West End Kid

European invader Glacius (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) made his North American debut a winning one Saturday, upsetting the GI Saratoga Derby under Luis Saez. While multiple group-stakes placed in England, the 9-1 shot was seeking his first win since breaking his maiden on debut at Newmarket nearly one year ago. He's filled up the show slot in each of his last three starts dating back to October of last year in the G3 Autumn Stakes, at Ascot this year in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes and most recently the...

A resilient winner of the GII Bowling Green Stakes Saturday, Ole Crazy Bone (Ghostzapper) has emerged from the race in good form and is a possible for the GI Christophe Clement, setting the gelding up for a potential rematch with third-place runner Minaret Station (Instilled Regard) and runner-up Fort George (GB) (Territories {Ire}). "[Flavien Prat] knew he was the pace and rode [Ole Crazy Bone] like he was the best horse," said owner Flying P Stable's Jay Provenzano Sunday, while visiting Ole Crazy Bone at the barn. "He's perfect this...

For as clear as the winner of the GI Belmont Oaks was just two races prior, the GI Belmont Derby was a diametrically opposed result. It came down to a desperate photo on the wire that ultimately went to Title Role (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) over a fast-closing West End Kid (Twirling Candy). Title Role spent 2026 accumulating frequent flier miles with trips to Meydan, Newbury, and Cologne in Germany credited to his passport since Jan. 2 when he ran third in the Jumeirah Stakes. He claimed the Jumeirah...

No fewer than four 'TDN Rising Stars' presented by Hagyard are among the 10 3-year-olds expected to face the starter for Saturday's $750,000 GI Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes at Saratoga and, to varying degrees, a logical argument can be made for each of the quartet. C R K Stables' Remember Mamba (Kitten's Joy) is the only one of the eight U.S.-based entrants with Grade I form on his page, and a cracking effort it was to come from near the tail of the field to complete the exacta in the...

They can often be the best of therapists, for those who bring them their troubles. In fact, you sometimes wish that we could all be as human as horses. In the case of Scott Mawaka, however, equine engagement has become just as much about giving as receiving. Which is saying plenty, as his Mo Speed Racing is receiving the biggest of thrills from West End Kid (Twirling Candy), who continued his ascent in the GIII Pennine Ridge Stakes at Saratoga on Belmont weekend. Mawaka, over a decade after renouncing a...

Sent off the even-money favorite to run his current winning streak to three, Mo Speed Racing's West End Kid (Twirling Candy) sat a stalking trip and had plenty left for the final furlong to easily take out Thursday's GIII Pennine Ridge Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Drawn widest in a field of nine and exiting a comfortable Churchill allowance victory May 8, the bay colt was asked for a bit of speed by Tyler Gaffalione passing the stands for the first time, but was content to take the sit from...

A trio of turf graded stakes kicks off the Thoroughbred season at Saratoga on Thursday, headed by the GIII Pennine Ridge Stakes which features sophomores going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Installed the 9-5 morning-line choice, Mo Speed Racing's West End Kid (Twirling Candy) will attempt to secure his third consecutive victory after posting a pair scores over this distance in a 3 1/2-length win Keeneland maiden on Apr. 11 followed by another confident tally in a Churchill optional claimer on May 8. Trained by Will Walden, the colt...