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    • The New York Racing Association is preparing to pass the torch to a newly reconstructed Belmont Park and goodbye to Aqueduct, ending more than a century of racing in Ozone Park.View the full article
    • The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has sent a letter to stakeholders at the Eclipse Awards asking them to bar jockeys Irad Ortiz Jr. and his brother, Jose, from future consideration for the awards after the discovery of a social media video that appears to show the brothers collecting cash in a ring at a cockfight in Puerto Rico. It is unclear when the event took place. The 18-second video was posted on X in November, 2025 on the account of @Josmaestre131, with a caption in Spanish reading, “the horseracing cockfighters.” Two roosters appear in the center of the ring in glass cages. In a follow-up letter to the TDN, the organization writes, “PETA points out that Ortiz Jr.—who led North American jockeys in both wins and earnings in 2025—and his brother José, who ranked third in both categories, should face investigation and potential prosecution for working the ring in the bloody spectacles, where people gamble on a bloodsport in which terrified roosters have razor-sharp blades strapped to their feet and are forced to fight to the death.” Cockfighting is illegal in the U.S. and all of its territories, including Puerto Rico. It was officially criminalized with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, and remains illegal despite local efforts by some in Puerto Rico to preserve it as a cultural tradition, prompting legal battles between the island and the U.S. federal government. The Supreme Court has since upheld the ban. While Puerto Rico formerly had local laws on the books allowing it under certain conditions, such as no interstate transport, the federal ban made all aspects of cockfighting–including training and attending–a federal crime. It is unclear if the video was taken before or after the law was passed. Steve Rushing, the agent for the brothers, responded to the TDN via text to say that he would have no comment on the matter at this time. When asked, Rushing did not confirm or deny that the video shows Ortiz and his brother participating in the event. PETA did not respond to a query as to what they had done to verify the authenticity of the video or that it, in fact, depicted the brothers. The Eclipse Awards are governed by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), the National Turfwriters and Broadcasters Association (NTWAB), and the Daily Racing Form. The NTRA said that they had received the letter and had forwarded it to the Eclipse Steering Committee, but that they would have further immediate comment. The NTWAB said that they did not receive the letter directly from PETA, but that they had received a copy from the NTRA midday on Friday. Asked if the Horse Racing Safety and Integrity Authority had any jurisdiction in the matter, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus said that because Puerto Rico does not send out its simulcast signal, it is outside of HISA's authority. “HISA regulations only cover jockey conduct on a covered racetrack or in relation to a covered horse,” Lazarus said via text. “Neither of those scenarios are at play here.” The PETA letter reads: Board Members: We are writing to urge you to make Irad Ortiz, Jr., and José Ortiz ineligible for future Eclipse award nominations. While Irad Ortiz, Jr., may lead North American jockeys in both wins and earnings, with José close behind, they are trailing as representatives of the racing industry. Video posted on X in November 2025 shows the brothers at a cockfight in Puerto Rico. The video reveals that they aren't simply observers of this vicious spectacle—they are in the ring taking cash from the betting crowd. As Irad Ortiz and José Ortiz surely know, cockfighting is illegal in all U.S. states and territories, including Puerto Rico. They could be investigated and possibly prosecuted for their involvement. In addition to the legal ramifications, it's stunning that past Eclipse Award winners participated in any way in the bloody, fight-to-the-death obscenity that is cockfighting. Their actions are without question detrimental to racing. The public already sees whipping, illegal drug use, breakdowns, and the slaughter of Thoroughbreds as abusive. In addition to dealing with these life and death issues, the racing industry must not tolerate cruelty to any species by racing licensees. Thank you. Respectfully, Kathy Guillermo Senior Vice President Equine Matters PETA” This story will be updated as further information becomes available. The post PETA Urges Eclipse Awards To Ban Ortiz Brothers In Wake of Cockfighting Video appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • DEL RAY BEACH, FL–Newly-minted Eclipse Juvenile champion Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) drew a small crowd when registering a workmanlike four-furlong move at Palm Beach Downs Friday morning. Campaigned by Spendthrift Farm, the undefeated colt worked in tandem with the farm's Authentic Chance (Authentic). The pair completed the task in :50.81, with the roan finishing slightly ahead of his workmate. The work was the first half-mile move for the TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard since his victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile victory at Del Mar in November. He previously worked three furlongs in :37.01 at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 16. “We wanted to see him wanting to do it and we wanted to see him doing it easily and controlled and that's what we saw,” said Spendthrift Farm's General Manager Ned Toffey. “It looks like he's moving forward and he's on track. What we saw was very positive today.” He continued, “The rider was sitting motionless and had a lot of horse and probably could have done more, but we weren't looking for that. We were looking for something controlled and within himself and that's what we saw. He was striding out nicely and looking and looked like he could do more.”   Asked what the most likely route to the Triple Crown would be, Toffey said the tentative plan would be to start with Gulfstream's GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 28 before the GI Curlin Florida Derby on Mar. 28. “That's the plan but it's horse racing,” said Toffey. “Planning too far ahead, you may have to change your plans. But that's the plan right now.” Case in point, GI Spinaway and GI Alcibiades winner Tommy Jo (Into Mischief), who had been targeting the GIII Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream on Jan. 31 will miss the seven-furlong race after being forced to the sidelines. “We were hoping to go to the Forward Gal with her, but she ran into a couple of issues so she is going to get some time off,” he told TDN. “Hopefully, 'll see her return in the latter part of this year.” Named TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard after her win in a six-furlong Saratoga allowance last July, Tommy Jo won the Spinaway by 6 1/2 lengths over Percy's Bar (Upstart) before gaining the victory from that rival via DQ in the Alcibiades. In her latest start, she finished fifth behind Super Corredora (Gun Runner) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar on Oct. 31. The post Juvenile Champ Ted Noffey Works, Tommy Jo Sidelined appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • 2nd-GP, 84K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 11:30 a.m. Kicking off a loaded Pegasus World Cup card at Gulfstream Park, St. Elias Stable homebred BENEFICENCE (Into Mischief) makes her debut for trainer Todd Pletcher. The daughter of Playtime is a half-sister to GSW Jouster (Noble Mission {GB}), a mare who brought $1.5 million from Katsumi Yoshida at Keeneland November in 2022. Playtime herself is a daughter of Eclipse-winning 2-year-old filly Storm Flag Flying, meaning the family also includes MGISW My Flag. Quick on the work tab, Beneficence has put up four bullets from her last five works at Palm Beach Downs. She debuts Saturday with Lasix and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: Into Mischief Filly Opens Pegasus Card At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • The world's highest rated sprinter on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings in 2025, Ka Ying Rising will race for history in Sunday's G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin. A winner of 16 straight starts dating back to February 12, 2024, the son of Shamexpress will attempt to equal Silent Witness's record of 17 victories in a row for a Hong Kong-trained horse. The gelding was named Timeform Horse of the Year for 2025 just last week, as well as the joint second-best horse in the 2025 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. The David Hayes trainee's record stands at 17 wins from 19 starts, and Hayes is confident his charge can make it 17 wins on the bounce. Ka Ying Rising will leave from stall four with Zac Purton at the controls in an effort to win his second edition of the race. “Last start was probably his best win and he seems no worse and what's so special about him is that he just keeps putting up consistent ratings that are exceptional. Everything tells me that he's the same,” Hayes said of the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year. “I would say [his form is]] very similar. It's hard to say better, isn't it?” Hayes also runs Tomodachi Kokoroe (Written Tycoon) in the event and said, “Tomodachi Kokoroe needs to improve. He was fantastic until he got up to the upper class and then when he got into the Group 1s, he struggled. But he's healthy and well and I'm hoping he can run a place.” John Size will saddle Raging Blizzard (Per Incanto), who was second to Ka Ying Rising in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint in December, as well as Helios Express (Toronado), who was fifth in that race. “I don't think there's much between them at this stage of their careers; it just depends on the circumstances of the race, the tempo and the track conditions of the day to split them,” said the 13-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer. “Raging Blizzard ran a big race on international day to finish second and Helios Express has been consistent, too.”   Romantic Warrior Returns In Stewards' Cup Former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior stayed in Hong Kong this winter and will be making his first start of the new year in the 1600-metre G1 Stewards' Cup. Successful in the G1 Jebel Hatta last term, he ran second in both the G1 Saudi Cup and the G1 Dubai Turf in February and March. Back on top when taking his third G2 Boshk Jockey Club Cup in November, his victory in December's G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup was his fifth edition of the race. He will leave from stall seven in the nine-horse race. A winner of the Hong Kong Triple Crown during the 2024/2025 season, Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) will leave from barrier six. He is hunting his third Stewards' Cup title. Taking on the big two is John Size's G1 FWD Champions Mile winner Red Lion. Slated for stall one under Hugh Bowman, the son of Belardo ran third to Voyage Bubble and Soul Rush (Rulership) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in December. “You never know what can happen on a racetrack and that's how we live but, as we know, he's beaten the great horse [Voyage Bubble] once and that was a good example that on any given day, something can work in your favour,” Size said. “His run on international day was near his best and he's fit and well.” Said Size of his runners across both Group 1s, “I can't ask for anything more from them in their preparation, but you also can't expect too much when you're racing three champions like Ka Ying Rising, Voyage Bubble and Romantic Warrior. It could all go according to plan, or there could be an upset – you never know until they cross the line.” The post Ka Ying Rising Has Centenary Sprint Cup At His Mercy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
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