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Crafting legislation that works for racing was just one idea discussed during a March 4 panel at the National HBPA conference at Oaklawn Park that offered thoughts on how to protect racing operations that are tied to added-gaming. View the full article

What are "future state options" exactly?

Looks and sounds promising.

Reads like a promo for Champions day and the NZB Kiwi. Nothing of note about what NZTR are actually doing?

Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) named seven new directors Wednesday afternoon, according to a letter to TOC membership from TOC President and CEO Bill Nader. Nominations for the ballot closed Mar. 1 with seven qualified candidates for seven open positions, giving each one the position without the need of an election and saving the organization approximately $18,000 in election expenses. The new board, which will be seated July 1, follows: Gary Barber, three-year term: Chairman and CEO of Spyglass Media Group, LLC, TOBA's National Owner of the Year (twice), and Outstanding Owner at The Jockey Club of Canada's Sovereign Awards (twice). Tim Cohen, three-year term: From a family involved in racing for more than 60 years, he now introduces new owners through Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners. Matt Dohman, three-year term: Founder of Optimum First Mortgage and a licensed real estate broker, as well as operator of syndicate California Racing Partners. Gary Fenton, three-year term: An entertainment attorney, TOC Chairman, one of the 12 stewards of The Jockey Club, and managing partner of Little Red Feather. Terry Lovingier, three-year term: Owner and president of Lovco Construction, Inc., as well as owner and operator of Lovacres Ranch. Darren Filkins, two-year term: Appointed in July of last year and Chief Executive Officer of Harris Farms. John Sikura, two-year term: Appointed in January of this year and president of Hill n' Dale Farms. TOC's 2026-27 Board of Directors will also be comprised of TOC Board members Joe Ciaglia, Mark Glatt, Ty Green, Ryan Hanson, Stephanie Hronis, Bob Liewald, Andy Mathis, and Samantha Siegel. The post TOC Names Seven New Directors Wednesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will send out a quintet of fillies and mares in the $175,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3), led by 2025 Gallant Bloom Stakes (G2) winner R Disaster. This will be the 2026 racing debut for the daughter of Awesome Slew.View the full article

When jockey Dylan Davis entered the starting gate with Army Officer for the eighth race at Gulfstream Park Feb. 28, it was something he had done more than 12,000 times in his career. But this time it was different.View the full article

After two days of proceedings in a federal bankruptcy court in Chicago Tuesday and Wednesday, judge Timothy Barnes has authorized the release of funds to pay outstanding wages owed to Hawthorne employees and to pay for the necessary equipment to resurface the track in preparation for a Thoroughbred meet, according to Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) president Chris Block, who attended the hearings. Hawthorne, and its related companies, filed for a Chapter 11 business reorganization Friday. The filing is built around a “debtor in possession” financing mechanism, which is when a debtor “keeps possession and control of its assets while undergoing a reorganization under chapter 11.” Hawthorne has secured temporary funding of around $16 million from JDI Loans, with a 120-day term limit on these funds. Some horsemen and women have also been unable to access monies in their bookkeeper accounts at the track. This includes earnings as well as funds put into the account in advance of the meet. Block explained that next Tuesday, the judge intends to consider a motion to unfreeze the bookkeeper accounts as part of a second round of funding issuances. If the judge indeed rules next Tuesday to unfreeze the accounts, the funds will be available to the horsemen and women “soon after that,” said Block. “I don't want to say the actual day. Could be Wednesday. Could be Thursday.” Come the end of the annual winter Standardbred meet, the track must be prepared for Thoroughbreds. As of early last week, the rail had been switched but the annual reconditioning of the track surface was moving along in slow-motion fashion without the usual outside contractors doing the work. If all goes according to plan, these contractors will now arrive by this weekend, said Block, and training could begin as early as the middle of next week. While the meet had been scheduled to begin March 29, Black said that now, a more realistic start date is early April. There are an estimated 175 Thoroughbreds currently stabled at the track, under the watch of about 10 different trainers. Other trainers are waiting to potentially ship in. “We're telling them [the horsemen and women] the track will start to get converted over the weekend and looks like we're targeting a start date of the first part of April,” said Block. “We don't have a firm date yet. We're going to have to work with [Director of Racing] Jim Miller and obviously the bankruptcy officials to make sure they understand when they've got to start paying purses. I'll have to work with the racing board as well.” Hawthorne, under President and General Manager Tim Carey, is working with financial advisor Getzler Henrich & Associates on its bankruptcy reorganization. In 2019, Hawthorne received approval by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) to build and operate a “racino” with casino-style gambling machines and table games. Since 2019, however, nothing concrete has materialized on that possibility despite repeated promises to the contrary by track operators. Block explained that if at the end of the 120-day loan cycle Hawthorne still hasn't found a business solution (either a partner in any casino or a buyer to purchase it outright), the company could either ask for additional funds to keep operating, or else JDI Loans shoots to the head of the creditor's table to get paid back. “This puts Hawthorne on the shot clock, if you will. They've got to get to a deal. They've got no choice. Ultimately, I would hope and pray there's an entity out there that would like to carry Hawthorne forward as a racetrack or casino, and start the process of rebuilding Northen Illinois horse racing,” said Block. “I think if there's any silver lining from all this, this puts the pressure on them to do that,” Block said, adding that there was no mention during the court proceedings about any specific potential buyers. The ITHA is represented in its legal fight by attorney Kevin Morse. Carey was quoted last Friday as saying, “This is a difficult day for Hawthorne and for my family which has owned Hawthorne for four generations over 117 years, but filing for reorganization is the right thing to do for the Illinois horsemen and for our employees and their families.” At the same time, the TDN understands that several members of several different families with ownership stakes in the racecourse share concerns and outstanding questions about the company's bankruptcy reorganization. They include questions of transparency over the process to secure debtor in possession financing and concerns the business reorganization could materially impact the family's ownership stake in the company. According to Hawthorne's initial bankruptcy filing, the company's estimated assets are between $50 million and $100 million, while the estimated liabilities are between $100 million and $500 million. The list of creditors who have the 20 largest unsecured claims are led by Fanatics LLC, a digital sports platform licensed in Florida, which has an unsecured claim of $8.75 million, according to the filing. The Stronach Group (TSG)-owned Monarch Content Management is next up with an unsecured claim of $7.13 million, according to the filing. Monarch is one of several entities that has stopped sending its simulcast signal to Hawthorne because of unpaid bills. “One of the things they're going to want to do soon is get some of these signals back up and running that they've lost. So, I think that'll be a big part of the initial push by Hawthorne,” said Block. At last month's Illinois Racing Board meeting, the extent of Hawthorne's financial troubles, and with it the enormous ramifications for industry stakeholders in the state, were made glaringly clear. The track's Standardbred stakeholders have been the hardest hit. The meeting followed the action of the state racing board to suspend the operating license of Suburban Downs, Inc., which manages Hawthorne's harness meet, for “failure to provide documentation demonstrating its financial integrity, and proof that they can meet the minimum standards” as outlined in state law. Hawthorne is responsible for more than $580,000 in bounced checks between some 66 individuals in recent months, according to an Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association representative at the meeting. The ITHA is apparently separately owned around $600,000 from Hawthorne for payments dating back seven months. “I feel very good that our horsemen are going to get the opportunity to race, number one. Number two, we'll get training and then eventually racing,” said Block, emphasizing the need for the bankruptcy judge to next Tuesday authorize the unfreezing of the bookkeeper accounts. “These people need their money,” he added. “Everybody is struggling along to keep going here, and this will be a big help for those people.” The post Hawthorne Thoroughbred Meet Gets Important Funding Go-Aheads After Two-Day Bankruptcy Hearing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As the keynote speaker at the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association conference, Everett Dobson, chairman of The Jockey Club, called for more cooperation in moving the sport forward.View the full article

Sycamore Bark Thoroughbreds owner Dan Davidson recalls the excitement of watching Save the Trees, who he bred, become a multiple winner, including a maiden win at Keeneland.View the full article

Chief is a bit busy mate. Getting tickets and a train ride to the Big Cambridge Night of Champions organized. Don't worry he'll fit you on somewhere. Could be a bit full by the time they get to the Picton Ferry though. 😂😎

Reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty continues to progress in his training this winter in South Florida and is under consideration for the April 18 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for his 4-year-old debut, trainer Bill Mott told FanDuel Racing March 4. View the full article

Agreement in bankruptcy court allows Hawthorne Race Course to begin conversion of track for spring race meeting.View the full article

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. 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