Kellie Reilly
Kellie Reilly is a journalist and turf writer specializing in international horse racing.
Top selections and longshots for 2023 Dubai World Cup gala
Let’s highlight potential value, and longshots of interest, along with some more obvious top selections for the eight Thoroughbred prizes at Meydan.
International
Pedigree notebook: Cornucopia of angles in Super Chow
Super Chow pays tribute to late sire Lord Nelson and doubles down on some of his key ancestors.
Pedigree
2023 Dubai World Cup: Top 10 storylines
From the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1), to exceptional turf races, contentious dirt events, and a Kentucky Derby (G1) berth on the line in the UAE Derby (G2), Saturday’s extravaganza at Meydan offers a spectacle on a truly global scale.
International
Pedigree notebook: Talk of the Nation another one for Zenyatta's family
Recent Rebel (G2) winner Confidence Game put Zenyatta’s family back in the spotlight, since his dam is a half-sister to the Hall of Famer. Not to be outdone, another Zenyatta relative has produced a high-profile three-year-old who’s turning heads, but on turf – Talk of the Nation.
Pedigree
Forte hardens into 3-1 favoritism in KDFW Pool 5; Wet Paint popular in Oaks Future
Champion Forte closed as the overall 3-1 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager on Sunday evening, his strongest backing so far in the KDFW series.
Kentucky Derby
Dubai World Cup clues from Super Saturday, Saudi Cup
The “Super Saturday” results from March 4 at Meydan offer clues of varying degrees for the March 25 Dubai World Cup (G1) gala.
International
Pedigree notebook: More ‘Mischief' as Practical Joke turns stakes triple
Practical Move’s convincing victory in the San Felipe (G2) alone would have been an advertisement for young sire Practical Joke, who now has a proper Kentucky Derby contender to his credit. But Practical Joke also scored a stakes double at Aqueduct earlier on Saturday.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Sweet cross on display in Candy Man Rocket
Aside from his reminder that Candy Ride also gets sharp sprinters, Candy Man Rocket is a further example of his cross with Storm Cat-line mares.
Pedigree
Potential value plays and longshots for 2023 Saudi Cup Day
While the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) gets the lion’s share of attention, the five Thoroughbred stakes on the undercard likewise offer top-class competition with a global flair — and accordingly attractive betting opportunities.
International
Pedigree notebook: ‘Classic' patterns recur
Champion Classic Empire celebrated a graded stakes double on Saturday, and both of his winners are out of Bernardini-line mares.
Pedigree
Pedigree notebook: Gulfstream turf sprint double for Uncaptured
Gulfstream Park staged two stakes on Saturday, and progeny of Uncaptured won both.
Pedigree
Forte holds as 8-1 individual choice in KDFW Pool 4; 'All others' 2-1
Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) closed Sunday with stability at the very top, coupled with big market moves for a filly as well as recent winners.
Kentucky Derby
Saudi Cup Day prospectus: Country Grammer, Taiba, Elite Power among probables
Now that the projected fields for the Feb. 25 Saudi Cup Day extravaganza have been announced, let’s get a head start on the handicapping! Here are the key contenders in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) as well the five Thoroughbred stakes on the undercard.
International
Pedigree notebook: Earls Rock built upon legends ancient and modern
Earls Rock's pedigree curates a multiplicity of strains of Northern Dancer, and his female line traces to an all-time great racemare.
Pedigree
Saudi Cup: Scotland Yard building case as local hope
One year after locally-based Emblem Road stunned the world in the Saudi Cup (G1), could lightning strike twice for the same connections in the $20 million race?
Racing
Pedigree notebook: An Eclipse Awards triple for Curlin
Hall of Famer Curlin added to his historic resume by siring an extraordinary three individual champions of 2022 — Malathaat (older dirt female), Nest (three-year-old filly), and Elite Power (male sprinter).
Pedigree
Pegasus World Cup Turf international scouting report: Hurricane Dream
As Frankie Dettori’s global farewell tour takes in Pegasus Day at Gulfstream Park, the renowned reinsman reunites with Hurricane Dream in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1).
Racing
Pedigree notebook: Hot and Sultry genetic combo
Four-year-old filly Hot and Sultry continued her upward curve by capturing her stakes debut in the Jan. 21 American Beauty S. at Oaklawn Park.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3: ‘All others' 2-1, Forte 7-1
Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening with a pretty familiar look at the very top of the market, but notable movers underneath.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Nothing hidden about Occult's cross
Kentucky Oaks hopeful Occult sports the same pedigree pattern as Mandaloun.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Good Magic increases Kentucky Derby prep tally to four
Reincarnate and Dubyuhnell have become the latest sons of Good Magic to win Road to the Kentucky Derby events.
Pedigree
Pegasus World Cup 2023: Seven things to know
To help you get ready for the seventh running of the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 28, here are seven things to know about race trends, the historical background, and successful trainers.
Trends
Dubai Carnival 2023: Horses to watch from the fall season at Meydan
The Dubai World Cup Carnival begins on Jan. 6, yet the racing action has already been in full swing in the United Arab Emirates since Oct. 28.
International
12 to keep on the radar for 2023
Of the very many horses to look forward to in 2023, I’d like to highlight a dozen to keep on the radar.
Features
2022 in Review: Reilly's 10 favorite races
From the sublime Flightline to photo-finish thrillers, the 2022 racing year delivered some outstanding moments. Here’s a personal list of my 10 favorite races of the season, divided equally between North America and Europe.
Features
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Breeders' Cup Juvenile duo in KDFW Pool 2
Although his three Breeders’ Cup runners didn’t crack the trifecta on Future Stars Friday, Good Magic’s terrific start to his stallion career has warranted a stud fee hike.
Features
Flightline's Breeders' Cup Classic on the clock
Flightline’s tour de force in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) was not only visually impressive. The unbeaten superstar delivered a performance of historical proportions on the clock as well.
Breeders Cup
Under-the-radar internationals for 2022 Breeders' Cup
Plenty of international star power is on display in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup. Indeed, there are so many logical contenders that a few could be overlooked, especially those with a dark-horse vibe at Keeneland.
Breeders Cup
A clue in Aidan O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup record
It’s fitting that Aidan O’Brien’s first Breeders’ Cup runner was Second Empire.
Breeders Cup
2022 Breeders' Cup International Scouting Report: Silver Knott
It’s fascinating that Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby sends Silver Knott here, not Mysterious Night, who earned a free pass to the Juvenile Turf in his Summer romp.
Breeders Cup