Join now & win money today! Get Started

Public Assembly Leads Home Long-Odds Trifecta in Royal Heroine Upset

---

In a surprising turn of events where none of the betting favorites finished better than seventh, Public Assembly (More Than Ready) gathered the rest and led home a pair of double-digit choices to score her first black-type in the GIII Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita.

Coming into the race off a victory last out Mar. 30 against local optional claimers in her first jump for her new connections, the chestnut was bet down to 8-1 odds as ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Raw Ability (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) commanded the lion’s share of attention as the 9-5 favorite. With that undefeated filly her immediate neighbor, Public Assembly settled well to the inside of runners after the gate break while the public choice stepped up to stalk the pacesetter.

Comfortable in midpack behind :22.71, :46.23, and 1:10.99 splits, she was patiently handled on the final bend as the field closed ranks and was set loose in upper stretch while the pace started to catch up to the leaders. Muscling clear of competition passing the eighth pole, Public Assembly surged away from any would-be challengers in the late stages to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Stablemate Sun Of Hill (Brz) (Camelot Kitten), who completely blew the break when she hopped in the air, put in a very respectable showing from dead last to claim second as Sneaker (Oscar Performance) overcame checking off of heels to claim third.

“Last time she won and she was coming off a layoff and was going long,” said winning rider Antonio Fresu. “She won really easily. I told Phil right after she should run in a stakes right away.”

“I was very confident today. The only bit of concern was it might be a little too short for her at a mile. I had a great break from the gate and a great trip saving ground. She felt, really, really comfortable, even better than last time. She was traveling beautifully all the way around. I was just waiting for a gap. As soon as she saw the gap, she took off. It was impressive.”

Co-Owner Bing Bush of Abbondanza Racing said, “Phil and his barn have done a wonderful job with her. After she won her last race, we were kind of thinking that she might want to go a little bit longer, but Phil said, ‘You know what? I think a mile will suit her just great.’ We thought we would give it a try and my gosh, I think she can go the distance and get a mile. I just can’t believe it I am so excited.”

“She kind of put it on the last time. The pace this time wasn’t quite as fast as I thought it be, but it was a decent pace and she was up closer to it this time. She had a bit coming home, and she was amazing to watch. Just unbelievable.”

#1 PUBLIC ASSEMBLY ($18.00) gets home on top in the $100,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (G3) at @SantaAnitaPark. @Antonio1Fresu was aboard the More Than Ready filly for trainer @PhilDamato11. pic.twitter.com/H7saN0NZC5

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 26, 2025

Pedigree Note:

Public Assembly is by the late great More Than Ready, who was a worldwide phenomenon as a stallion with champions on both hemispheres and 232 stakes winners. His prowess extended beyond just being a sire, but he’s also counted as a sire of sires and leading broodmare sire.

Out of Enchanting Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), a full-sister to MGSW Csaba and SW & GISP Kitten’s Queen, the victress is the mare’s first winner ahead of Advantes Road (Jpn) (Munnings) in Japan, who was sold in utero when his dam changed hands for $100,000 to JS Company at KEENOV in 2021. Since then, the mare has produced a now juvenile filly by Silver State (Jpn) named Brave Kitten (Jpn) and a yearling colt by Saturnalia (Jpn). Her full-sister Kitten’s Queen has also been exported to Japan and is the dam of MSP Today Is the Day (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

The post Public Assembly Leads Home Long-Odds Trifecta in Royal Heroine Upset appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Headline Horse: Journalism Draws Post Eight, Favored at 3-1 for Kentucky Derby

---

Journalism (Curlin) was tabbed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite after drawing in a good spot in post position eight for next Saturday’s 151st running of the GI Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Regular rider Umberto Rispoli will be at the controls.

The GI Santa Anita Derby winner, an $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling graduate, is campaigned in partnership by Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, Robert LaPenta and Lessees Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor. He is trained by Michael McCarthy.

“No complaints,” McCarthy said at the draw. “With a horse like him, he gives you a lot of confidence. I really wouldn’t have mattered where he had drawn.”

Godolphin homebred Sovereignty (Into Mischief), runner-up in the GI Curlin Florida Derby for Hall of Famer Bill Mott, will exit from post 18. He is the second-choice on the morning-line at 5-1.

Sandman (Tapit) drew one to the inside of that rival and is the third-choice on the morning-line at 6-1. The GI Arkansas Derby winner and $1.2-million OBS March breezer is owned in partnership by D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables and is trained by Mark Casse.

The speedy Bob Baffert-trained duo of champion 2-year-old colt Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Rodriguez (Authentic) both drew inside posts. Citizen Bull will exit from the rail while GII Wood Memorial S. winner Rodriguez will break from post four.

American Pharoah (Luxor Cafe & Publisher), Curlin (Grande & Journalism) and Into Mischief (Citizen Bull & Sovereignty) will each be represented by two runners.

Coady Media

From the rail out, the entire 20-horse field, including morning-line odds, for the Kentucky Derby (Race 12, post time 6:57 p.m.):

1-Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) (20-1), 2-Neoequos (Neolithic) (30-1), 3-Final Gambit (Not This Time) (30-1), 4-Rodriguez (Authentic) (12-1), 5-American Promise (Justify) (30-1), 6-Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) (30-1), 7-Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) (15-1), 8-Journalism (Curlin) (3-1), 9-Burnham Square (Liam’s Map) (12-1), 10-Grande (Curlin) (20-1), 11-Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}) (30-1), 12-East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro) (20-1), 13-Publisher (American Pharoah) (20-1), 14-Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) (20-1), 15-Render Judgment (Blame) (30-1), 16-Coal Battle (Coal Front) (30-1), 17-Sandman (Tapit) (6-1), 18-Sovereignty (Into Mischief) (5-1), 19-Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) (30-1), 20-Owen Almighty (Speightstown) (30-1), AE-Baeza (McKinzie).

Post Positions for the 151st Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. pic.twitter.com/CGyJn9rmy2

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 26, 2025

Unbeaten Good Cheer Favored at 6-5 for Kentucky Oaks

Unbeaten Godolphin homebred Good Cheer (Medaglia d’Oro), meanwhile, drew post 11 and has been installed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite in a full, 14-horse field for next Friday’s GI Kentucky Oaks. Luis Saez will ride.

The last-out GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks heroine is trained by Brad Cox, who has won the Kentucky Oaks two previous times with Monomoy Girl (2018) and Shedaresthedevil (2020).

“She’s been incredibly impressive this year and we’re expecting a big effort next week,” Cox said.

From the rail out, the entire 14-horse field, including morning-line odds, for the Kentucky Oaks (Race 11, post time 5:51 p.m.):

1-Early On (Union Rags) (30-1), 2-Simply Joking (Practical Joke) (30-1), 3-Fondly (Upstart) (30-1), 4-Drexel Hill (Bolt d’Oro) (30-1), 5-Quickick (McKinzie) (30-1), 6-Ballerina d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) (10-1), 7-La Cara (Street Sense) (6-1), 8-Five G (Vekoma) (12-1), 9-Tenma (Nyquist) (12-1), 10-Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) (12-1), 11-Good Cheer (Medaglia d’Oro) (6-5), 12-Anna’s Promise (Promises Fulfilled) (30-1), 13-Bless The Broken (Laoban) (30-1), 14-Quietside (Malibu Moon) (8-1).

Post Positions for the 151st Longines Kentucky Oaks. pic.twitter.com/K38MylPbn0

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 27, 2025

The post Headline Horse: Journalism Draws Post Eight, Favored at 3-1 for Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Public Assembly Leads Home Long-Odds Trifecta in Royal Heroine Upset

---

In a surprising turn of events where none of the betting favorites finished better than seventh, Public Assembly (More Than Ready) gathered the rest and led home a pair of double-digit choices to score her first black-type in the GIII Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita.

Coming into the race off a victory last out Mar. 30 against local optional claimers in her first jump for her new connections, the chestnut was bet down to 8-1 odds as ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Raw Ability (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) commanded the lion’s share of attention as the 9-5 favorite. With that undefeated filly her immediate neighbor, Public Assembly settled well to the inside of runners after the gate break while the public choice stepped up to stalk the pacesetter.

Comfortable in midpack behind :22.71, :46.23, and 1:10.99 splits, she was patiently handled on the final bend as the field closed ranks and was set loose in upper stretch while the pace started to catch up to the leaders. Muscling clear of competition passing the eighth pole, Public Assembly surged away from any would-be challengers in the late stages to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Stablemate Sun Of Hill (Brz) (Camelot Kitten), who completely blew the break when she hopped in the air, put in a very respectable showing from dead last to claim second as Sneaker (Oscar Performance) overcame checking off of heels to claim third.

“Last time she won and she was coming off a layoff and was going long,” said winning rider Antonio Fresu. “She won really easily. I told Phil right after she should run in a stakes right away.”

“I was very confident today. The only bit of concern was it might be a little too short for her at a mile. I had a great break from the gate and a great trip saving ground. She felt, really, really comfortable, even better than last time. She was traveling beautifully all the way around. I was just waiting for a gap. As soon as she saw the gap, she took off. It was impressive.”

Co-Owner Bing Bush of Abbondanza Racing said, “Phil and his barn have done a wonderful job with her. After she won her last race, we were kind of thinking that she might want to go a little bit longer, but Phil said, ‘You know what? I think a mile will suit her just great.’ We thought we would give it a try and my gosh, I think she can go the distance and get a mile. I just can’t believe it I am so excited.”

“She kind of put it on the last time. The pace this time wasn’t quite as fast as I thought it be, but it was a decent pace and she was up closer to it this time. She had a bit coming home, and she was amazing to watch. Just unbelievable.”

#1 PUBLIC ASSEMBLY ($18.00) gets home on top in the $100,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (G3) at @SantaAnitaPark. @Antonio1Fresu was aboard the More Than Ready filly for trainer @PhilDamato11. pic.twitter.com/H7saN0NZC5

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 26, 2025

Pedigree Note:

Public Assembly is by the late great More Than Ready, who was a worldwide phenomenon as a stallion with champions on both hemispheres and 232 stakes winners. His prowess extended beyond just being a sire, but he’s also counted as a sire of sires and leading broodmare sire.

Out of Enchanting Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), a full-sister to MGSW Csaba and SW & GISP Kitten’s Queen, the victress is the mare’s first winner ahead of Advantes Road (Jpn) (Munnings) in Japan, who was sold in utero when his dam changed hands for $100,000 to JS Company at KEENOV in 2021. Since then, the mare has produced a now juvenile filly by Silver State (Jpn) named Brave Kitten (Jpn) and a yearling colt by Saturnalia (Jpn). Her full-sister Kitten’s Queen has also been exported to Japan and is the dam of MSP Today Is the Day (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

The post Public Assembly Leads Home Long-Odds Trifecta in Royal Heroine Upset appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Headline Horse: Journalism Draws Post Eight, Favored at 3-1 for Kentucky Derby

---

Journalism (Curlin) was tabbed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite after drawing in a good spot in post position eight for next Saturday’s 151st running of the GI Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Regular rider Umberto Rispoli will be at the controls.

The GI Santa Anita Derby winner, an $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling graduate, is campaigned in partnership by Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, Robert LaPenta and Lessees Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor. He is trained by Michael McCarthy.

“No complaints,” McCarthy said at the draw. “With a horse like him, he gives you a lot of confidence. I really wouldn’t have mattered where he had drawn.”

Godolphin homebred Sovereignty (Into Mischief), runner-up in the GI Curlin Florida Derby for Hall of Famer Bill Mott, will exit from post 18. He is the second-choice on the morning-line at 5-1.

Sandman (Tapit) drew one to the inside of that rival and is the third-choice on the morning-line at 6-1. The GI Arkansas Derby winner and $1.2-million OBS March breezer is owned in partnership by D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables and is trained by Mark Casse.

The speedy Bob Baffert-trained duo of champion 2-year-old colt Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Rodriguez (Authentic) both drew inside posts. Citizen Bull will exit from the rail while GII Wood Memorial S. winner Rodriguez will break from post four.

American Pharoah (Luxor Cafe & Publisher), Curlin (Grande & Journalism) and Into Mischief (Citizen Bull & Sovereignty) will each be represented by two runners.

Coady Media

From the rail out, the entire 20-horse field, including morning-line odds, for the Kentucky Derby (Race 12, post time 6:57 p.m.):

1-Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) (20-1), 2-Neoequos (Neolithic) (30-1), 3-Final Gambit (Not This Time) (30-1), 4-Rodriguez (Authentic) (12-1), 5-American Promise (Justify) (30-1), 6-Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) (30-1), 7-Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) (15-1), 8-Journalism (Curlin) (3-1), 9-Burnham Square (Liam’s Map) (12-1), 10-Grande (Curlin) (20-1), 11-Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}) (30-1), 12-East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro) (20-1), 13-Publisher (American Pharoah) (20-1), 14-Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) (20-1), 15-Render Judgment (Blame) (30-1), 16-Coal Battle (Coal Front) (30-1), 17-Sandman (Tapit) (6-1), 18-Sovereignty (Into Mischief) (5-1), 19-Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) (30-1), 20-Owen Almighty (Speightstown) (30-1), AE-Baeza (McKinzie).

Post Positions for the 151st Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. pic.twitter.com/CGyJn9rmy2

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 26, 2025

Unbeaten Good Cheer Favored at 6-5 for Kentucky Oaks

Unbeaten Godolphin homebred Good Cheer (Medaglia d’Oro), meanwhile, drew post 11 and has been installed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite in a full, 14-horse field for next Friday’s GI Kentucky Oaks. Luis Saez will ride.

The last-out GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks heroine is trained by Brad Cox, who has won the Kentucky Oaks two previous times with Monomoy Girl (2018) and Shedaresthedevil (2020).

“She’s been incredibly impressive this year and we’re expecting a big effort next week,” Cox said.

From the rail out, the entire 14-horse field, including morning-line odds, for the Kentucky Oaks (Race 11, post time 5:51 p.m.):

1-Early On (Union Rags) (30-1), 2-Simply Joking (Practical Joke) (30-1), 3-Fondly (Upstart) (30-1), 4-Drexel Hill (Bolt d’Oro) (30-1), 5-Quickick (McKinzie) (30-1), 6-Ballerina d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) (10-1), 7-La Cara (Street Sense) (6-1), 8-Five G (Vekoma) (12-1), 9-Tenma (Nyquist) (12-1), 10-Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) (12-1), 11-Good Cheer (Medaglia d’Oro) (6-5), 12-Anna’s Promise (Promises Fulfilled) (30-1), 13-Bless The Broken (Laoban) (30-1), 14-Quietside (Malibu Moon) (8-1).

Post Positions for the 151st Longines Kentucky Oaks. pic.twitter.com/K38MylPbn0

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 27, 2025

The post Headline Horse: Journalism Draws Post Eight, Favored at 3-1 for Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.