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Repole Stable's Grande returns to racing action Feb. 14 at Gulfstream Park after being scratched from the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Trainer Eddie Clouston, who was third in earnings and second in victories at the 2025 Mountaineer Park meet, has been suspended six months and fined $5,000 by that track's stewards stemming from a Class 1/Penalty Category A post-race drug positive for oxymorphone in the urine of a filly who broke her maiden by 8 ¼ lengths as the 3-2 favorite three months ago. Oxymorphone is a semi-synthetic opioid analgesic derived from morphine that is used in humans to treat severe or chronic pain, often when other pain medications are not strong enough. It is a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States because of its high abuse potential. When prescribed for horses, oxymorphone is primarily used in anesthesia settings as opposed to managing routine pain. According to the Feb. 10, 2026, ruling, “This medication/prohibited substance violation is the permit holder's second violation in a 365-day period for medication/prohibited substance carrying a Class 1 penalty.” The charges represent only one side of the story. TDN could not reach the 60-year-old Clouston for comment prior to deadline for this article. He has 20 days to file an appeal, although the West Virginia Racing Commission confirmed in a Thursday email that no appeal has yet been lodged. Clouston's training record on Equibase dates to 1985 and includes 2,135 lifetime winners. The then-3-year-old filly Maam Cross (Dialed In) triggered the positive Nov. 18, 2025, in a Mountaineer maiden-claiming sprint. After being notified of the positive, Clouston exercised his right to have a split sample tested, and that second test again confirmed the finding. A $100,000 OBSAPR buy as a 2-year-old, Maam Cross had only once hit the board in four previous starts at Santa Anita, Horseshoe Indianapolis, Thistledown and Mahoning Valley. The Mountaineer start was the first for Maam Cross under Clouston's care and for the filly's new owner, Michelle Helms. Maam Cross has been disqualified from the victory, and the order of finish and purse money have been redistributed. After winning, Maam Cross subsequently ran third as the 3-10 favorite in a NW2L claiming sprint at Mountaineer Nov. 30. She has not started since. Unless an appeal triggers a stay, Clouston's suspension will run through Aug. 3, 2026.   The post Mountaineer Trainer Clouston Suspended Six Months, Fined $5,000 for Second Class 1 Drug Positive in 1 Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Talented driver Josh Dickie is hoping the next phase of his career can start with a win at Alexandra Park tonight. Dickie partners last-start winner Father Barry for his father John in the opening race tonight, the $15,000 Classique Landscapers Metro heat and punters can expect to see him doing far more driving for the family and outside stables in the future. Dickie and fiancée Sammy Kilgour have gone out on their own account after two years working for premiership trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer, that stint coming after the couple had been based in Victoria. “We just thought it was time to try to build our own business,” says Dickie. “We have a handful of horses and are training those alongside Dad on his property. “We have nice numbers there now but are looking to grow so will be at the yearling sales next week and I’ll be looking to get back into more freelance driving.” Dickie has driven 14 Group 1 winners and has already started to build his freelance contacts again now he is not tied to a stable. “And we want to train more as well,” he explains. “Dad was almost retired a couple of years ago but the three of us are enjoying being back working together so he says he will be sticking around for a few more years now too. “So the next phase is exciting.” Father Barry sits alongside Higher Power as one of the two most talented trotters in tonight’s opener but both can gallop so their clash could be decided by manners. Higher Power’s trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan hold the key to a few of tonight’s races, with Sooner The Bettor favourite for the main handicap pace even off his 30m backmark. Sooner The Bettor was a last-start third in the Auckland Cup and while his best performances come when able to lead or race handy, he only faces four rivals tonight so his handicap may not be enough to stop him winning. Later in the night a rare mobile sprint for the better grade trotters could see American Muscle potentially the value option as she has produced some top class sprinting performances in the last year.   View the full article

Darby Dan Farm's Shirl's Speight (Speightstown–Perfect Shirl, by Perfect Soul {Ire}), sired his first reported foal when a filly out of the multiple stakes-placed Ultimate Class (Durling) was born at Crupper Bloodstock in Paris, Kentucky, on Feb. 9. The filly's dam amassed earnings of $283,253 during her racing career and she has also produced multiple graded stakes-placed Bad Beat Brian who has banked $865,158. “I was very pleased with this filly from the moment she stood,” said Megan Morrison, Crupper Bloodstock, of the first arrival by Shirl's Speight. “Even in a newborn, it was obvious she had a great angle to her shoulder and a deep heart girth.” A homebred for Charles Fipke, the bay registered his biggest victory in the 2022 GI Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland, earning a career-high 104 Beyer Speed Figure. He ranked among the top milers that season when also second by less than a length to champion Modern Games (GB) in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. All told in an outstanding racing career, Shirl's Speight hit the board in 10-of-25 appearances competing against top-level horses around the world, banking $1,497,245. Shirl's Speight is by the late Speightstown, a champion sprinter, winner of the 2004 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Shirl's Speight is a member of a dynamic and highly achieving family cultivated by Fipke through the decades. Fipke purchased Shirl's Speight's second dam, Grade I winner Lady Shirl, for $485,000 at the 2005 Keeneland November sale. He bred Lady Shirl to his homebred Sadler's Wells stallion Perfect Soul  to get Perfect Shirl, winner of the 2011 GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Perfect Shirl earned more than $1.3 million during her accomplished racing career. For more information on Shirl's Speight, who stands for $5,000 S&N, contact Stuart Fitzgibbon at (859) 621-6763, or by email at Stuart@darbydan.com, or visit www.darbydan.com. The post First Foal for Darby Dan Farm’s Grade I Winner Shirl’s Speight appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet–Maggy Hawk, by Hawkster), the 2005 Champion 3-Year-Old Male and winner of both the GI Preakness and GI Belmont Stakes, was euthanized on Feb. 6 due to the infirmities of old age. He was 24. Afleet Alex will be buried at Gainesway. Retired to stud at Gainesway in 2006, he remained as a resident pensioner since 2022. Bred in Florida by John Martin Silvertand, Afleet Alex won by 11 1/4 lengths at Delaware Park before being purchased by Cash is King LLC and moved into the barn of trainer Timothy Ritchey. An impressive 5 1/4-length winner of the GII Sanford Stakes, he then took the GI Hopeful Stakes before closing his season with a runner-up finish in the GI Breeders' Cup' Juvenile. Afleet Alex punched his ticket to the GI Kentucky Derby with an eight-length victory in the GII Arkansas Derby, then he finished third on the First Saturday in May. Afleet Alex took the GI Preakness Stakes, delivering one of the most iconic performances in Triple Crown history. In the stretch, Afleet Alex clipped heels with rival Scrappy T causing him to stumble badly. Despite nearly falling to his knees, Afleet Alex recovered and powered down the Pimlico stretch to win by 4 3/4 lengths. Afleet Alex then confirmed his status as the top 3-year-old of his class in the GI Belmont Stakes, scoring by seven lengths. That effort secured him the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male of 2005. “Afleet Alex's Preakness Stakes remains one of the most incredible displays of athleticism and heart I have ever seen. He passed that same determination and talent down to his offspring,” said Gainesway owner Antony Beck. “A true champion in every sense and his presence at the farm will be deeply missed.” Afleet Alex retired to Gainesway in 2006, where he proved to be a versatile sire over 15 seasons. He sired over 50 stakes winners with progeny earnings surpassing $54.8 million. His stallion career was highlighted by the 2010 GI Travers Stakes, where three runners from his debut crop ran in the 'Midsummer Classic', including winner Afleet Express. He also sired Breeders' Cup winners Texas Red (Juvenile) and Afleet Again (Marathon), as well as Canadian Champion Skywire (Canada). Other top-level performers included Grade I winners Iotapa, Materiality, Sharla Rae, and Dublin. As a broodmare sire, his daughters have produced Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston, along with Grade I winners Practical Move, Dream Tree, and Goal Oriented. Beyond the racetrack and his stallion career, Afleet Alex's most significant legacy is his partnership with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. His success on the track helped raise millions of dollars and national awareness for childhood cancer research in honor of Alex Scott. Years later he remains synonymous with the cause and continues to provide hope for children and their families. “Afleet Alex was truly a horse of a lifetime. From his first race at Delaware Park to his triumph in the Belmont Stakes, he defined class and pure athleticism,” recalled his owner, Charles Zacney. “Off the track, his affiliation with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation was transformative; Liz Scott credits much of their success to him. It was a special era, and we'll forever cherish the ride and the memories. He will be deeply missed.”     The post Champion and Dual Classic Winner Afleet Alex Dies at 24 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Looking to be named the belle of the ball in a Gulfstream maiden, Prom Queen (Quality Road–Miss Bling Bling, by Tapit) ran on nicely to wear a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', crown on Thursday afternoon. A runner-up on debut in Hallandale last month, the 3-year-old was ready for her two turn dance as the heavy favorite. In the mix from the bell, at one point up the backstretch though she was shuffled back to last. Prom Queen got into action around the far turn and navigated through traffic. At the top of the lane the homebred took control and never looked back. Squander (Quality Road) checked in second. The final running time was 1:45.77. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0. O/B-Gary & Mary West (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. The post Quality Road’s Prom Queen Voted ‘TDN Rising Star’ After Gulfstream Maiden Dance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) and the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse feature American-trained runners or owned interests, other races on the Saudi Cup undercard also include notable U.S. representatives. View the full article

Repole Stable's Grande returns to racing action Feb. 14 at Gulfstream Park after being scratched from the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

A pair of runners trained by Todd Pletcher are being targeted for Gulfstream Park's marquee races for 3-year-olds this winter. WinStar Farm LLC, CHC Inc. and First Go Racing LLC's undefeated Jackson Hole (Nyquist) is on track for a start in the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Feb. 28, while Centennial Farms' Nearly (Not This Time) will make his next start in the GI Curlin Florida Derby on Mar. 28. “He's doing very well. He's scheduled to breeze [Friday], and we're pointing for the Fountain of Youth,” Pletcher said of the former. Jackson Hole, a $1.3 million purchase at the 2024 Keeneland September sale, debuted at Gulfstream Dec. 13 with a rallying one-length victory in a seven-furlong maiden special weight. The colt became a TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard when taking his two-turn debut by 5 1/2 lengths at Fair Grounds on Jan. 17 in a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance. “I thought he ran very well. He made a comfortable lead and it seemed like he had plenty left at the end,” Pletcher said. “It was a good performance in his second start for shipping out of town and making his first start around two turns.” According to Pletcher, the timing is still right for Holy Bull hero Nearly to race next in the $1-million Florida Derby. “We felt like we'd give him a little time. He had four races fairly close together. We thought we'd give him the chance to get a little breather,” Pletcher said. “We like the spacing of that.” Nearly, who was a disappointing sixth in his Oct. 26 debut at Aqueduct, has won three races in a row at Gulfstream. The colt scored by 9 1/4 lengths in a six-furlong maiden special weight Nov. 22 and came right back to draw off to a five-length victory in a seven-furlong optional claiming allowance Jan. 2. Negotiating two turns for the first time proved to be no problem for Nearly, who pressed the pace before drawing off to a 5 3/4-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull Jan. 31. “Hopefully, if he were to run well in the Florida Derby, it would be five weeks back to the [Kentucky] Derby,” Pletcher said. The post Pletcher’s Jackson Hole Returns in Fountain of Youth, Nearly Heads Straight to Florida Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article