Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners

Juvenile Into Diamonds Graduates At First Asking Over Keeneland Turf

2nd-Keeneland, $77,839, Msw, 4-25, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.29, fm, neck. INTO DIAMONDS (c, 2, Into Mischief--Diamond Sparkles {GSP}, by War Front) was overlooked by the betting public at odds of 6-1 for his debut here. The bay settled mid-pack up the backstretch as the tone was set by fellow firster Cheval de Guerre (Caravaggio). Trying to get involved around the far turn, the colt fanned four wide at the top of the lane and uncorked a bid to catch the leader. With a final push just the before the wire,...

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Pletcher Sophomore Fillies Headed Down Separate Paths

Trainer Todd Pletcher reported that both of his fillies that contested Friday's GI Central Bank Ashland S. emerged from the efforts none the worse for wear, but are likely to part company for the time being. 'TDN Rising Star' Leslie's Rose (Into Mischief) atoned for her third in the GII Davona Dale S. with a good-looking three-length victory in the Ashland, earning herself a ticket to the May 3 GI Kentucky Oaks in the process. "We are trying to sort things out, and we will let the dust settle from...

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Oscar Performance's Set Doubles Up in Cutler Bay

Set, an impressive 5 3/4-length debut winner over the Gulfstream lawn Feb. 24, went two-for-two over this course and distance with a 1 1/4-length victory in the Cutler Bay S. at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Sent off the 3-5 favorite, the chestnut colt was taken in hand and tugged his way along in a stalking second behind pacesetting longshot King Julien (Kingman {GB}) through fractions of :24.14 and :47.83. He strode to the lead approaching the stretch and held sway late as Double Your Money and Salvattore Prince chased him home....

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Due To Knee Injury, Locked Will Miss Triple Crown

'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner), the winner of last year's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, has come down with a knee injury that will prevent him from running in the upcoming Triple Crown races. The injury is not considered career-threatening. The news of his injury was first reported by David Grening of the Daily Racing Form. Aron Wellman, the managing partner of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, the co-owners of Locked, described the injury as "a very minor ligament fray in the upper part of the left knee." Locked was first expected...

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'Unfinished Business' — Champion Nest Back in Training for 5-Year-Old Campaign

After an abbreviated three-race campaign in 2023, Nest (Curlin) has returned to training for her 5-year-old season. Mike Repole bought out his partners in the champion 3-year-old filly of 2022--Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House--for a co-topping $6 million at last fall's Fasig-Tipton November sale. "When we put her in the sale, I really went there with a game plan of she might retire as a broodmare," Repole said. "The Japanese were bidding on her and I've seen so many of these horses go to Japan, and, honestly, I didn't...

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Locked, Victory Avenue Scratch From Fountain Of Youth

'TDN Rising Star' and GI Breeders' Futurity winner Locked (Gun Runner) has scratched from Saturday's GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. along with Victory Avenue (Arrogate) according to social media posts from each horses' respective connections along with a release from Gulfstream Park Saturday morning. Locked was 5-2 on the morning line while Victory Avenue was 4-1.   Locked will scratch from today's Fountain of Youth @GulfstreamPark. The Grade 1-winner and @BreedersCup placed son of Gun Runner still has his eye on the prize. We'll regroup and come up with...

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Oscar Performance's Set Runs Them Off Their Feet in Debut

12th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 2-24, 3yo, 7 1/2fT, 1:27.11, fm, 5 3/4 lengths. SET (c, 3, Oscar Performance--Three Am Tour {Ire}, by Strategic Prince {GB}) broke well and was quick into stride to show the way from the fence through :24.01 and :47.31 early splits. Never under any threat as 1:10.07 flashed up, it was a race for second place once they hit the stretch as the Mark Casse trainee drew off from the field to win as easily as he pleased by 5 3/4 lengths. Stakes-placed Typhoon Fury (Mitole) had...

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Anisette Proves Far Too Strong In American Oaks

Crunched into 3-5 favoritism to complete the Southern California turf Oaks double, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) sat the perfect trip just behind the pace and quickened up decisively in the final eighth of a mile to stamp her authority on Tuesday's GI American Oaks at Santa Anita. The dark bay, who swept the GII San Clemente S. and GI Del Mar Oaks over the summer, was content to lay third against the rails as Irad Ortiz, Jr. tried to make all the running aboard 'TDN Rising Star'...

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Three Graded Events on Holiday Menu

Churchill Downs will host two Grade III races to go with your turkey and gravy Thursday, while Del Mar will add its own graded event for dessert. The GIII Cardinal S. opens the holiday action in Louisville with a field of seven fillies and mares expected to go nine furlongs over the Churchill turf. CHP Racing's Saffron Moon (Malibu Moon), the 2-1 morning-line favorite, is making her first start against stakes company for trainer Chad Brown. The 4-year-old has three wins in four turf appearances and is coming off a...

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Making Waves: Pura Vida On The Double

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victories of Buffoon and Kick A Rhyme for trainer Mike Maker and Pura Vida Investments during the past week.   Lope De Vega Colt Strikes At Keeneland Buffoon (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) put it all together at second asking at Keeneland for Pura Vida Investments and trainer Mike Maker on Saturday (video). Bred by Ecurie des Monceaux and Rifa Mustang Europe, Ltd., the €175,000...

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Thursday's Breeders' Cup Report: Locked and Loaded for the Weekend

ARCADIA, CA - The imposing Bill Mott-trained duo of Just F Y I (Justify) (Juvenile Fillies) and champion Elite Power (Curlin) (Sprint) immediately caught the eye as the curtain was lifted at Santa Anita with a spectacular sunrise beneath the San Gabriel mountains on Breeders' Cup eve. Japanese superstar Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the Mile, began her marathon training session, while the horse to catch in the Dirt equivalent 'Rising Star' Zozos (Munnings) left the pony raring to go. John Gosden, represented by potential race...

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Prominent Horsemen Pledge Breeders' Cup Earnings to Support Fight Against Antisemitism

In a movement spearheaded by Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber, a group of 36 prominent horsemen have joined together in support of the fight against antisemitism. The horsemen have pledged a donation of a portion of their  Breeders' Cup earnings to the organization Stand Up to Jewish Hate. "Together, we support the fight against Jewish hate and antisemitism and stand with Israel's mission to eliminate all forms of terrorism," a statement from the group read. "In a united effort, we are committed to donating a portion...

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