Flightline, Bob Baffert, State Of Rest and Yutaka Take feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Flightline puts perfect record on the line in $1m Pacific Classic
USA: Flightline has been installed 1-5 favorite for the TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Saturday [Sept 3], a ‘Win and You’re In’ race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, for which he is also ante-post favorite with European bookmakers.
The John Sadler-trained four-year-old, who is four-for-four in his career, has trained all summer at the seaside track where he recorded a 13-length win over 6f on his second start in September 2021.
He will be tackling 1m2f for the first time under regular jockey Flavien Prat against five opponents who include the Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer (John Velazquez).
Breeders’ Cup Classic betting (Ladbrokes): 5-2 Flightline, 9-2 Life Is Good, 5 Epicenter, 12 Charge It, Country Grammer, Taiba, 16 bar.
Medina Spirit appeal hearing concludes – verdict within 90 days
USA: :Six days of testimony from trainer Bob Baffert, connections of Medina Spirit, Kentucky officials and experts in the appeal against the colt’s 2021 Kentucky Derby disqualification and the trainer’s suspension have concluded.
Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone, a substance which is permitted for therapeutic use, but not allowed to be present on race day.
Hearing officer Clay Patrick is expected to deliver his decision within 60 days of receiving a transcript of the hearing, which could take 30 days to write up.
Cox Plate winner State Of Rest retired due to injury
Ireland: The career of State Of Rest, who had the distinction of winning G1 races on three continents, has been brought to an abrupt end after an injury was discovered during a scan ahead of the planned defence of his Cox Plate crown.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained four-year-old, who this year added the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Prix Ganay to top-level successes at Moonee Valley and Saratoga in 2021, won over £2.9m ($3.3m/A$4.9m).
Prolific sire More Than Ready euthanised aged 25
USA: More Than Ready, a champion sire in both northern and southern hemispheres, has been euthanised at WinStar Farm, Kentucky, due to the effects of old age. He was 25. He was one of the youngest stallions to sire the winners of over 1,000 races, of which 100 were at stakes level,
Champion 2YO Corniche retired to stud
USA: The 2021 Eclipse champion two-year-old Corniche has been retired to Ashford Stud. The son of Quality Road was trained by Bob Baffert to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar last year but suffered a career-ending injury when losing his unbeaten record at Saratoga in July.
Yutaka Take wins World All Star Jockeys
Japan: Legendary jockey Yutaka Take won the World All Star Jockeys for the second time when beating a field of leading local and international riders. Take, who last won the contest in 1992, led the home team to a comprehensive win over their foreign rivals, the best of whom, Theo Bachelot, finished fourth overall.
Elsewhere in racing …
Australia: Cleveland and Trawlerman ruled out of Melbourne Cup More here
USA: Chad Brown court date moved More here
USA: John Velazquez rides 1,000th Saratoga winner More here
Hong Kong: ‘Magic Man’ Moreira to miss start of season More here
USA: Life Is Good could target Woodward next More here
Ireland: Top Ballydoyle two-year-old Little Big Bear picks up foot injury More here
USA: Ron McAnally receives Pincay Award More here
Australia: Buyer of 22 yearlings at Magic Millions sale was having ‘medical episode’ More here
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