Cody’s Wish, Zenyatta and Arcangelo feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Saratoga-bound Cody’s Wish records best Beyer of 2023
USA: Fan favorite Cody’s Wish produced the highest Beyer speed figure of 2023 to date with his impressive triumph in the Metropolitan Handicap (Met Mile) on the Belmont Stakes undercard on Saturday [June 10].
The Godolphin five-year-old, world #3 on TRC Global Rankings, recorded a figure of 112 as he completed a six-timer in the $1 million contest to top this year’s leader board, which is published in the Daily Racing Form. He had recorded 105 on his previous outing in the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes.
Cody’s Wish in world top three after impressive Met Mile triumph
Having extended his winning streak to six, Cody’s Wish is likely to reappear at Saratoga, with trainer Bill Mott having mentioned the Whitney (August 5) or the Forego (August 26) as potential targets.
On the same card at Belmont, Arabian Lion’s 109 in the Woody Stephens represented the best three-year-old Beyer of 2023. Belmont winner Arcangelo hit 102.
Zenyatta retired as broodmare after latest foal
USA: The great Zenyatta’s breeding career is over with news that she is being retired as a broodmare after a 13-year stint.
One of the most popular racehorses of the modern era, the Hall of Famer’s career highlight came in 2009 with a famous victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita, one of 13 G1 wins.
She was Horse of the Year in 2010, when she finally lost her unbeaten record on her 20th and final start with a gallant defeat in that year’s Classic under the floodlights at Churchill Downs.
Retired to Lane’s End, Zenyatta struggled in her new role as a broodmare, having faced difficulties staying in-foal and failing to produce a winner from her offspring. Aged 19, she will live out her days at Lane’s End, where she had her last foal, a War Front filly, on June 9. More here
Travers Stakes probable for Belmont winner Arcangelo
USA: Belmont Stakes hero Arcangelo is likely to be aimed at the Travers Stakes, the G1 ‘midsummer derby’ at Saratoga on August 26.
After making history as the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race, Jena Antonucci said that while there were no firm plans for the grey son of Arrogate, the $1.25m Travers is “on our radar”.
She added: “We know what the calendar is and what’s where, so we’ll let him come out of this and tell us. The stakes schedule is there and if it’s seven weeks until we run or 11 weeks until we run, we’ll just back into it.”
The Travers is also on the cards for Forte and Tapit Trice, the Todd Pletcher-trained pair who claimed second and third place in the Belmont. Pletcher will look first at either the Haskell or the Jim Dandy. More here
Derma Sotogake set to join Japan’s Breeders’ Cup team
Japan: According to reports in Japan, UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake will target the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on November 4.
Sixth in the Kentucky Derby on his most recent outing, the son of Mind Your Biscuits is likely to have a prep race on the NAR circuit at Funabashi in September.
In a likely strong Japanese Breeders’ Cup team, Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro is also being lined up for the $6m Classic, while dual Yasuda Kinen winner Songline has a choice of the Mile or the Filly & Mare Turf.
Japanese runners exempt from British anti-doping requirements
GB: The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed that runners from the Japan Racing Association are no longer subject to anti-doping procedures requiring overseas horses to be stationed in Britain for ten working days before their race. Non-exempt nations also have to provide a mandatory pre-race sample.
Other nations that are granted exemption from the BHA’s anti-doping foreign runner requirements are Ireland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Norway and Sweden. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: Last year’s Derby winner Desert Crown ruled out of Royal Ascot More here
Hong Kong: Top sprinter Wellington on course for Royal Ascot More here
USA: Seven-year suspension for trainer Amber Cobb More here
USA: Todd Pletcher handed 14-day ban for Bute positive More here
Australia: Racing Victoria announces prize-money cuts More here
Australia: Arrowfield Stud to stand triple G1 winner Hitotsu More here
South Korea: Kim Hye-sun becomes first woman to win Korean Derby More here
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