scored the first of three Grade I victories in the Santa Anita Derby. Three weeks later, his dam Mopotism (Uncle Mo) foaled a picture-perfect Flightline filly. Journalism finished second, first, then second again in the Triple Crown series, taking his ownership group on an unforgettable journey on racing's biggest stage. Then suddenly, the highs gave way to heartbreak when Mopotism passed...

The horse giveth, the horse taketh away. How typical that Mopotism (Uncle Mo), one of those rare commercial diamonds that oblige with a champion at the first attempt, succumbed to her animal frailty in the very week that Journalism (Curlin) excavated new depths of the toughness she had given him. At least the cruelty of her premature loss has been matched by a proportionately outsized legacy. For while we can't yet be certain that even a prowess measured as persuasively as that of Journalism will be competently replicated, surely his...

Just in time for the big weekend, a brand new half-sister to Derby favorite Journalism (Curlin) has hit the ground for Don Alberto Corporation in Kentucky, according to a post on X by Reed Ringler. By Flightline and out of GSW Mopotism (Uncle Mo), the filly who arrived at about 1:00 a.m. ET came in at 144 pounds. "Mopotism has thrown some terrific foals, and all have had plenty of leg and substance," Don Alberto's Reed Ringler told the TDN. "She is a great mother, but all the foals have...

Just a Touch (Justify), a fantastic second behind subsequent GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in last spring's GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, is nearing a return to action. Last seen coming up just a head short for Qatar Racing, Resolute Racing and Marc Detampel in the Iowa Derby July 6, the 4-year-old has posted seven workouts at Brad Cox's Payson Park base this year, most recently breezing five furlongs in 1:01.80 (3/13) Feb. 15. "He's doing great," said Hunter Valley Farm's Fergus Galvin, who...

Don Alberto homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' Senza Parole (Gun Runner), sidelined since posting a jaw-dropping, 7 3/4-length debut victory at Saratoga last summer, has resumed training with Chad Brown at Payson Park. Senza Parole was scratched from the GI Frizette Stakes at Aqueduct Oct. 5 due to a "very minor physical problem," per Don Alberto's Chief Operating Officer Reed Ringler. Senza Parole was the 3-5 morning-line favorite for that 'Win and You're In' contest for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, which was won in runaway fashion by the...

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. Trainer Danny Gargan launched the careers of GI Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch (Good Magic) as well as GIII Matt Winn Stakes winner Society Man (Good Magic) during the 2023 meeting at Saratoga. Both starters in this year's GI Kentucky Derby, neither won on debut. Dornoch finished a strong second behind fellow future Classic winner Seize the Grey (Arrogate) in his unveiling in the Saratoga slop while Society...

The X-Ray Files series, now in its second year and presented in cooperation with the Consignors and Breeders Association, uses conversations with buyers and sellers to contribute to the discussion on radiographic findings and their impact on sales and racetrack success. Ocala horseman David Scanlon is not just a leading 2-year-old consignor, but he has also built an impressive list of training graduates for leading owners like Godolphin, Coolmore, Don Alberto, and Calumet Farm. In both capacities, Scanlon's operation is well represented on this year's GI Kentucky Derby trail. He...

2nd-GP, $89K, Msw, 3yo, f, 7f, 12:38 p.m. ET. Whisper Hill homebred TAP MY BELLE (Tapit) makes her first start for trainer Ralph Nicks. The gray is out GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic heroine Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song), who was bred and raced by Gary Seidler and Peter Vegso. Initially, she was purchased by Brushwood Stable for $2.8 million as the fourth highest price at the 2011 Keeneland November Sale. Five years later at the same auction, Whisper Hill made the mare the sales topper when Mandy Pope took her...