General Yarn

Easy 😎

Kurow was the epitome of country racing, as usual. Well presented track, happy and substantial crowd and hospitable committee.  Sharrock was on course, as he usually is these days,  as were Peter and Dawn Williams,  it would have been enjoyable even without Jing producing her result at her first start for us.  One of the most genuine in his congratulations was previous trainer Kenny Moore,  he's a thoroughly decent bloke and does love his horses. 

Gerardo Corrales, Mike Maker and John Stewart's Resolute Racing were the leading jockey, trainer and owner, respectively, during the Holiday Meet at Turfway Park. Corrales booted home 14 winners, outdistancing Fernando de la Crus, Luan Machado and Irving Moncada, who each rode 11 winners. Corrales was the leading rider at the Holiday Meet from 2020 through 2022 and the Winter/Spring Meet in 2021-2022. Runners sent out by the Mike Maker barn won seven races, one better than Larry Rivelli and three clear of Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox, John Ennis and Brendan Walsh on four victories. Resolute won its first owner's title as part of a six-way tie for the top, but posted earnings of $199,253, just better than Godolphin with $169,894. Also finishing with two wins were Two Hearts Farm, Tom Lambro, Bubba Rodgers, Ricky Short, and the partnership of Down the Stretch Racing, Craftyhorse Racing, Homer Schafer, and Robert Sulzberger Jr. The Holiday Meet delivered strong returns for horseplayers, with the average 50-cent Pick 5 paying a remarkable $32,219, showcasing the sizable wagering pools available on a nightly basis. Additionally, the average $2 win mutuel returned an impressive $18.37. The Winter/Spring meet at Turfway begins on New Year's Day with a special 1 p.m. post time. Racing continues Thursday through Saturday beginning at 5:55 p.m. The post Corrales, Maker, Resolute Win Turfway Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Old Friends Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, has announced the addition of six graded stakes winners to their farm: Count Again, Delaunay, Mission Impazible, Normandy Invasion, Rainbow Heir and Warrior's Reward. “Without a doubt, this has been a banner year for new arrivals at Old Friends,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “Having these horses take their place as new residents is further testimony that Old Friends continues to earn its reputation as a longstanding leader in Thoroughbred aftercare. “We remain grateful to the connections of all of the 297 horses who reside at our farms and, most importantly, to the many people who contribute to Old Friends which makes it possible for us to provide such a safe and comfortable retirement for these horses, all of whom gave their best for us.” Each of the six has settled in at Old Friends, having arrived at different stages during 2024. The post Old Friends Welcomed Six Graded Winners In 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The momentum built by the opening-day, six graded-stakes program at Santa Anita carried on into the weekend, as bettors pushed all-sources handle to over $50.4 million over the course of the 39 races between Thursday, Dec. 26 and Sunday, Dec. 29. Aided by strong support from owners and trainers that led to an increase in field size from 2023, the stretch was led by the $21.4-million turnover on Thursday's program, topped by the GI Malibu Stakes, won by Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) and the GI La Brea Stakes, taken out by Kopion (Omaha Beach). That amount was the third-highest recorded on opening day in the history of the track and was the fourth time in the last seven years exceeding $20 million. Total attendance for the four days was better than 62,000, with over 41,000 heading through the turnstiles on opening day. Santa Anita hosts a special New Year's Day program this Wednesday, with nine live races, and the four-day week continues Friday through Sunday. The post Santa Anita Handles Over $50M On Opening Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article