Stronghold

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...

In fairness, an authentic Triple Crown was never available to Sovereignty even if his connections had deigned to seek one. We must still wait and see, then, whether Into Mischief can someday crown his evolution into a Classic influence with the winner of a 12-furlong Belmont Stakes. As and when that happens, it will feel much as when Justify-representing another Storm Cat speed brand, Scat Daddy-set off fast and just kept going. That ability to carry speed is the dirt grail and perhaps we can give some credit for the...

Dr. Venkman (g, 5, Ghostzapper--Theory of Change, by Archarcharch), winner of the GII San Diego Handicap at Del Mar 13 months ago, returned to the scene of his biggest career triumph to add the GII Pat O'Brien Stakes Saturday. The $250,000 Pat O'Brien, run at seven furlongs, offers a 'Win and You're In' berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, to be held over this surface Nov. 1. Despite a field of veterans, the Pat O'Brien was not without incident. Two of the six horses--Stronghold (Ghostzapper) and Spirit of...

There really isn't a whole lot that trainer Bill Mott has left to accomplish in the Thoroughbred business. Since recording his first graded stakes victory with Heatherten--who also gave him his first Grade I success--for owner John Franks some 41 years ago, the 72-year-old has saddled the winners of over 150 top-level contests with superstars of either sex, such as Taylor's Special, Theatrical (Ire), Paradise Creek, Fraise, legendary dual Horse of the Year Cigar, Ajina, Escena, Wekiva Springs, Favorite Trick, Dream Supreme and her son Majestic Warrior, Drosselmeyer, To Honor...

The English polymath John Ruskin, who was always hard at work scribbling a well-timed observation for some future generation to co-opt, said when it came to the weather, "Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." Well, bully for you Mr. Ruskin! Send him a going stick and put him to work on the nearest turf course. Some might care to offer quite a different observation after recent events. What...

Hallandale, FL--The Gulfstream Park backstretch on Thursday morning was not for the faint of heart. After a healthy dose of rain in addition to a transient cold snap, the going was less-than-welcoming to both horse and human alike. However, one wasn't likely to hear anybody complain about it. With temperatures falling dreadfully low in the Northeast (think single digits) and snow crippling much of the South causing countless travel delays, temps in the 50s and some rain didn't really seem like a big deal in the bigger scheme of things....

Reigning GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) breezed five furlongs in :59.98 on his own over a 'good' Gulfstream Park main track Saturday morning, his final serious piece of work ahead of next Saturday's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes. Robby Albarado was aboard for the move. "What I'd call a happy five-eighths," trainer Ken McPeek said. "It was just a maintenance breeze. I didn't have a horse I really felt good about him being in company with, and I don't think he needed the company. But he took...

Despite live racing for the weekend cancelled at Santa Anita due to the Los Angeles fires, training continued with GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational contenders Mixto (Good Magic) and Stronghold (Ghostzapper) among Sunday's workers. Both worked five furlongs with Mixto covering the distance in 1:02.60 and Stronghold going in 1:01.40. Mixto won the 2024 GI Pacific Classic for trainer Doug O'Neill, while Stronghold, trained by Phil D'Amato, won the 2024 GI Santa Anita Derby. The $3-million Pegasus will be held Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. An alternate for the Pegasus,...

Firming into 13-5 favoritism in the final few clicks of the tote, Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) found his best stride well off the inside entering the final eighth of a mile and staved off a late challenge from 2024 GI Santa Anita Derby winner Stronghold (Ghostzapper) to win Thursday's GI Malibu Stakes, the traditional opening-day feature at the Great Race Place. Drawn widest in a field reduced to six with the early scratchings of Senior Officer (Into Mischief) and GI Breeders' Cup Sprint runner-up Bentornato (Valiant Minister) due to a...

BENSALEM, PA -- Consider it a belated birthday present, Coach. Having turned 89 less than three weeks ago, the legendary Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas pulled yet another rabbit out of his hat, saddling GI Preakness Stakes hero Seize the Grey (Arrogate) to a victory in Saturday's GI Pennsylvania Derby, a result arguably more surprising than his off odds of 4.30-1 might suggest. The $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase was only seventh to 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in April,...

'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) drew gate six in a field of eight and was made the 4-5 morning-line favorite when post positions were drawn Monday for Saturday's GI Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing in suburban Philadelphia. Trainer Ken McPeek will once again give Brian Hernandez, Jr. a leg up on Thorpedo Anna, whose victories in the GI Kentucky Oaks, GI Acorn Stakes and GI CCA Oaks have virtually clinched the 3-year-old filly championship with better than two months of racing left in 2024. She covered herself in...

Making his first start around two turns and looking for a third straight victory in succession, Juddmonte homebred Dragoon Guard (Arrogate) was sent for the lead from his outside draw and made every pole a winning one in Saturday's GIII Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Pegged at 7-2 on the morning line and sharing the grey/roan coloring that runs rampant in his pedigree (sire, dam, grandsire, damsire and damsire's sire), Dragoon Guard--off as the 19-10 second-elect--was given a positive ride from Florent Geroux and led his rivals into the first...