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Silent Tactic (Tacitus), winner of the GIII Southwest S. Feb. 6 and narrow runner-up in Sunday's GII Rebel S., will be pointed to the $1.5-million GI Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Mar. 28, per trainer Mark Casse. “I thought Cristian (Torres) gave him a good trip,” Casse said. “He was a little keener, which wasn't surprising to me because he's trained keener. He ended up settling for Cristian, but it took a little bit of doing. He was wanting to go. I think if you look at his numbers, especially if you look Rags and Thoro-Graphs and everything, he is definitely improving. Even if you watch after the race, the gallop out was good and strong. The more ground, the better.” Silent Tactic was purchased for $500,000 by agent Justin Casse on behalf of owner John Oxley at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in training. The post Silent Tactic to Arkansas Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's under-tack show for the March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale was delayed nearly an hour due to heavy fog Wednesday morning, but once it got going, it was a colt by Army Mule (hip 139) who broke through with the fastest furlong work of the day, covering the distance in :9 3/5. The Arkansas-bred was the last horse to work in the day's first set when he turned in the bullet drill for consignor Cesar Loya. “The expectations on him were pretty high, he was always very, very fast,” Loya said. “It's hard to say you expect a :9 3/5. Let's put it this way, it didn't surprise me that he went in :9 3/5. The colt is out of Marching Fire (Midnight Lute), a half-sister to multiple graded-placed Sharp Sensation (Sharp Humor) and was purchased for $57,000 at last year's Texas Thoroughbred Association Yearling Sale. “My wife [Danielle] and I went to the Texas sale and we purchased two horses and he was one of them,” Loya said. “When he came out in front of me, he was a very balanced, medium-sized horse. He's got a beautiful way of moving. What really made me go for him is I was looking at another horse on the other end of the shedrow the next day and he caught my eye and I'm like that's the Army Mule over there.” A colt from the first crop of graded winner Tale of Silence (hip 96) and a filly by Mitole (hip 168) shared the fast quarter-mile time of Wednesday's session, both covering the distance in :20 3/5. Consigned by Doble J Equine Sales, agent, the dark bay colt is out of Lemon Drop Belle (Lemon Drop Kid) and is a half-brother to stakes-placed Exxel (Tale of Ekati). He was a $14,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase. The filly, consigned by Katie Miranda's White Lilac, is out of Mission from Elle (Noble Mission {GB}), a half-sister to group-placed Cougar Ridge (Johannesburg). She was purchased for $27,000 at Keeneland last September. “We definitely expected a lot out of this filly,” Miranda said. “Simply because she had been so consistent and nice coming into the sale. She had a really nice prep and she loves this track. She looks great across it. And she is just a very smart filly. She kind of wants to be in the know about everything. And she does all of it on her own.” Hip 168 | OBS/Photos by Z Of the decision to work the chestnut filly a quarter-mile Wednesday, Miranda said, “I think she has a big, pretty stride and I liked the way the quarter was going to be able to showcase her.” The fog which enshrouded the track and caused the delay to the session's start appeared to be a fairly localized event, according to Miranda. “I actually breezed horses at my farm this morning, which is 15 minutes away, and it was totally fine,” she said. “It was just sitting heavy over OBS apparently. But it was wild. You couldn't even see from one barn to the next.” Temperatures at the outset of the show were in the low 60s, but rose quickly as the fog burned off and were in the 80s by the time the session concluded just before 3 p.m. “In March, it's kind of nice because it doesn't affect us a ton with the weather,” Miranda said of conditions throughout the day. “When you get into April and June, nobody wants to be breezing at three in the afternoon. But the track seemed really fair all day. I think they did a great job keeping that consistent.” The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning each day at 8 a.m. The OBS March sale will be held next Tuesday through Thursday. Bidding begins each day at 11 a.m. The post Army Mule Colt Fastest at OBS March Under-Tack Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Project Stamina has made good progress through its 'discover' phase. Since late January, RCP has held around 50 meetings (a mix of in-person and online) right across the country and across both Thoroughbred and Harness codes. These sessions have included racing Clubs, Recognised Industry Organisations, and the Racing Integrity Board, and have been focused on listening to stakeholders and building a clearer picture of the current state. This feedback will now feed into the next phase of work (scenario modelling), where RCP will develop future state options. There will be further engagement as this next stage develops, and we’ll keep the industry updated as key milestones are reached. The final report is targeted for end of May 2026.

HASTINGS RACECOURSEhttps://bitofayarn.com A really positive step for Hawke’s Bay - the recamber work at Hastings is tracking well and ahead of schedule. After a recent walk of the track with our consultant Liam O’Keeffe and our Head of Tracks & Infrastructure Tim Lambert, we’re happy with what we’re seeing: strong grass cover, good “give” underfoot, and encouraging signs the surface is continuing to bed in and strengthen.https://bitofayarn.com We’re now moving into the return-to-racing process, with some key milestones ahead - a stakeholder track walk in March, jump-outs and trials in April, and (subject to each step ticking off well) an Industry Day meeting pencilled in for Thursday 21 May with a six-race card under the Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc. licence.https://bitofayarn.com Plenty of work still to do, but it’s heading in the right direction - and it’ll be great to see activity building back at Hastings Racecourse. https://bitofayarn.com

MESSAGE FROM NZTR's CEO Hello and welcome to ISSUE #3 of THE RUNDOWN, NZTR’s industry update. It’s a big week for our industry – Champions Day is here, with everything building towards Saturday at Ellerslie. There’s a lot to look forward to, and it’s a great showcase of the momentum our summer programme has built.https://bitofayarn.com But before we get to the main event, it’s worth quickly covering off what’s been happening across January and February – a busy stretch of racing, projects and progress right around the country. At the TAB Karaka Millions meeting, domestic turnover was up 5% on the 2025 edition, with the Aotearoa Classic the standout performer, up 33% on last year. Initial figures from Australian turnover on the meeting have also been extremely encouraging, reflecting the continued rise in interest in our racing product from Australian participants, media and punters. The HKJC World Pool was also up in key metrics, having hosted more New Zealand races than the previous year. This is really encouraging for us as we look to grow our international racing profile. On the subject of Karaka, a huge congratulations to Sir Peter Vela, the Vela family and the entire team at New Zealand Bloodstock on delivering an exceptional 100th National Yearling Sales Series. The refreshed sale format was well received, and the final results tell a great story: turnover up almost $10 million year-on-year, more than $96 million returned to consignors and breeders from 751 horses sold, and strength right through the market with an 83% clearance rate.https://bitofayarn.com We also had a great day out at Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s Legends Day meeting on 7 February, with Legarto and First Five taking the Group 1 honours. It was an incredibly special day to be part of, where we brought nine retired superstars back to the track. The legends represented elite domestic and international success and included Catalyst (who also delighted the crowd with an exhibition gallop), Mufhasa, Royal Performer, Sir Slick, Start Wondering, Tallyho Twinkletoe, True Enough, Waisake and Xcellent. It was also a special moment for one of our great athletes, Opie Bosson, to bring up his 100th Group 1 win - becoming the third Kiwi jockey, and the first New Zealand-based rider, to reach the milestone. We’ve been working towards the 2026 NZB Kiwi for months, and now it’s game on. We held the Barrier Draw last night at the Karaka Sales Centre (more on that below), and it’s a real sign we’ve hit the final stretch ahead of the second running of the $4 million race this weekend. With the 2026 field now locked in, the trans-Tasman angle is shaping as a real talking point too. Kiwi-bred Asakura heads across the ditch under Ozzie Kheir’s slot to take on current favourite Well Written, who is quickly turning into a genuine star of the Summer. Attention now turns to Saturday, and you’ll have seen NZTR has confirmed our own slot runner – 'The People’s Horse', La Dorada. We’re rapt to have a filly of her talent representing the campaign, and we’ll share more below on how The NZB Kiwi Golden Ticket story has been tracking.https://bitofayarn.com Finally, looking ahead, New Zealand has formally received the Asian Racing Federation flag following the close of the 41st Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh - marking the official handover of hosting responsibilities to New Zealand for ARC 2028 in Auckland. Hosting ARC 2028 is a major opportunity to showcase the strength of New Zealand Thoroughbred racing and breeding, and to deepen relationships with key racing jurisdictions across Asia and beyond. https://bitofayarn.com Yours in racing, Matt Ballesty Chief Executive Officer New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing GOLDEN TICKET CAMPAIGN NZTR’s NZB Kiwi Golden Ticket campaign has extended the excitement well beyond the traditional racing audience. This year we’ve united three major sporting codes - the One New Zealand Warriors, the Blues and Auckland FC - as official partners behind NZTR’s slot runner, ‘The People’s Horse’. Fans have the chance to win thousands in cash and go in the draw for a Golden Ticket, securing a VIP stake in the horse contesting this year’s $4 million NZB Kiwi on Champions Day at Ellerslie. We’ve also recently announced the horse as La Dorada - a seriously exciting filly heading into the race, and one we’re proud to promote to the nation. A big thanks to the sporting franchises and Te Akau Racing for their support of this campaign.https://bitofayarn.com Just as importantly, this is a new audience and partnership strategy for our sport. The lead-gen competition is helping us build a new segment that we can keep engaging across major racedays over the next 12 months - connecting them with racing through simple touchpoints like ticketing, wagering, ownership and viewership. It’s a big step towards putting The NZB Kiwi, Champions Day and our wider industry on the same platform as other major sports and entertainment moments in New Zealand. The timing couldn’t be better. The launch aligns with “Footy, Fillies & Fans” from 6–8 March - a supercharged Auckland sporting weekend spanning the Warriors’ NRL season opener, Champions Day at Ellerslie, a Blues v Crusaders blockbuster at Eden Park, and Auckland FC in A-League action. It’s a genuine city-wide sporting moment, and a real opportunity to place The NZB Kiwi front and centre alongside the biggest fixtures on the calendar. View a snapshot of our NZB Kiwi Golden Ticket winners and more information by clicking the button below. NZB KIWI GOLDEN TICKET CAMPAIGN https://bitofayarn.com 2026 BARRIER DRAW - FIELD SET The 2026 NZB Kiwi took another step closer on Tuesday night at NZB's Karaka Sales Centre, with slot representatives drawing barriers in a simple (and slightly nerve-wracking) format – each rep picked a rope, which revealed their barrier banner. With the draw done, the final field is now confirmed and we’re locked in for Saturday. Barriers (1–14): Zivou (NZ) Well Written Affirmative Action Panther (NZ) To Bravery Born (NZ) La Dorada (NZ) L’Aigle Noir (NZ) Convinced (NZ) War Princess (NZ) Romanoff (NZ) Belle Cheval (NZ) Lollapalooza (NZ) He Who Dares (NZ) Asakura FULL STORY HERE https://bitofayarn.com HASTINGS RACECOURSE A really positive step for Hawke’s Bay - the recamber work at Hastings is tracking well and ahead of schedule. After a recent walk of the track with our consultant Liam O’Keeffe and our Head of Tracks & Infrastructure Tim Lambert, we’re happy with what we’re seeing: strong grass cover, good “give” underfoot, and encouraging signs the surface is continuing to bed in and strengthen. We’re now moving into the return-to-racing process, with some key milestones ahead - a stakeholder track walk in March, jump-outs and trials in April, and (subject to each step ticking off well) an Industry Day meeting pencilled in for Thursday 21 May with a six-race card under the Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc. licence. Plenty of work still to do, but it’s heading in the right direction - and it’ll be great to see activity building back at Hastings Racecourse. https://bitofayarn.com Project Stamina has made good progress through its 'discover' phase. Since late January, RCP has held around 50 meetings (a mix of in-person and online) right across the country and across both Thoroughbred and Harness codes. These sessions have included racing Clubs, Recognised Industry Organisations, and the Racing Integrity Board, and have been focused on listening to stakeholders and building a clearer picture of the current state. This feedback will now feed into the next phase of work (scenario modelling), where RCP will develop future state options. There will be further engagement as this next stage develops, and we’ll keep the industry updated as key milestones are reached. The final report is targeted for end of May 2026. https://bitofayarn.com 2026 NZB KIWI CONDITIONS AND WEIGHTS With the NZB Kiwi now just a couple of days away, and as a key part of the Champions Raceday programme, a quick refresher on the race conditions and where weights are currently tracking. The NZB Kiwi is run under 3YO set weights and penalties - 57.0kg for colts/geldings and 55.0kg for fillies. Penalties apply for winners (and they’re not cumulative): +3.0kg for a Group 1 winner +2.0kg for a Group 2 winner +1.5kg for a Group 3 winner (or a winner of three or more races) +1.0kg for a Listed winner (or a winner of two races) -1.0kg maiden allowance Weights have Romanoff as top weight on 60.0kg, with Well Written and La Dorada both on 58.0kg, and Belle Cheval on 56.5kg - with the Southern Hemisphere's richest 3YO race shaping as a quality contest. It’s also been great to see Well Written’s TAB Karaka Millions 3YO performance recognised internationally, with an assigned international rating of 115! As part of our commitment to life after racing, our Welfare Team was proud to partner with the Milford NZ Polo Open - highlighting the important role Thoroughbreds play beyond the racetrack. Around 30% of retired racehorses go on to polo careers, which is a great reflection of the breed’s versatility, athleticism and temperament. Supporting this event is another way we’re shining a light on meaningful second careers and backing the welfare of our horses long after they leave the starting gates. On the day, retrained Thoroughbreds were easy to spot through the green #NZOTTB stickers as they competed for the Best Playing Thoroughbred prize - supported by funding from the 1% Welfare Levy.https://bitofayarn.com To bring it to life, we’ve also captured a short feature with international polo great JP Clarkin, sharing the impact Thoroughbreds have had on the sport - and the strong links between racing and polo.

The Jockey Club of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee held its annual review of the graded and listed races in Canada, choosing to downgrade the British Columbia Derby from grade 3 to listed status and elevating the Algonquin Stakes to a grade 3. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Pinseeker’s hopes of making one of the strongest Miracle Mile fields for 20 years could rest on how the first 150 metres plays out at Menangle on Saturday night. If Jonny Cox can get across from gate two to head-off pole-marker The Janitor and find the pegs, it will be a huge boost to Pinseeker’s prospects. Only a top two finish in a star-studded $75,000 Bioworma Sprint (11.10pm) will guarantee Pinseeker a spot in the elite eight-horse Miracle Mile a week later. He still has a chance of sneaking into the Mile through one of the two “discretionary” spots with a top three finish. To finish top two or three, realistically Pinseeker will need to find the markers pegs when you consider his rivals include The Janitor, Kingman, Rakero Rocket, Swayzee, Eye Keep Smiling and even old marvel Max Delight. “At first I thought I could drop straight in behind The Janitor, but now I’ve gone back and looked, he doesn’t seem to have all that much early speed,” Cox said. “I think we’ve got to see if we can get across him at the start, find the pegs and go from there.” Cox would then almost certainly take a trail on Rakero Rocket, who looks like being first of the big guns to get alongside whoever leads early and press for the front. “It’s hard to go in with too much of a set plan, but obviously the pegs is the place to be if we can get there, especially in a field like this,” he said. “There are four or five of the very best horses in Australasia across the two qualifiers this week and we’ve got a couple in our race, but we always knew how hard it was going to be.” Cox arrived back at Luke McCarthy’s Cobbitty stables on Tuesday morning and was pleased with how Pinseeker looked. “He’s put on a bit of weight, so he’s come through that last run well,” he said. “Luke’s been happy with his work and if Luke’s happy, then I’m happy. “He looks good, we’ve got a good draw and we’ll give it our best.” NZ and Victoria Cup winner Kingman (gate eight) is $3 favourite from Rakero Rocket (five, $3.20), The Janitor ($3.40) and Swayzee (12, $5). Pinseeker is a $12 chance. In the first qualifier, Leap To Fame (gate four) has been crunched from $2.40 into $1.95, from Don Hugo (one, $2.70), Hi Manameisjeff (five, $4.80). The Mark Purdon-owned Chase A Dream, now with Jason Grimson, is $19 from a wide draw (gate nine). Former brilliant Kiwi mare Captains Mistress continues to shorten to become just the fourth mare to win the $250,000 Group 1 Chariots Of Fire on Saturday night. Unbeaten in five runs for Grimson, she has firmed from $1.10 to $1.04 since drawing to lead from gate three. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz Strong lead-up form and an ideal draw has trainer Rod MacKenzie confident about Carolan Questro’s chances at Cambridge tonight. The five-year-old mare will line up in Race 4, the Drax Project At Night Of Champions Junior Drivers Mobile Pace (2200 metres). Having drawn the ace, MacKenzie says Carolan Questro will be heading for the front. “She’s got tons of early speed and she’ll lead early,” he says. The daughter of A Rocknroll Dance has been carefully managed throughout her career, and MacKenzie is eager to see her continue building on recent performances. Carolan Questro is lightly-raced, having had only six career starts for one win and two placings. Her debut as a three-year-old did not go to plan, prompting MacKenzie to give her a break. “I’ve done everything with her. I gave her a start as a three-year-old and finished a furlong last, she went so poorly I gave her a two-year spell,” he said. That early spell allowed the mare time to mature and come back stronger. She returned to the track in early January and produced a strong fresh-up win. Her most recent run on February 4 was also encouraging. She was narrowly beaten into second place, going down by less than a length despite a sharp 57.9 last half. “It was very good, she got a great trip and it was what I expected from her. She’s pulled up 100%,” MacKenzie says. Regular driver Emily Johnson will again be in the sulky tonight. Carolan Questro opened a $5.50 second favourite, behind the Arna Donnelly-trained Ragnar Lothbrok ($4.40). ” I’ll be happy if she gets it done, any win is a good win,” says MacKenzie. View the full article

The biggest move made in this week's poll was the jump made by Explora (Blame) after her game win in the GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn. She jumped from seventh to third. The latest list also includes She Be Smooth (Lexitonian), who lands at No. 4 after her impressive win in the GII Davona Dale Stakes. It will be a quiet weekend for the 3-year-old filly division, but they will run the rescheduled GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes Sunday at Santa Anita. All eyes will be on last year's 2-year-old filly champ Super Corredora (Gun Runner), who will be trying to rebound after a disappointing showing in the Las Virgenes Stakes. So, here goes, your latest Top 10: 1) ZANY (American Pharoah–Mo' Green, by Uncle Mo) O-Repole Stable; B-D.J. Stable (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $350,000 yrl '24 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0, $221,500. Last Start: Won Feb. 7 Suncoast Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 30. The Mike Repole-owned filly was last seen winning the Feb. 7 Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and remains in a holding pattern until she makes her next scheduled start in the Apr. 3 GI Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. As she didn't exactly blow them away in the Suncoast, the Ashland will be a big test for her and a win there would likely solidify her role as the betting favorite in the Oaks. She's on a regular work pattern for Todd Pletcher at his Palm Beach Downs headquarters, working a half-mile each time. “She's doing great,” said Pletcher, who has acknowledged that there are some issues with Zany changing leads in a smooth fashion. “Anytime any of them don't do everything perfectly, it worries you. She has a tendency when she changes to her right lead in the stretch, she wants to drift in a little bit. She's a very big, long filly and she just needs a little bit of space to get her balance, to make that lead change. She's also a very curious filly and she kind of takes everything in and looks around.” 2) BELLA BALLERINA (Street Sense–Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P Walsh. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 3-3-0-0, $301,525. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard.' Last Start: Won Feb. 14 GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 60. Terrific pedigree. Owned and bred by Godolphin. Trained by the talented Brendan Walsh. With this one checking so many boxes, she belongs in the No. 2 spot. She's coming off a half-length win in the GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes. It was not an overpowering performance, but Walsh has predicted that she will “improve a ton” in her next start. That will come in the Mar. 21 GII Fair Grounds Oaks, which always seems to produce top runners for the Kentucky Oaks. To date, 10 fillies have completed the Fair Grounds Oaks / Kentucky Oaks double. The last to do so was 2025 Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro). The list also includes the great Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro). 3) EXPLORA (Blame–Collections Choice, by Bernardini) O-Michael Pegram, Karl Watson & Paul Weitman; B-Mesingw Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $22,000 yrl '24 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '25 FTMMAY. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard.' Lifetime Record: GSW & MGISP, 7-4-3-2, $1,064,250. Last Start: Won Mar. 1 GIII Honeybee Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 95. All is now forgiven for her defeat as the 4-5 favorite in the Las Virgenes, where she was cooked in a speed duel. She rebounded with a game win in Oaklawn's Honeybee Stakes for Bob Baffert. Like Zany and Bella Ballerina, she was not overly impressive, winning by just three-quarters of a length. But it was an important win that showed that she's back on track. Baffert switched riders for the race, going from Juan Hernandez to Eclipse Award-winner Flavien Prat. Hernandez is good, but Prat may just be in a league of his own. Baffert has not announced where Explora will run next, but he loves to win at Oaklawn, so the Mar. 27 GII Fantasy Stakes would make sense. 4) SHE BE SMOOTH (Lexitonian–Seattle Smooth, by Quiet American) O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $162,320. Last Start: Won the Feb. 28 GII Davona Dale Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. It was hard to see this one coming. Though She Be Smooth broke her maiden by 2 1/4-lengths in her first start, she was clearly in tough in the one-mile Davona Dale. But not only did she win, she blew the field away, winning by six lengths and she earned a 91 Beyer figure. The big question going forward will be her ability to negotiate two turns. Both of her wins have come at Gulfstream in one-turn, one-mile races. She Be Smooth is a homebred from Calumet Farm, which also stands her sire, Lexitonian. Lexitonian was a confirmed sprinter who never raced beyond a mile, and recorded his most important win in the GI Alfred Vanderbilt Handicap at six furlongs. Keep an eye on what Prat decides. He rides this filly and Explora. Trainer Todd Pletcher said he will consider the Ashland for She Be Smooth, but it looks like the Mar. 28 GII Gulfstream Park Oaks will likely be her next start. She Be Smooth winning the Davona Dale | Lauren King 5) MEANING (Gun Runner–Figure of Speech, by Into Mischief) O-Bridlewood Farm & Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Stonehaven Steadings (KY); T-Michael McCarthy. Sales history: $440,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-0-0, $187,000. Last Start: Won Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 26. That she beat Explora in the Las Virgenes and Explora came back to win the Honeybee makes this one's credentials look all the better. But it should be remembered that she enjoyed a perfect trip in the Las Virgenes, sitting off a speed duel that involved Explora. She worked Saturday at Santa Anita, going four furlongs in :48.80. Trainer Michael McCarthy has said that the Apr. 4 GII Santa Anita Oaks will be next for his filly. Owned by the partnership of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bridlewood Farm, Meaning was bought for $440,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September. For a Gun Runner filly that has turned out to be talented, that looks like a bargain. 6) LUV YOUR NEIGHBOR (Constitution–Disobedient, by Into Mischief) O-Lael Stables; B-Anderson Farms Ont Inc & 552727 Ontario Ltd (ON); T-Michael Stidham. Sales history: $350,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 6-1-4-0, $164,071. Last Start: 2nd Feb. 14 GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. Stepped up to run a huge race in the Rachel Alexandra, finishing second, just a half-length behind Bella Ballerina. It was her first start with Luis Saez aboard. He took over for Axel Concepcion. She's run second four straight times and her only win came in her first lifetime start. That came on Sept. 10 at Colonial Downs, where she won by a nose. She will, obviously, need to get over the hump before she can beat the very best of this division. 7) LIFE OF JOY (Gun Runner–Jordayn's Leo, by Malibu Moon) O-Will Stroud, Andrew Farm, Mountmellick Farm & For the People Racing Stable LLC; B-Springhouse Farm (KY); T-Brad H Cox. Sales history: $375,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-1-0, $180,260. Last Start: Second in Feb. 7 Suncoast Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 22. Another filly who has been ridden by Prat, so Brad Cox will likely need to start shopping for a new rider. She should probably be rated lower than seventh, but gets the nod in this position because of Cox. He's won the Oaks three times over a span of eight runnings. Life of Joy turned in a solid effort behind Zany in the Suncoast, finishing second. She also held her own against Bella Ballerina when fourth in the Golden Rod. Before that, she was a 2 1/4-length winner of the Rags to Riches Stakes. The Fair Grounds Oaks will be next for her. 8) COUNTING STARS (Honor A.P.–Paynterbynumbers, by Paynter) O-West Point Thoroughbreds; B-HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud (KY); T-Mark Casse. Sales History: $13,000 yrl '24 KEESEP; $150,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP, 6-3-1-0, $37,356. Last Start: Second Mar. 1 GIII Honeybee Stakes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 25. Bought for just $150,000 at the OBS Spring Sale, this filly makes the list after finishing a game second behind Explora in the Honeybee. Considering that she was beaten 60 lengths in her prior start in the Martha Washington Stakes, it was a stunning turnaround for the Mark Casse-trained filly. But she was also good enough to win the Year's End Stakes at Oaklawn by six lengths. She is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, which hasn't had much luck so far this year with Super Corredora. Could this one turn out to be their Oaks filly? 9) SEARCH PARTY (Gun Runner–Devious Charm, by Into Mischief) O/B-Tracy Farmer (KY); T-Mark Casse. Lifetime Record: 7-2-1-2, $276,211. Last Start: Fourth GIII Honeybee Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 30. Another Casse horse who merits a second look. It took her four starts to break her maiden, but once the light bulb went off, she's been good. She won an Oaklawn maiden by six lengths and came right back to win the Martha Washington by a neck. Impeccably bred, she is by Gun Runner out of an Into Mischief mare. Casse has admitted that she has to improve to be an “Oaks filly,” but it looks like he has her headed in the right direction. Casse also has the undefeated French Friction (City of Light), who has yet to run beyond six furlongs, but could also emerge as an Oaks candidate. 10) LABWAH (Charlatan–War Tigress, by War Chant) O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Maktoum; B-Calvin Crane (KY); T-Salem Bin Ghadayer. Sales History: $125,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-3-0-0, $232,612. Last Start: Won Feb. 20 G3 UAE Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. The G3 UAE Oaks is not necessarily where you'd expect to find a candidate for the Kentucky Oaks, but Labwah, who is by Charlatan and is a Kentucky-bred, should not be ignored. She's won three in a row and galloped to a 7 1/2-length win in the listed Dubai event. It is possible she will run next G2 UAE Derby in an effort to gain enough points to make it into the GI Kentucky Derby. After the win in the UAE Oaks, trainer Salem bin Ghadayer told reporters, “I will go back to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan [bin Mohammed Al Maktoum] as she was his pick from the breeze-up sale. I will ask him what he wants to do. But she is ready for both options [the Oaks or Derby].” The post The TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Mar. 5: Explora Makes a Big Move appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Silent Tactic will be pointed to the March 28 Arkansas Derby (G1) following his nose loss to Class President in the March 1 Rebel Stakes (G2).View the full article

As part of her 2025 highlight reel, Nitrogen won five stakes on turf, four in graded company, before capturing one of North America's most prestigious races for 3-year-old fillies on the dirt, the Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

The 2026 Thoroughbred stakes season at Woodbine kicks off April 18 and ends in December. Notable races include the 167th King's Plate and Woodbine Mile (G1T). View the full article

In recent weeks, Forever Young has won the world's richest race for the second time, Ka Ying Rising has set a new record in winning 18 consecutive races, Romantic Warrior landed his 13th Group 1 contest, and Rebel's Romance posted his 21st career victory. They have respectively earned the equivalent of approximately £23m, £13m, £26m and £12m. It would seem that there has never been a better time to own a top-class racehorse. Calandagan, the world's top-rated racehorse in 2025, has just turned five and may be seen next in the $6m Dubai Sheema Classic, depending on the situation in the Gulf region in a few weeks' time. He has clocked up £6.2m in earnings, and then there is his bonus of approximately $3m (2.2m) for winning the Japan Cup, having also landed at least one of a series of races around the world designed to entice overseas horses to Tokyo in late November. Ka Ying Rising looks to be about to chart a similar course to last year, which would see him launch a repeat bid on The Everest at Randwick in October. His 2025 victory in Sydney was the sole start for the five-year-old away from his home track of Sha Tin, not counting his dazzling barrier trial in his native New Zealand some three years ago. The David Hayes-trained gelding had been top of the wish list for Ascot's Nick Smith, whose job it is to sign up overseas challengers for Royal Ascot, the King George and British Champions Day. Ka Ying Rising appearing in Berkshire this summer seems unlikely to happen this year at least. Hayes recently told Ray Thomas of Australia's Racing and Sports, “Maybe after a couple of Everests we might think about going to Royal Ascot but at the moment we are staying with the plan to give him three more runs in Hong Kong this season then prepare for Sydney and The Everest again.” Smith, the director of racing and public affairs at Ascot, says, “When you're looking in from an American, Japanese or Australian point of view about sending horses to compete in Britain, you're only talking about sending them to compete in Group 1s. And regardless of the fact that we've made some pretty positive changes across the programme, [Britain's Group 1 races] still compare unfavourably with global Group 1s.” Smith does however cite the rising prize-money in Britain – in the upper echelons at least – as cause for cheer in Europe. He says, “Actually we are a very appealing destination now for French, German and Irish horses because they're competing across the [European] Pattern. And, therefore, the opportunities for those nations and the motivation to run horses in Britain has probably never have been higher.” Ka Ying Rising's jockey Zac Purton has previously been a little less diplomatic than Hayes when discussing the chances of Ka Ying Rising running at Royal Ascot, describing British prize-money as “hopeless”. But is it though? Trainers of horses in the lower ranks may well agree that it is, and the Class 5 and 6 races do feel more squeezed than ever. Some participants within British racing are calling for these races not to receive Levy Board funding and for the tracks who host them to find the money for this lower tier through executive contributions and sponsorship alone. There has, however, been a determined approach in Britain to raise the prize-money at the higher end. For some time now, the financial rewards for black-type races in Britain have compared favourably with those on offer in Ireland and France, and the minimum values have risen again this year. Ireland, too, has seen increases in this sector, while France, which has been forced to reduce in prize-money for 2026 by €20.3m, has imposed decreases in most black-type tiers bar Group 1 races. It is worth noting, however, that the figures in the accompanying tables (below) do not include the owners' and breeders' premiums available to French-bred horses on top of prize-money. Also, Britain, unlike France and Ireland, has a lower set of minimum values for its two-year-old black-type programme. Dr Jim Walker, president of Britain's Racehorse Owners Association and owner of the Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist, took issue with the focus on the top end in a recent column in Owner Breeder magazine, particularly in regard to the announcement by the Jockey Club of a £1.35m increase in prize-money for the 2026 Derby Festival. This included £500,000 extra in prize-money for the Betfred Derby – bringing the total purse to £2m – and for the Coolmore Coronation Cup, which is now worth £1m. “Thirty-six per cent of £97.7m in Flat-race prize-money in 2025 went to Class 1 (i.e. Pattern) races. If we assumed that the horses competing in those races were rated 95 or better, less than 10% of the horse population vied for £35m (and a lot of it went to Ireland anyway),” Walker noted. “Meanwhile, at the bottom end, owners of the 4,500 horses rated 70 and below – more than half the Flat racehorse population – competed for £22m.” His column concluded, “What the 'elite sport' brigade seems to forget is that every building needs foundations. The almost 50% of horses running in Classes 5 and 6 are the foundation of our sport. The owners of these horses are giving a home to the animals that the top trainers and top owners happily discard after a couple of runs or even a few training gallops that suggest they are sub-par. Without a strong foundation, the whole house will fall down. “The Premier League, which [former Jockey Club chief executive] Mr Truesdale wishes to emulate in racing, ensures the supply of future talent by funding lower leagues. That is smart thinking. If the Jockey Club had looked at the bigger picture and announced half a million pounds in enhanced prize-money for Classes 4, 5 and 6 across its venues – a material difference to keep small owners in the sport – I would have been cheering louder than anyone.” Plenty in British racing will share Dr Walker's sentiments. Plenty of others will applaud the focus on high-end races – an approach aimed at retaining the best horses to race in a country which is one of the acknowledged world leaders of thoroughbred breeding, and at enticing some of the best around the world to race on these shores. Smith takes a different view to Walker. He says, “This is about maintaining Britain's preeminent position on the global stage as a place to have horses in training above everything else. And if we're not a destination for championship-level horses, then these owners won't have horses in training with us going forward. “It is only the top end of the sport that creates the halo effect for everything else underneath it. And if that halo continues to dim, then there's going to be consequences in five to ten years' time. “Developmental races are fundamental to the whole programme. Prize-money should be allocated towards the Pattern and towards developmental races as a matter of absolute priority and everything else fits in. If you don't promote and enhance the top of the pyramid, the pyramid will just shrink and no one will make any progress.” He adds, “But to be absolutely clear, it would be completely wrong for Ascot and courses like it to only focus on the top end. We've put prize money up across almost 50% of our entire programme, including not just the developmental races but also the lower-grade handicaps. So we are specifically this year spreading the prize-money increases much wider.” In that key middle tier of racing, there has been focused funding from sponsors Juddmonte, Darley, Tattersalls, and the British EBF as well as from the BHA's development fund to stage a series of high-value maiden and novice races. Finding the balance between the opposite ends of the spectrum is not easy, especially when set against a background of turbulence within the British horseracing. The latest twist in that long-running tale has been the announcement on Tuesday of the resignation of British Horseracing Authority chair Lord Allen after only six months in the post. Whichever way you happen to veer in the prize-money argument, there is no denying the determination among some of the major tracks in Britain – which in recent years have benefited from extra income derived from hosting World Pool fixtures – to raise the appeal of flagship meetings. Prior to the Jockey Club's announcement regarding Epsom, Ascot had announced last summer that this year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes would become the first race in Britain to be run at £2m. York has raised the prize-money for the Juddmonte International to £1.5m (from £1.25m), while in 2025, the the Coral-Eclipse stakes was run at £1m for the first time. At Royal Ascot, which this year is worth a total of £19.4m, two races – the Prince of Wales's Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes are run for £1m each while the remaining six Group 1 contests offer a prize fund of at least £700,000. The Qipco-sponsored British Champions Day, which is funded by stakeholders Ascot, the Jockey Club, York, Goodwood, and Great British Racing as an 'industry day', is Britain's richest race day at £4.35m, with the Champion Stakes being worth £1.3m and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes run for £1.1m. These are far from derisory sums. Admittedly, with a rapidly expanding network of high-value races in the Middle East, and significant expansion of the Australian programme to include some newer races such as The Everest, The Golden Eagle and The Quokka, it is hard for Britain to lay up in some areas, but as the accompanying table of some of the world's most valuable races shows, the situation is far from Purton's assertion of “hopeless”. That said, Smith says that headhunting international runners to race in Britain has become harder than ever. He does however say that here have been “positive noises” about Masquerade Ball, who on Tuesday was ruled out of travelling from Japan to the Dubai Sheema Classic, coming to Ascot for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The Chris Waller-trained Australian sprinter Joliestar is also likely to head to Royal Ascot. “The difference now to how it was 10 years ago is unbelievable,” he says. “I used to go to Australia with the confidence of getting seven or eight entries, three or four runners. Japan has always been a bit of a struggle, but America built from nothing, and we used to get horses from Hong Kong much more regularly. “The prestige only takes you so far. Myself and William Derby [York] and Ed Arkell [Goodwood] and and indeed Sophie Able from the Jockey Club, we spend an awful lot of time talking to connections, and it's the same redounding message all the time and that's 'We'd probably love to race in the UK more than anywhere else in the world, but we can't justify it'.” Ascot is still very much holding its own, however, and it staged three of the top-ten-rated races in the world last year, including the Qipco Champion Stakes, which tied at the top of the table with the Japan Cup. Sandown's Coral-Eclipse also made a top-ten appearance, and the Betfred Coronation Cup, Juddmonte International and Betfred 2,000 Guineas were all in the top 20. In fact, Britain led the way in 2025 with 20 of the top 100 Group/Grade 1 races in the Longines World Rankings, ahead of Australia (19), America (16), Japan (15), Hong Kong (11), France (10), Ireland (4), United Arab Emirates (3), Germany (1), and Saudi Arabia (1). The key challenge now is to stay out in front. The post British Black-Type Prize-Money is Best in Europe but Challenges Remain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 20:35, RAS AL KHOR SPONSORED BY EMAAR-G3, AED850,000, 3yo/up, 1400mT Field: Elnajmm (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Witness Stand (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}), Marbaan (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Chicago Critic (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), New Century (GB) (Kameko), Andreas Vesalius (Ire) (Caravaggio), Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Vafortino (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Khanjar (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Two Tribes (GB) (Rajasinghe {Ire}), English Oak (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Fort Payne (Fr) (Rio De La Plata), Hawksbill (GB) (Kameko), Dubai Treasure (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). TDN Analysis: Despite the ongoing regional conflict, racing remains on for now at Meydan, and the one-two finishers from last year's edition have returned to lock horns once again. Marbaan bested Grade I winner Mysterious Night in 2025, and the latter is reportedly in “good order” per trainer Charlie Appleby. Marbaan has been drawn in nine, with Mysterious Night booked in lucky stall 13. G2 Al Fahidi Fort hero Elnajmm is the leader of the field on ratings and is “spot on” per trainer Michael Costa. He will start from gate three. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: Marbaan Aims For Ras Al Khor Title Defence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-OP, 110K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 4:04 p.m. QUITE BAFFLING (Gun Runner) impressed enough at OBS March last year, breezing a quarter in :21.1, to warrant a $750,000 final bid from Case Clay Thoroughbred Management on behalf of owner Wathnan Racing. Debuting around two turns, Quite Baffling is a daughter of the unraced Graydar mare Baffling, herself a half-sister to MGISW and successful sire Constitution (Tapit). Another half-sister, GSW Jacaranda (Congrats), has produced SW/GISP Be You (Curlin). The only first-time starter in the field is trained by Steve Asmussen who will leg up son Keith for the ride. TJCIS PPS 6th-GP, 84K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 3:22 p.m. A pair of fillies, drawn on opposite sides of the gate, both debut Thursday to top connections in Florida. Inside, Pippa Adds (Yaupon) is a Todd Pletcher trainee for Spendthrift Farm who acquired her SW/MGSP dam for $800,000 at Keeneland November in 2020. That mare, Motion Emotion, has already produced GSW Accelerize (Omaha Beach). Outside, Dad's Two Sense (Street Sense) is the first foal out of Harvey Clarke homebred and GISW Havey's Lil Goil (American Pharoah). That mare, who in addition to winning the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup also placed in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf along with the GI Alabama, is a half-sister to GSW/MGISP Gosger (Nyquist). This is also the family of Champion 3-year-old and winner of two-thirds of the Triple Crown, I'll Have Another (Flower Alley). TJCIS PPS The post Thursday Insights: Gun Runner Filly Leads Thursday Maidens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ticket and hospitality on-sale dates for the 2026 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which will open on Friday, July 3, and continue through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, were announced by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Wednesday. Season tickets will go on sale on Thursday, Mar. 12, for the 46-day summer meet and include reserved seating in the Clubhouse, Grandstand and Michelob Ultra Stretch. A season pass, which provides general admission for all 46 days, is available as a mobile ticket for $94 or a traditional physical pass for $99 and includes admission for both Whitney and the DraftKings Travers. Season tickets and season passes may be purchased online at NYRA.com/Saratoga/Tickets. Full-space group hospitality reservations will be available beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Mar. 5 for 1863 Club Suites, as well as for the Paddock Suite and Spa Verandas presented by Casamigos. Reservations may be made by phone at 855-NYRA-123 or by email at premiumsales@nyrainc.com. The post NYRA Announces Ticket and Hospitality On-Sale Dates for Saratoga Summer Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Come in Chief

Splendora highlights the Beholder Mile (G1), while Gas Me Up and El Potente battle in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G2T). View the full article

The stakes schedule for the 2026 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine Racetrack, set to kick off on Apr. 18, was released by Woodbine Entertainment Wednesday. Woodbine's 2026 racing season is highlighted by two $1-million classics: the 167th King's Plate Aug. 15, and the GI Woodbine Mile Sept. 12. The full stakes schedule consists of 39 graded stakes, including five Grade I events. “We're very proud of our stakes program at Woodbine and eagerly anticipate a season filled with outstanding competition,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “We look forward to welcoming our racing community and fans back to the track on Apr. 18 for the start of another exciting racing season.” The renovation of Woodbine's E.P. Taylor Turf Course, which prompted adjustments to last year's stakes calendar, remains on schedule for completion by September 2026. Turf Champions Day on Saturday, Sept. 12 will put the eyes of the racing world on Woodbine with four Grade I Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” races. The card is headlined by the ​$1-million Woodbine Mile, $750,000 E.P. Taylor S., $500,000 Johnnie Walker Natalma S. and $500,000 bet365 Summer S. ​ To view the entire stakes schedule on Woodbine's website, click here. The post King’s Plate, Woodbine Mile Top Woodbine’s Stakes Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Scorthy Champ has his first mares scanned in foal. The son of Mehmas stands at Barton Stud for £8,500 this year. The National Stakes hero was trained by Joseph O'Brien for an ownership group including Rectory Road Holdings, Barry Fowler and Annemarie O'Brien. Besides his win at the highest level, the chestnut full-brother to multiple group winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf second Malavath and G3 Horris Hill Stakes scorer Knight was third in the G2 Futurity Stakes. The trio are out of Fidaaha (New Approach). Barton's managing director, Tom Blain said, “Scorthy Champ is being strongly supported in his first season. His book already includes multiple black-type winners and producers. He has settled well into his new career and is an exceptionally exciting prospect.” The post First Mares Scanned In Foal To Scorthy Champ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first six out of seven mares bred checked in foal to Hill 'n' Dale Farms stallion Barnes (Into Mischief), a multiple graded stakes winner and $3.2-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling. The first mare bred and checked in foal to Barnes was Private Collection (Curlin). Her second dam is GISW Madcap Escapade (Hennessy). This is also the family of GISW Mi Sueno (Pulpit). Barnes stands at Hill 'n' Dale for $15,000. The post First Mares Checked in Foal to Barnes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer David Fawkes issued an upbeat report on Alex and JoAnn Lieblong's Reef Runner (The Big Beast) as he continues his preparations for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse on Mar. 28. “He's doing excellent,” Fawkes said. “Obviously I've got to do a lot by video or telephone, but watching him train, he loves it there and he's doing great.” The 5-year-old is taking everything in his stride according to Fawkes in spite of the intermittent military activity taking place around him at the sprawling facility, which is situated just six miles from Central Dubai and roughly 12 miles from Dubai International Airport, which has sustained some minor damage during the first week of the hostilities. “Seriously, nothing bothers that horse, he's bombproof,” Fawkes said, dark humor intended. “I am super happy with him. He's gained a little weight, beefed up a little bit, but that isn't a bad thing, though you do worry about fitness to some degree.” To that end, Fawkes indicated that Reef Runner's training will intensify over the coming weeks. “He is going to open-gallop this weekend, just a real strong half-mile or five-eighths and then come back the following weekend with a half-mile work or five-eighths, I haven't decided yet,” Fawkes said. “The week after that, he comes back for a maintenance half before he runs.” Fawkes is hopeful that Reef Runner's current purple patch of form continues into the Al Quoz. Demoted from an apparent victory in Del Mar's GIII Green Flash Handicap in August–which would have earned him a guaranteed Breeders' Cup berth–the homebred was a convincing winner of the GIII Eddie D. Stakes at Santa Anita the following month. Good morning, REEF RUNNER The Saudi 1351 Turf Sprint winner is settling in well to Dubai ahead of the G1 Al Quoz Sprint. #DWC26 pic.twitter.com/w8fAbNUhJM — Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 2, 2026 A respectable fourth in the Turf Sprint back at Del Mar on Nov. 1, the Florida-bred rolled home to take out Gulfstream's Janus Stakes Dec. 20 ahead of his success in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard Feb. 14. Left in his wake that afternoon was dual Group 1 winner Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}). The Al Quoz presents American runners in particular with a new challenge in that they are faced with a straight six-furlong trip. But Fawkes thinks Reef Runner will be up to the task. “He's not a good lead changer, but when it's not five-eighths and he's not under any pressure, he switches his leads beautifully, like he did in the Saudi race,” Fawkes said. “When I gelded him, he switched easier, but he can still be sluggish. One thing I've been told by many people is that horses that are sluggish with their lead changes do well in these straight races.” Fawkes's relationship with the Lieblongs stretches back fully three decades and for the couple, he has trained the likes of four-time graded winner and $1.9-million earner Duke of Mischief (Graeme Hall). The conditioner admits the win in Riyadh on Valentine's Day was one of the crowning moments of his career. “It meant a super-lot to me,” he admitted. “We got disqualified in the 'Win and You're In' and he did not deserve that. The ripple effects of those kind of things are dramatic in terms of breeding a horse like that. These guys have put so much into the game and to own the stallion and the broodmare, that means a lot to them. “A few years ago, Alex said, 'I want to have fun again.' I said, 'Let's do it, let's have fun.' But the best was his wife. If you could see the picture of her with her hands over her mouth, it's a wonderful picture. It means a lot to me that it means so much to them.” Given the current travel restrictions in place in the region and advisories issued by the U.S. State Department, Fawkes is not relying on American-based jockeys being able to make the trip. With that in mind, he said he has had conversations with top rider William Buick, though nothing has been firmed up as yet. Irad Ortiz, Jr. had the mount in the 1351 Turf Sprint. The post ‘Bombproof’ Reef Runner Thriving In Dubai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This year's Santa Anita Handicap (G1) has an expected field of six after the scratch of probable favorite Skippylongstocking following travel difficulties.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 03/02/2026 Licensee: Angela M. Aquino, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Golf Drama, who won at Los Alamitos on 1/11/26. Dates: 02/27/2026 Licensee: Michelle R. Winters, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Diosa Catrina, who finished sixth at Mahoning Valley on 1/22/26. Dates: 02/27/2026 Licensee: Jose Puentes, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Whisky My God on 1/14/26. Dates: 02/26/2026 Licensee: Richard Dutrow, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Dame Cinco, who won at Aqueduct on 6/21/24. Dates: 02/25/2026 Licensee: Caryn Vecchio, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. The following cases are treated as one violation. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in samples taken from Poppy's Pride, who won at Mahoning Valley on 1/22/26, and won at Mahoning Valley on 1/5/26. Dates: 02/25/2026 Licensee: James M. Watkins, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Smart Joker, who won at Fairmount Park on 9/16/25. Pending ADMC Violations 03/04/2026, Santiago Medina, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Feeling Macho, who won at Gulfstream Park on 1/16/25. 03/04/2026, Edward Freeman, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Emma G, who won at Los Alamitos on 12/12/25. 03/02/2026, Michael V. Pino, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Tramadol–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Samantha's Capo, who finished second at Park Racing on 1/12/26. 02/27/2026, Victor Carrasco, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sea Art on 2/3/26. 02/27/2026, Miguel Penaloza, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Maliblue, who won at Parx Racing on 1/14/26. 02/27/2026, Carlos A. David, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Caffeine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from One Sweet Girl, who won at Gulfstream Park on 11/23/25. 02/27/2026, Drew C. Fulmer, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Amphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Unified A.P., who won at Turf Paradise on 11/15/25. 02/26/2026, Katherine M. Voss, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Upshot on 1/23/26. 02/25/2026, J. Guadalupe Guerrero, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Testosterone–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Can't Stop a Chub, who according to Equibase suffered a catastrophic injury to her right hind midrace in the third at Parx Racing on 7/22/25, and was subsequently euthanized. Crop Violations Aqueduct Gokhan Kocakaya–violation date February 27; $500 fine, one-day suspension Manuel Franco–violation date February 26; $250 fine, one-day suspension Sunland Park Victor Castro–violation date March 2; $500 fine, two-day suspension Turfway Park Summer L. Pauly–violation date February 28; $41 fine, no other information Jose R. Gutierrez–violation date February 28; $32 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly National Rulings: Feb. 26-Mar. 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Raging Torrent (by Maximus Mischief), new to the Lane's End roster for 2026, has his first mare confirmed in foal, according to a press release from the stallion operation on Wednesday. Owned by V. Gail Ray and Ramspring Farm, the covered mare is She'srunninghappy (Runhappy), who produced her second foal–a filly by Timberlake–Jan. 14. Out of an extended female family which includes GSW He Loves Me (Not For Love), the current 7-year-old is a half-sister to Canadian GSW Easy Time (Not This Time) and MSW Softly Lit (Latent Heat). As for Raging Torrent, he won at first asking in his 2-year-old debut at Del Mar and hit the board in the GIII Best Pal Stakes over the same surface. Turning a year older, the Chief Stipe O'Neill trainee cleared an allowance at Churchill Downs, where he scored by 8 1/4 lengths. During a span where he won six of seven, Raging Torrent took the Maxfield Overnight Stakes in Louisville and captured the GII Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar. Raging Torrent capped his 2024 season with his first top level victory in the GI Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita. Facing an international field in the G2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan, O'Neill's charge kicked off his 4-year-old campaign with a successful trip to Dubai. Returning to the U.S., the future sire went gate to wire in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap to close out his career around the racetrack with $1,797,400 in earnings. The new Lane's End stallion stands for $15,000. The post First Mare In Foal To New Lane’s End Stallion Raging Torrent appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article