Songbird

Feb. 8 Insights: Busy Day for Well-bred Debuters in Southeast, Led by Son of Songbird

8th-OP, $110k, Msw, 3yo/up, 6f, 4:55p.m. ET In against a field of mixed maidens, IRON DOME (McKinzie) begins his career for trainer Steve Asmussen and owners L and N Racing and Chester Broman, Sr. A $500,000 KEESEP purchase, the New York-bred is a half-brother to MSW & GSP Mr. Buff (Friend Or Foe), who was a fan-favorite on the Big Apple circuits, as well as to SP Quick to Accuse (Accelerate) and SP Organic Gemini (Sir Whimsey). A full-sister to Mr. Buff is the dam of SP Mischief Lady (Honest...

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Thursday's Insights: Daughter of Songbird Gets Another Try at Gulfstream

9th-GP, $94K, Msw, 4yo/up, f, 7f (AWT), 4:34 p.m. ET The impeccably-bred RUMOURS HAVE IT (Tapit) gets another shot to get off the mark following a 3/4-length defeat in her Nov. 22 debut at the Halladale oval. In front in the stretch that day, the daughter of dual champion Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) was caught late by West Loop (Munnings) and had to play the bridesmaid. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the Whisper Hill Farm homebred is the third foal out of Songbird, who realized $9.5 million at Fasig-Tipton November after her...

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Friday's Racing Insights: Pletcher Stablemates Unveil Their Own Eras Tour At Gulfstream

2nd-GP, $60K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 12:52 p.m. ET. A pair of 3-year-olds from the shedrow of Todd Pletcher will make their debut with Lasix from the inside gates. Exiting the rail spot is RUMOURS HAVE IT (Tapit). The filly is a Whisper Hill homebred who is out of dual champion Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro). Mandy Pope went to $9.5 million to acquire this dam at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale. Rumours Have It is her third foal and second to make the races. Emanating from next door is Taylor...

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$2.2M Gun Runner Colt Leads Million-Dollar Bonanza at Keeneland September Opener

by Jessica Martini, Christina Bossinakis, and Jill Williams LEXINGTON, KY-The Keeneland September Yearling Sale had its first seven-figure transaction just an hour into its first session Monday and, when the dust had settled after a frenetic day of bidding, 14 yearlings had sold for $1 million or more. The group was led by a $2.2-million son of Gun Runner who sold to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm from the Four Star Sales consignment. The colt was one of five by the Three Chimneys stallion to sell for seven figures during...

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Tamara Works At Santa Anita for BC Juvenile Fillies

Undefeated Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) worked six furlongs in 1:12.60 at Santa Anita Saturday morning in preparation for her next start in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies under Mike Smith, who has been aboard the two-year-old daughter of Beholder for each of her two wins. In the work Tamara hooked up with some company, reportedly an unraced two-year-old colt, whom she outworked. "I was actually kind of hoping to gain some company," Smith told Zoe Cadman, "and it worked out great. If I hadn't, she's a pretty good work horse if...

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TB Memorabilia Auction To Benefit Local KY Youth Sports Team

Several pieces of racing memorabilia will be auctioned off in support of the Georgetown Middle School Football Program in Georgetown, KY. The auction includes authentic leather halters worn by California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit), Olympiad (Speightstown), Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song), and Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) among others. Also available are behind the scenes private tours of WinStar Farm and Spendthrift Farm, as well as Denali Stud. Bids can be placed here and the auction ends Sept. 16.

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Friday Insights: Million-Dollar Into Mischief Filly Debuts At Ellis

6th-ELP, $70K, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 3:18 p.m. Live Oak Plantation's CHARLOTTESAPPROVAL (Into Mischief) makes it to the races Friday afternoon at Ellis Park in her first start since bringing $1,000,000 as a yearling at last year's Fasig-Tipton New York Select Yearling Sale. She is the second foal out of MGSW Curlin's Approval (Curlin). Racing out of the Mark Casse barn, she fired a bullet drill two back, going four furlongs from the gate in :47 3/5 (1/16) July 6 and most recently went another four furlongs in :48 4/5...

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Three Champs Lead Class of 2023 into Hall of Fame

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Co-owner and co-breeder Steve Coburn was a quotable presence during California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit)'s fine career and delivered again Friday when the California-bred was inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame. Champions California Chrome, Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro), all in their first year of eligibility, joined jockey Corey Nakatani in the contemporary class of 2023. Fernando Toro was selected by the Historic Review Committee. Three people--the late John Hanes II, the late Leonard Jerome and Stella F. Thayer--were inducted as...

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Nakatani Headlines 2023 Hall of Fame Class

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - At the very least, Aug. 4 will always be a mighty important day in jockey Corey Nakatani's life. For good and bad reasons, but memorable nonetheless. Exactly, five years after he earned his final victory then suffered career-ending injuries in a spill at Del Mar, Nakatani will be inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame on Friday morning at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion. The event, which is open to the public, begins at 10:30 a.m. Nakatani, 52, is a member of the Class...

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Aug. 1 Insights: Pricey Candy Ride Filly Unveiled at Ellis

5th-ELP, $70k, Msw, 2, f, 5 1/2fT, 2:45p.m. ET Unveiled on a Tuesday, CANDY LANDY (Candy Ride {Arg}) will go to post for conditioner George Arnold not only carrying Martin Garcia but also the hopes that come with a $500,000 FTSAUG price tag. The bay has been seen religiously on Churchill Downs's work tab and has been given 6-1 odds on the morning line. The half-sister to MGSW & GISP Messier (Empire Maker), who was last seen finishing fourth in the GII San Pasqual S., will take on a field...

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California Chrome, Arrogate, Nakatani Among Eight in Hall of Fame Class of 2023

Eight new members have been elected this year to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame class of 2023. Jockeys Corey Nakatani and Fernando Toro, via the Historic Review Committee, join racehorses Arrogate (Unbridled's Song), California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit), and Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) each in their first year of eligibility. Pillars of the Turf selections this year are John W. Hanes II, Leonard W. Jerome, and Stella F. Thayer. The late Arrogate, whose bankroll of $17,422,600 still ranks him as North America's wealthiest racehorse of all time, won...

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2023 Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

North America's richest horse Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) is among the nine equine finalists for the 2023 National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame class. Additionally, six trainers and one jockey account for the 16 total individuals who will make up the ballot, which will be chosen by the Museum's Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. The other finalists are Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision), California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit), Game On Dude (Awesome Again), Havre de Grace (Saint Liam), Kona Gold (Java Gold), Lady Eli (Divine Park), Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy), and...

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