A Win for Barbican

Barbican, full brother to ill-fated filly Tempera, is finally back to winning ways a year and two days after he recorded his last win.

Formerly owned by Darley, he won for his new owners Tea Party Stable and trainer Todd Beattie in only his second start for them. He won a an allowance race at Penn National as a short-priced favourite. He beat Unansweredquestion by a half length with Ice Berlin back in third.

I am glad to see him win again. Tempera was a very talented filly and a favourite of mine, so I always hoped that Barbican would follow her legacy. He never quite got there, but I am sure he can win some decent races in the near future.

(Barbican (USA) - 2003 dkbr horse - A P Indy x Colour Chart, by Mr Prospector)

Sugar Swirl Romps

Sugar Swirl did me proud yesterday. Despite the fact her main rival Lady Marlboro scratched she definitely made people turn heads. She made decisive move around the turn to draw off to a eight-and-three-quarters length win over Change Up, with Silver Knockers back in third. She recorded a time of 1.22.77 under a hand ride.

Her jockey Javier Castellano said: "She was primed and ready. There's no question about her being able to go longer based on the way she ran today. I had a ton of horse going for home."

Her next target is likely the Shirley Jones H (G2) on 22 March.

Mr Golden Ruler unfortunately finished last in the Borderland Derby

(Sugar Swirl - 2003 chestnut mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)