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Oh dear I see they are still online banging on about the decisions of the trainer. They'd obviously make a wonderful training partnership Wallace, Scott and Mackenzie. Not that any of them have had much success themselves but they do know everything about it. @Comic Dog @nomates @Joe Bloggs

Thousand Guineas (G1) heroine Ole Dancer will bid to land a second group 1 this weekend when she takes to Rosehill Gardens Racecourse March 14 for the Coolmore Classic Handicap (G1).View the full article

Just for the @Comic Dog record if anyone thinks I'm supporting this individual's actions that led to the Law Society case - I'm not. However I do support his right to be able to move on and in that respect I have some compassion for the person. I realise for some that are challenged and have a propensity to muck rake and be negative about all things racing that is a difficult concept to grasp. What is even more laughable that those pointing the finger often display disgusting attitudes online while hiding behind non-de-plumes. Nor should it be construed that I support the subsequent actions of the RIB or the Waikato Rugby Union. I laugh when I see the baying mob talking about moral high ground and integrity. I'd love to remind one forum owner of the conversations he and I had over a couple of boozy lunches in Auckland a few years back. However I accept that we all can readjust our moral compass. As I have posted many times before on many topics the fact that Racing tries to project itself as being any better than the rest of society is a mistake that will forever hoist itself on its own petard. Then to make things worse to double punish someone because the industry deems they need to show they set higher standards projects an image of elitism and creates incredulity. Afterall those in the industry are no different to anyone else in the wider community. Australia seems much more grown up on these matters. NZ - yeah na. We all make mistakes and if those online projecting that they are holier than thou honestly applied the same moral compass to themselves then show me the last man standing. He will either be a very good liar or have a very good lawyer.

In a unanimous decision, the State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division Third Judicial Department, has thrown out a 14-day suspension and a $2,000 fine that was originally handed down by the Commission to Todd Pletcher after a horse he trained tested positive for an overage of phenylbutazone (bute) following a July 30, 2022 race at Saratoga, and has remanded the matter back to the New York Gaming Commission for a rehearing. The horse in question, Capensis (Tapit), finished sixth in the allowance race. In affirming Pletcher's petition in part, and remanding the matter back to the Commission, the court acknowledged that there were “concerns regarding the fundamental fairness” of the original hearing and called the evidence presented by the New York Gaming Commission “hearsay proof.” Both the original blood sample taken from the horse and a split sample sent to an outside lab allegedly showed that the level of the bute in the horse's system was above the specified threshold. That led to a fine and suspension from the New York Gaming Commission, which was later upheld by a hearing officer. But Pletcher and his attorney, Drew Mollica, took the next step and brought an Article 78 petition to the New York State Supreme Court. Their argument centered around the contention that, according to the court ruling issued Thursday, “respondent (NY State Gaming Commission) failed to introduce competent evidence establishing the reliability of the testing that was conducted on the postrace samples that purportedly demonstrated the presence and concentration of bute.” The panel agreed, noting that “the sole proof relied upon by the Commission to establish that the bute concentration from postrace samples exceed the permissible limit were letters from the New York and California laboratories, which lacked any scientific foundation or probative value. “The letter from the New York laboratory indicated the overage in bute concentration but did not provide for the method of testing, and although the method of testing was provided in the letter from the California laboratory, neither letter gave any indication as to the reliability or general acceptance of the tests utilized to ascertain the presence and concentration of bute in the postrace samples.” The ruling continued: “Thus, relying solely on hearsay proof in this case to establish the rule violation rendered the hearing fundamentally unfair under the circumstances presented and persuades us to remand the matter for a new hearing.” “Mr. Pletcher is appreciative that the Appellate Division, Third Department, unanimously decided that the underlying hearing was unfair,” Mollica said. “It was unfair. That's what they said. Without the test results and lab packet, the Commission did not present any evidence of any probative value. In an era where regulators at all levels seek to overlook fairness and due process to achieve only the result they desire, it is refreshing that Appellate Court was clear that fairness and due process are important elements of the Justice System. This decision will have precedential value on other cases going forward.” The post Court Throws Out Fine, Suspension Against Pletcher After Bute Positive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At the OBS March Sale, trainer Michael McCarthy confirmed that his prize pupil Journalism (Curlin) continues to work well out in California as the colt prepares for his 4-year-old debut. “He's training great,” McCarthy told TDN. “I don't see a whole lot of difference in him this spring compared to last. He's holding his weight well. Obviously, he's put some on since having a little bit of a break. He's training forwardly.” McCarthy said that Journalism has drilled two good half-mile works at Santa Anita Park. “We're going to work five-eights this weekend and then we'll kind of start mapping out a plan,” he said. “I'll get together with Aron Wellman and he'll get together with everybody else and kind of come up with some soft circles around some spots, but very pleased with the way he's trained right now.” McCarthy also said that he his eye fixed on a championship run. “It's the whole reason behind keeping him in training,” Journalism's conditioner added. “Great news that Sovereignty is back. A couple of horses are starting to kind of rise from their 3-year-old performances and obviously a good performance by Magnitude the other day. So it's an exciting crop of 4-year-olds.” The GI Preakness and GI Haskell winner, Journalism was the runner-up in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes. He capped his 2025 run with a fourth-place finish in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. The post Journalism ‘Training Great’ For Intended 2026 Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Half of the field for Santa Anita Park's 6 1/2-furlong turf sprint on the hillside course has been set at 3-1 or lower in the morning line.View the full article

Unlimited amounts to wager and any bet I wanted? If that the case then they would not stand a chance, Chief. Wouldnt be betting the way they do though, on anything they know nothing about lol.😂

@Brodie why don't you create a BOAY Pot on BETCHA and then we can go head to head with Out the Gate? You would be head tipster.

CHELTENHAM, UK — On a day of high winds and even higher stakes at Cheltenham, it was Heart Wood (Choeur Du Nord) who best withstood the challenge to run out a wide-margin winner of the Ryanair Chase, Thursday's Grade 1 feature which lost much of its lustre when defending champion Fact To File (Poliglote) was withdrawn at the eleventh hour. Beaten nine lengths behind Fact To File when filling the runner-up spot 12 months ago, Heart Wood took full advantage of that rival's absence to belatedly make the breakthrough at the top level for trainer Henry de Bromhead and owners Robcour. Always travelling sweetly in the hands of Darragh O'Keeffe, the eight-year-old soon put his stamp on proceedings after moving to the lead on the approach to the second last, drawing right away from there to register an emphatic 10-length defeat of the gallant Jonbon (Walk In The Park), with Banbridge (Doyen) another two lengths further back in third. “He ran a blinder last year, and we probably rode him to sort of be placed last year, whereas this year we said that we would go out and give it a real go,” de Bromhead said of his first winner at the 2026 Festival. “It was brilliant. Darragh was brilliant on him, he jumped amazing, and it's just lovely to get it. It's getting harder and harder [to train winners at the Festival]. It's been even more competitive this week.” For a trainer operating in the same era as a certain Willie Mullins, de Bromhead's Festival record certainly stands up to the closest of scrutiny. Indeed, this victory means that it will remain a decade since the Knockeen trainer last left the meeting empty handed, having saddled at least one winner every year since drawing a blank in 2016. It's a remarkable achievement but one that left O'Keeffe feeling the pressure in his first season as number one rider to the stable, following the retirement in May last year of de Bromhead's long-time ally, Rachael Blackmore. “It's unreal. I'm very grateful to be riding for Henry de Bromhead this week,” said the winning jockey. “I was keen to get a winner on the board because his record here is so good. The horses have been running well, just a couple of things went against us. These colours are brilliant. They've always been great to me.” Those Robcour colours have become an increasingly familiar sight in the Cheltenham winners' enclosure in recent years, but the man behind them, Brian Acheson, admitted to thinking that it might not be his year after watching his former Festival champions Bob Olinger (Sholokhov) and Teahupoo (Masked Marvel) come up short in the preceding Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle. “Half an hour ago I was on the floor and now that – it just shows you what a screwed up game this is!,” Acheson said of his eventful afternoon. “When the favourite [Fact To File] came out, he had a chance, but we're having such a bad week that you start to talk yourself out of it.” Having been buffeted by strong gales for much of the day, Prestbury Park briefly had the air sucked out of it when Fact To File, arguably the most talented National Hunt performer in training, was declared a non-runner over the public address system. The official reason given for his absence was “unsuitable ground”, with a visibly annoyed Mullins later clarifying his stance in an interview with Racing TV. “Good ground, we think, is not good enough for the type of individual we are buying and trying to race,” said the most successful trainer in the Festival's history. “If the ground is going to be like this, we're not going to bring them.” Even in the absence of Fact To File, owner JP McManus was still responsible for a leading Ryanair fancy in fan favourite Jonbon, who was seeking a first Festival win at the fourth attempt. Alas, it wasn't to be, but as ever he battled on manfully to preserve his record of never having finished out of the first two in a career now spanning 28 starts under Rules. It remains to be seen whether Jonbon will be back for a fifth crack at Festival glory in 2027 but, should his connections need any encouragement, then look no further than the 11-year-old Home By The Lee (Fame And Glory), who sprung a 33/1 surprise when making his fifth consecutive appearance in the Stayers' Hurdle. Trained by Joseph O'Brien for owner-breeder Sean O'Driscoll, Home By The Lee had finished sixth, fifth and third in his first three attempts, before unseating JJ Slevin last year when Bob Olinger led home the 2024 champion Teahupoo in a Robcour one-two. Teahupoo was sent off the 6/4 favourite to regain his crown on Thursday but could muster only sixth, while the winner's fellow veteran, Bob Olinger, ran an honourable race in third. Instead, it was the mercurial Ballyburn (Flemensfirth) who threw down the stiffest challenge to Home By The Lee, but the horse described by O'Brien as “a superstar” simply wasn't for passing on the run-in, finding plenty under the Slevin drive to land the spoils by a little over a length. “We were just hoping for a good run,” O'Brien said of expectations coming into the race. “It was a fantastic ride by JJ and I'm so delighted for Sean O'Driscoll and his family as they bred him. He's an 11-year-old and they've been with him all the way. He's as tough as nails “We've had him since maybe he just turned four, so he's been there a long time. He trains every day with enthusiasm and when he's off he gets bored. He loves his work, loves his job, loves his racing and has never had a lame step in his life. He's a superstar.” For O'Driscoll, this was a triumph for perseverance in more ways than one, having stood firm when O'Brien gently suggested on one occasion that the then-struggling Home By The Lee might be better off trained elsewhere. “Never give up, that's the moral of the story,” O'Driscoll explained. “He has the heart of a lion and he's a very sound horse. He lost his way chasing. Joseph rang me one day and said, 'I think maybe you should send him to another yard, they can freshen him up.' I said, 'Are you politely telling me that I should take him away from the yard?' To which he replied, 'No, I'm not.' So I said, 'Well, he's not going anywhere.' Joseph is an amazing trainer.” He continued, “We came here with confidence, but the odds were stacked against us in that he's 11 years of age, it was his fifth attempt at the race. I don't think any horse has won it after running in it five times – the moral of the story is that there's always a first time!” Gordon Elliott cut a similarly philosophical figure earlier in the afternoon, having watched the redoubtable Wodhooh (Le Havre) provide the stable with a belated breakthrough at this year's Festival in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle. Elliott went into the race 0/30 for the week, frustrated but with an ace card still to play in 5/6 favourite Wodhooh, who duly got the job done with the minimum of fuss, hitting the front before the last and always doing enough from there to lead home Jade De Grugy (Doctor Dino) by a length. Bought by Ted Durcan for 50,000gns at the 2023 Tattersalls July Sale, having failed to win in four starts on the Flat for Sir Michael Stoute, Wodhooh has been beaten just once in 11 starts over hurdles, with the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at last year's Festival also featuring among her 10 victories. Then, just as she did on Thursday, Wodhooh stepped up to get Elliott out of a tight spot after he arrived at the finale winless from 47 runners in the previous 27 races. No wonder the trainer described himself as “lucky to have her” in the aftermath of this latest rescue act. “It's hard to have winners here,” he summed up. “The ball just wasn't bouncing, but thankfully we're on the board now. I'm delighted for myself, my staff and my owners. “The race worked out great and Jack [Kennedy, jockey] gave her a peach. She idled a bit up the straight, but she picked up again. She's something else. It's hard to know how good she is as she doesn't do anything fancy at home, but we're lucky to have her.” In the other Graded race restricted to mares on the card, the G2 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle which kicked off proceedings, White Noise (Kingston Hill) caused a 40/1 upset to realise a lifelong dream for jockey Tom Bellamy. With last year's Champion Bumper heroine Bambino Fever (Jukebox Jury) never threatening to land a meaningful blow, it was left to the Elliott-trained Oldschool Outlaw (Walk In The Park) to give vain chase to the relentless winner, who has improved out of all recognition since gaining her first victory in a Worcester novice hurdle back in October. “I've worked my whole life for this day,” said the winning rider after his first Festival triumph. “I'm genuinely speechless, I cannot believe it. A great performance from a really likeable filly. I'm delighted for the team at home, we've had a season. This tops my whole career, not just this season. “I'm nearly crying here. I bunked off school as a kid to come and watch the Cheltenham Festival, and I can't believe I'm walking around at the top here after winning. I am expecting to wake up, to be honest. I got beaten a neck once in the Pertemps and I thought that was it, because I haven't even got close since. It means everything.” Thirty-one years on from a famous Champion Hurdle/Gold Cup double – and for the first time since being joined on the licence by long-time assistant Mat Nicholls – Kim Bailey is a Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer once more thanks to White Noise, while the action on Thursday also saw nerve-settling victories for two trainers who will be hoping to emulate Bailey by etching their names into Gold Cup folklore on Friday. Dan Skelton, the trainer of Gold Cup contender Grey Dawning (Flemensfirth), would have had very few anxious moments as he watched 7/2 favourite Supremely West (Westerner) turn the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle into a procession, while Ben Pauling admitted that he will sleep easier ahead of Friday's blue riband after his Meetmebythesea (Watar) had won the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase. Pauling is responsible for the current Gold Cup favourite in The Jukebox Man (Ask). “I'll look forward to tomorrow now,” said Pauling, before echoing the sentiments of many on Thursday with regards what was a difficult start to the biggest week this sport has to offer. “I was a bit deflated after the first two days, if I'm completely honest. It's a stark reminder of how hard it is to win here, because you come with good horses and we weren't really sighted. This was one of the darts we hoped would run well, so it was great to see it come off. I'm pleased we've had one before The Jukebox Man runs tomorrow.” The post Heart Wood Runs Riot in Ryanair as Ground Concerns Sideline Fact To File appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Serena’s Song, a Hall of Famer and blue hen mare, died March 11 at the age of 34. View the full article

Going by what you post it must be difficult for you living with yours. All those dark clouds. ------ Well that ends that topic. No doubt the subject will be added from time to time to the narrative of the anti's and moaners. Oh well back to counting whip strikes. Stuff putting any real energy into getting useful change.

Serena's Song, the 3-year-old filly champion in 1995 and the winner of 11 Grade I stakes races, passed away peacefully Wednesday at Denali Stud, where she spent her entire post-racetrack career. She died 25 days before her 34th birthday, but was officially considered 34 at the time of her death. Inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2002, she won 18 of 38 starts and recorded 17 grades stakes wins. Her finest hour came when she defeated males to capture the 1995 GI Haskell Invitational Handicap. “She had the elegance of a Grace Kelly, she had the moves of a Ginger Rogers, and she had the charisma of a Marilyn Monroe,” her trainer, Wayne Lukas, said at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for Serena's Song. “For you people that are a lot younger and don't have a clue as to what I'm talking about, she had the moves of Janet Jackson and the charisma of Britney Spears.” A daughter of Rahy out of the Northfields mare Imaging, she was bought for $150,000 at the 1993 Keeneland July Sale of Selected Yearlings. She began her career for Lukas and owners Bob and Beverly Lewis with a fifth-place finish in a May 28, 1994 maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs. In her fourth career start, she won her first stakes race, the GII Landaluce Stakes at Hollywood Park. She would prove to be one of the best 2-year-old fillies in training that year, winning the GI Oak Leaf Stakes and the GI Starlet Stakes. She also finished second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, losing to stablemate Flanders. Serena's Song takes the Haskell | Equi-Photo But her 3-year-old year was the one in which she became a superstar. After his filly kicked off her season with three straight wins, Lukas got bold and ran her against the boys in the GII Jim Beam Stakes, a major prep for the Kentucky Derby. With Corey Nakatani aboard, she won by 3 ½ lengths. Lukas originally said after the Jim Beam win that Serena's Song would be pointed for the GI Kentucky Oaks, but changed course and ran her in the Kentucky Derby. After setting blistering early fractions, she finished 16th. It didn't take her long to rebound, and, with a new jockey in Gary Stevens aboard, she won two of her next three starts. She then headed to the Jersey Shore to take on the boys again in the Haskell. She was tiring in the stretch, but held on to win by three-quarters of a length. Serena's Song became the first filly ever to win the prestigious Grade I event. “We came, we made history and we stamped her as one of the great ones,” Lukas said after the win. “I rank her right up there with any of the great fillies we've had.” Serena's Song would go on to win two more major stakes that year, the GI Gazelle Handicap and the GI Beldame Stakes. But she could do no better than fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. She slowed down a bit as a 4-year-old, winning five of 15 starts, but still managed to capture three more Grade I races that year, the GI Santa Monica Handicap, the GI Santa Maria Handicap and the GI Hempstead Handicap. In her final career start, she finished second in the GII Churchill Downs Distaff Handicap, which increased her career earnings to $3,283,388. “It's not what we can see that counts, it's ultimately what we can't see that makes them great,” Lukas also said during Serena's Song's Hall of Fame induction speech. “It's the inside, the heart, and she had plenty of that. She was tough.” Bob Lewis was so fond of his Serena's Song that he told the Los Angeles Times in 1995 that it almost felt like the filly was part of his family. “I tell people we've been fortunate to have two sons and a daughter, but I almost feel as though we have two daughters when you count Serena's Song,” he said. “We realize how fortunate we are to have her. She's the epitome of a racehorse. She just flows.” Serena's Song wins the Mother Goose | Coglianese Upon retirement, Serena's Song was sent to Denali. She was considered the first high-profile broodmare to land there. “We call her the 'Queen of Denali,' just because she is really our foundational mare and the fact that she's still with us,” Denali Director of Marketing and Hospitality Claire Bandoroff told the TDN's Jill Williams in 2025. “She put us on the map. I don't think anyone on the farm remembers a day without her here.” Serena's Song produced 12 foals, 11 that raced, and nine who have won. She was the dam of Sophisticat, a filly by Storm Cat, who won the GI Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2002. She also produced the Storm Cat colt Grand Reward, who won the GII Oaklawn Handicap in 2005. “Serena had such a profound impact on many people's lives, especially the Lewis family, our family, and the staff who worked with her during her time at Denali,” said Conrad Bandoroff. “We are incredibly blessed and honored that Bob and Beverly, and eventually their son Jeff chose to keep her with us and trust us with her care for three decades. She is and always will be the Queen of Denali Stud. I would like to think that Wayne had a stall ready for her up there, and that he, Bob, and Beverly welcomed her with open arms.” In 2014, the Lewis Family and Denali Stud announced that Serena's Song, then 22, was being retired as a broodmare. She enjoyed the rest of her days eating peppermints and helped raise thousands of dollars for Thoroughbred charities through her halters. “I know that there will never be another broodmare like her for me,” Craig Bandoroff said. “It has been a great honor to work with the Lewises for the entirety of her breeding career. She has had a profound impact on the growth and development of Denali Stud. “I very rarely can't find the words, but that is where I find myself,” he said. “There are times in our lives where the Good Lord takes care of you. He did that when Bob and Beverly Lewis became our clients and again when Serena came into our lives. Some things can't be replaced. You just have to be thankful they came your way. Serena meant more to Denali than I can describe. We were just blessed to have her. Hopefully Bob, Beverly and Serena are reunited.” The post Champion Serena’s Song Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Casse has mapped out next-race plans for a trio of his 3-year-old fillies. Counting Stars (Honor A. P.) and Search Party (Gun Runner), second and fourth in the GIII Honeybee S. Mar. 1, are headed to the $1-million GII Fantasy S. Mar. 27 at Oaklawn. Unbeaten Dixie Belle S. winner French Friction (City of Light), meanwhile, will stretch to two turns for the first time in the $750,000 GI Ashland S. Apr. 3 at Keeneland. Both races are 1 1/16 miles. “That was definitely one of the bright spots of the weekend,” Casse said of Counting Stars runner-up effort at 11-1. “I've kind of always held her in high regard. I thought for a long time that she was an Oaks filly.” Martha Washington S. winner Search Party was beaten 3 1/2 lengths in the Honeybee. “Actually, I was OK with Search Party,” Casse said. “You have to remember now that we were at a little bit of a disadvantage. We were coming back in a shorter amount of time. We lost a week, again, with the weather. I didn't even breeze her back.” The post Casse Maps Out Plans for Sophomore Fillies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Code Review (Uncle Mo) was the subject of much pre-race chatter and lived up to the hype on Gulfstream debut Jan. 25, making all the running en route to a 1 1/2-length victory and 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard plaudits. The bay was given an entry for Saturday's Virginia Derby, but connections opted to ship in for this considerably softer spot, for which he was made the 1-5 mortal. Code Review hopped slightly as the gates flew back, but he quickly stepped away to a clear lead before Tyler Gaffalione took a tug, allowing 22-5 second choice I Did I Did (Curlin) to slide up into a pace-pressing position. Clinging on to a narrow advantage on the turn, the heavy chalk looked to be making hard work of it on the inside of the rain-affected track, but he dug in determinedly when it looked as if he might be passed and held on to score narrowly. A $200,000 Fasig-Tipton November weanling turned $575,000 Keeneland September yearling, Code Review is a full to Laoban, GSW, $526,250; and to the dam of Sovereign Award winner Mr. Hustle (Declaration of War), GSP Malibu Coast (Malibu Moon) and GSW Abientot (Not This Time). This is also the female family of dual Grade I winner I'm A Chatterbox (Munnings). Chattertown is also the dam of a yearling filly by Practical Joke and was most recently covered by Uncle Mo's son Golden Pal. 2nd-Colonial Downs, $78,400, Alw (NW1X), Opt. Clm ($62,500), 3-12, 3yo, 1m, 1:37.91, gd, neck. CODE REVIEW (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Chattertown {SP, $104,332}, by Speightstown) Sales history: $200,000 Wlg '23 FTKNOV; $575,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $88,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-C2 Racing Stable LLC, Ken T Reimer, JRM Stables LLC & Tami Bobo; B-Longfield Stables (KY); T-Saffie A Joseph Jr. CODE REVIEW ($2.40) refuses to back down and is 2 for 2 after this @ColonialDowns victory. @Tyler_Gaff was in the saddle for trainer @SaffieJosephJr. Congratulations to the connections with this 3YO colt by Uncle Mo. pic.twitter.com/KoUBRSYwVk — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 12, 2026 The post Uncle Mo ‘Rising Star’ Code Review Makes It Two-For-Two appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Alexandra Park awakes from its summer slumber tonight to set up northern harness racing’s two biggest months of the season. But with the meeting the first step down a long and steep path for many it provides punters with challenges trying to balance the sheer class of some against the race fitness of others. The $40,000 Lincoln Farms Founders Cup (7.56pm) is the best example of that as well as the night’s best race. It sees Republican Party return to the track where he has won two Auckland Cups and just about everything else that matters in the last 15 months, but facing barrier 7 over 1700m with a ton of speed inside him. “I almost didn’t put him in this race,” admits co-trainer Cran Dalgety. “I almost trialed him on Tuesday to get him fitter and went to next Friday. “Don’t get me wrong, he is fit enough to win, but I don’t think he is fit enough to be driven hard and win so I’d like to see him tucked in and get one run at them.” The best version of Republican Party wins tonight’s race at least five times out of 10 and if he is eased early but then still finds himself dragged into the one-one later he will probably win it tonight. Aiding his cause is the fact his big gun rivals Akuta (barrier 6) and Merlin (8) are in the same boat and all three could be driven conservatively early and sting punters. Making their cause even more difficult is the gate speed of rivals like The Lazarus Effect (1), Rubira (3) and Sooner The Bettor (4), the latter one of the fastest beginners in the country. Trainer Barry Purdon has both Merlin and Sooner The Bettor entered and says he’d like to see junior driver Harrison Orange head forward on Sooner The Bettor and wouldn’t be unhappy to see him stay in front. Over 1700m with the millionaire pacers likely to be driven cold, that makes Sooner The Bettor at least the best value bet at around $7 if not the best winning chance. While the Founders Cup contains many of our elite pacers, it has plenty of competition for what might ultimately prove the night’s highlight. Here is an overview of the other major races: Race 4, Alabar Classic, $60,000, 2200m: 6.19pm Some very, very good three-year-old pacers here including Jumal (6) and the only two horses to have beaten him, Allamericanplayer (3) and Freeze Frame (4). Jumal set the bar very high to start this campaign when he beat The Lazarus Effect fresh up but Freeze Frame was almost as impressive pushing Better Knuckle Up close here in an open class race last Friday. And while Allamericanplayer’s last start win was in an easier field he has already shown his best work can measure up to the southerners. Jumal may have the widest draw but is super quick off the gate and that could be the deciding factor. The bet: Jumal to win but his $1.40 no spoil so maybe the multi anchor. Race 5, Caduceus Club Ladyship Stakes, $70,000, 2200m: 6.58pm This looks All Of Me’s (3) race to lose after she drew significantly better then her main rivals. Trainer Cran Dalgety warned punters she was vulnerable last Friday and so it proved as she blew out at the 50m mark and Alecto grabbed her. Tonight she is drawn to run to the lead and Dalgety says she is “bang on” for the Group 2. The bet: All Of Me is $1.80 as the Box Seat Boost (under Futures on TAB site) and that is great value. Queen Lizzie the best place bet. Race 6, Majestic Horse Floats Greenlane Cup, $40,000, 1700m: 7.31pm Sees the return of potentially our best trotter in Hillbilly Blues (4) who was wonderful in the back end of 2025. He has good gate speed and should improve with his trial last Friday so if he runs to the front the big boy probably wins. But there is gate speed outside him from Belle Neige (6), who is his stablemate so that could be good or bad, while Meant To Be (7) and Bet N Win (8) could add to the early pressure. Watching that all unfold will be the old marvel Oscar Bonavena (11) who isn’t well suited by the distance but becomes a chance if they go crazy up front. The bet: Hillbilly Blues the best winning hope so if he gets close to $3 take it. View the full article

Grade 1 winner Bottle of Rouge headlines a field of six 3-year-old fillies in the March 14 Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs. View the full article

Civil Liberty (Independence Hall), third-place finisher in last summer's GI Del Mar Futurity and a maiden of four career starts, will look to graduate in the GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct Apr. 4. The 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial offers 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. “That's definitely our goal,” trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill said of the Wood Memorial. “He acts like the distance won't be a problem for him at all. It wasn't a problem for his pops–his dad could run the distance. We're excited about him.” Carrying the colors of Great Friends Stables and Mark Davis, Civil Liberty was a close second behind 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) going 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita Mar. 7. “It was a great effort,” O'Neill said. “It was a strong field of maidens, and he ran a winning race. I'm very proud of him. He came out of it in great shape.” The post Maiden of Four Career Starts Civil Liberty Aiming for Wood Memorial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, Mar. 21 for Texas Champions Day. Throughout the race day, Sam Houston will spotlight aftercare by featuring Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which has three accredited organizations located in Texas: Lake Fork Stables, Lonestar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE), and Remember Me Rescue. As part of the day's festivities, Sam Houston Race Park will honor Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with a named race. “Sam Houston Race Park is pleased to recognize Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance during Texas Champions Day,” said Bryan Pettigrew, Vice President & General Manager of Texas Racing Operations at Sam Houston Race Park. “This acknowledgment highlights their vital work in providing safe and rewarding second careers for Thoroughbreds, while connecting fans to the impact of accredited aftercare.” The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Honored with Race at Texas Champions Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the Santa Ana Stakes (G3T), Mrs. Astor will go for a seventh career stakes win, but will face a large field. View the full article

Aga Khan Studs homebred three-year-old filly Edaja (Siyouni) added to her debut victory at Chantilly last month and remained unbeaten after pouncing late for the Francis Graffard stable back there in Thursday's Prix des Princesses. Patiently ridden in midfield until turning for home in the one-mile Polytrack test, she challenged out wide passing the furlong pole and edged ahead for a narrow verdict in the dying strides of a bunch finish. Edaja retains entries for the May 10 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and June 14 G1 Prix de Diane. Edaja is the second foal and scorer produced by the multiple Group-placed Listed Prix Melisande victrix Edisa (Kitten's Joy), herself a half-sister to multiple Group 1-placed dual Group 2 winner Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) out of G2 Prix de Royallieu victrix Ebiyza (Rock Of Gibraltar). The February-foaled homebred bay, whose year-younger half-brother by Kingman died last year, is kin to a yearling colt by Zarak. 5th-Chantilly, €25,600, Cond, 3-12, 3yo, f, 8f (AWT), 1:40.60, st. EDAJA (FR) (f, 3, Siyouni {Fr}–Edisa {SW & MGSP-Fr, SP-US, $691,143}, by Kitten's Joy) Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €25,150. O/B-Aga Khan Studs; T-Francis-Henri Graffard. Edaja (@AgaKhanStuds) reste invaincue ce jeudi à Chantilly après sa victoire dans le Prix des Princesses. Son entraîneur @GraffardRacing l'a notamment engagée dans l'Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (10/05) et dans le Prix de Diane Longines (14/06) pic.twitter.com/cAAPP2AUt4 — Equidia (@equidia) March 12, 2026 The post Siyouni’s Edaja Pounces Late and Goes Two-for-Two at Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A colt by last year's leading freshman sire Yaupon (hip 576) was the first to hit seven figures during Thursday's third and final session at the OBS March Sale, bringing an even $1,000,000 from the Three Amigos. “I bought him for the Three Amigos,” said bloodstock agent Donato Lanni. “So he's going to go to California. He was beautiful and fast and sound, came out of the work really good. These horses that bring this kind of money, they just have to do everything right. They've got to vet at the end and they've got to just do everything right. So he was a horse that did [everything] good and [we] loved the sire. A big Yaupon fan. And so [the price is] kind of expected. He was a cool horse” Consigned by King's Equine, the colt was bred in Kentucky by Cem Ozbelge and had passed through the ring twice previously last year, first as a short yearling at Keeneland January for $40,000 and most recently as a $235,000 pick up again at Keeneland last September for Jose d'Angelo. The second foal from a Lemon Drop Kid mare, he worked his furlong in :9 4/5. This is the seventh million-dollar horse sold at OBS March this year, matching the record set during last year's sale. The post “Beautiful, Fast and Sound”: Three Amigos Picks Up Million-Dollar Yaupon Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising sits as a clear No. 1 in the first Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings of 2026 with a rating of 128.View the full article

Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) stands firmly on top of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, which were released on Thursday. Given a mark of 128, the Hong Kong Horse of the Year is four pounds clear of his Hong Kong compatriot Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) at 124. Ka Ying Rising has rattled off a record 18-straight wins for a Hong Kong-trained horse, taking the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup over Helios Express (Toronado) (117) earlier this year before his G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup win. Former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior has won both the G1 Stewards' Cup over Lucky Sweynesse (Sweynesse) (118) and the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup this term. Third on rankings is dual G1 Saudi Cup hero Forever Young (Real Steel) on 123. When taking his second Saudi Cup in Riyadh, the Japanese Horse of the Year defeated the 121-rated Nysos (Nyquist). Fourth in the rankings is Royal Champion (Shamardal) (122). His main victory in 2026 has been a 4 3/4-length tally over Facteur Cheval (Ribchester) in the G1 Neom Turf Cup. For the complete rankings, please visit the IFHA website. The post Ka Ying Rising Bosses Longines WBRR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte Farms' Laurel River (Into Mischief–Calm Water, by Empire Maker), a spectacular and record-setting winner of the 2024 G1 Dubai World Cup, has been retired from racing and will begin covering mares at Big Red Farm on the island of Hokkaido in Japan from this season, according to a news item on the nursery's website. A stud fee will be announced in two weeks' time. Trained across his first seven starts by Bob Baffert, the homebred won his maiden in his 3-year-old debut, covering 6 1/2 furlongs in a strong 1:15.66, and was runner-up to The Chosen Vron (Vronsky) in the GIII Laz Barrera Stakes in his next appearance. A towering 11 1/2-length allowance winner when trying a route of ground for the first time in September 2021, the attractive bay returned to take his two starts at four, a daylight victory over a mile followed by an impressive victory in the seven-furlong GII Pat O'Brien Stakes (108 Beyer), earning a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. After being withdrawn from the latter contest on the eve of the race, Laurel River joined the Dubai-based Bhupat Seemar to continue his career in the summer of 2023 and following a ring-rusty return in Group 3 company over 1200 meters in early 2024, ran out a highly impressive winner of the G3 Burj Nahaar, a course-and-distance prep for the G2 Godolphin Mile. To the surprise of many, Laurel River was instead entered in the World Cup, a first try beyond eight furlongs with plenty of questions to answer. Drawn widest in a field of 12, Laurel River came across to head off his rivals passing the post with a circuit to travel, and when Tadhg O'Shea asked for an effort 800 meters from home, Laurel River quickly put a margin on his rivals and strolled home to crush by 8 1/2 lengths (see below), breaking the record previously held by Dubai Millennium (GB) (Seeking the Gold). The vanquished included defending champion Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft), fresh off his victory in the G1 Saudi Cup. “I'm still coming to terms with what's happened,” Seemar said in the immediate aftermath of the World Cup. Caught on the wire in the 2025 G3 Firebreak Stakes (1600m) when attempting to gear up for a possible Saudi Cup/Dubai World Cup double, Laurel River did not race again that season and time was called on his career this week. He retires with a record of 6-2-0 from 11 starts and earnings of $7,508,798. Laurel River is one of 27 elite-level winners for Into Mischief and is bred on the exact same cross as Juddmonte's GI Kentucky Derby winner and 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Mandaloun. His full-brother Castlewarden is also under the care of Seemar at Meydan and was third in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile last November. Laurel River's first three dams are all daughters of GI Belmont Stakes winners. Granddam Soothing Touch (Touch Gold) was responsible for six winners, including Calm Water's four-time Grade I-winning full-sister Emollient; Hofburg (Tapit), a stakes winner and placed in the GI Florida Derby and Belmont Stakes; and SW & GSP Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile), now a stallion in Brazil. Another of Soothing Touch's offspring, Cardamon (Pioneerof the Nile), produced 2025 GIII Mahony Stakes winner Spiced Up (Quality Road). Third dam Glia (A.P. Indy), a stakes winner in France and America, descends from the family of G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner and Japanese stallion Bago (Fr) (Nashwan) and the influential Northern Dancer and Machiavellian. Big Red Farm was also the stallion home of 2005 World Cup winner Roses In May. Farewell to LAUREL RIVER – an immensely talented horse, but not the easiest to train. Kudos to @BhupatSeemar and his team for looking after him so well and getting that MASSIVE #DubaiWorldCup win pic.twitter.com/hNnTOVbLcV — Laura King لورا كنج (@LauraKingDXB) March 12, 2026 The post Dubai World Cup Winner Laurel River Retired To Japan’s Big Red Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy will honor Marc Holliday, a Thoroughbred owner, breeder and chairman of The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), and his wife Sheree, an avid and competitive equestrian, with the John Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney Award for their generous support of the New York backstretch community at its 19th Annual Fundraising Brunch to be held on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, New York, the non-profit said in a release on Wednesday. Additional information, including tickets and sponsorships for the event, may be found at www.rtcany.org. The post NYRTC To Honor Hollidays With John Hendrickson And Marylou Whitney Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article