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Splendora highlights the Beholder Mile (G1), while Gas Me Up and El Potente battle in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G2T). View the full article

The first six out of seven mares bred checked in foal to Hill 'n' Dale Farms stallion Barnes (Into Mischief), a multiple graded stakes winner and $3.2-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling. The first mare bred and checked in foal to Barnes was Private Collection (Curlin). Her second dam is GISW Madcap Escapade (Hennessy). This is also the family of GISW Mi Sueno (Pulpit). Barnes stands at Hill 'n' Dale for $15,000. The post First Mares Checked in Foal to Barnes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer David Fawkes issued an upbeat report on Alex and JoAnn Lieblong's Reef Runner (The Big Beast) as he continues his preparations for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse on Mar. 28. “He's doing excellent,” Fawkes said. “Obviously I've got to do a lot by video or telephone, but watching him train, he loves it there and he's doing great.” The 5-year-old is taking everything in his stride according to Fawkes in spite of the intermittent military activity taking place around him at the sprawling facility, which is situated just six miles from Central Dubai and roughly 12 miles from Dubai International Airport, which has sustained some minor damage during the first week of the hostilities. “Seriously, nothing bothers that horse, he's bombproof,” Fawkes said, dark humor intended. “I am super happy with him. He's gained a little weight, beefed up a little bit, but that isn't a bad thing, though you do worry about fitness to some degree.” To that end, Fawkes indicated that Reef Runner's training will intensify over the coming weeks. “He is going to open-gallop this weekend, just a real strong half-mile or five-eighths and then come back the following weekend with a half-mile work or five-eighths, I haven't decided yet,” Fawkes said. “The week after that, he comes back for a maintenance half before he runs.” Fawkes is hopeful that Reef Runner's current purple patch of form continues into the Al Quoz. Demoted from an apparent victory in Del Mar's GIII Green Flash Handicap in August–which would have earned him a guaranteed Breeders' Cup berth–the homebred was a convincing winner of the GIII Eddie D. Stakes at Santa Anita the following month.       A respectable fourth in the Turf Sprint back at Del Mar on Nov. 1, the Florida-bred rolled home to take out Gulfstream's Janus Stakes Dec. 20 ahead of his success in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard Feb. 14. Left in his wake that afternoon was dual Group 1 winner Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}). The Al Quoz presents American runners in particular with a new challenge in that they are faced with a straight six-furlong trip. But Fawkes thinks Reef Runner will be up to the task. “He's not a good lead changer, but when it's not five-eighths and he's not under any pressure, he switches his leads beautifully, like he did in the Saudi race,” Fawkes said. “When I gelded him, he switched easier, but he can still be sluggish. One thing I've been told by many people is that horses that are sluggish with their lead changes do well in these straight races.” Fawkes's relationship with the Lieblongs stretches back fully three decades and for the couple, he has trained the likes of four-time graded winner and $1.9-million earner Duke of Mischief (Graeme Hall). The conditioner admits the win in Riyadh on Valentine's Day was one of the crowning moments of his career. “It meant a super-lot to me,” he admitted. “We got disqualified in the 'Win and You're In' and he did not deserve that. The ripple effects of those kind of things are dramatic in terms of breeding a horse like that. These guys have put so much into the game and to own the stallion and the broodmare, that means a lot to them. “A few years ago, Alex said, 'I want to have fun again.' I said, 'Let's do it, let's have fun.' But the best was his wife. If you could see the picture of her with her hands over her mouth, it's a wonderful picture. It means a lot to me that it means so much to them.” Given the current travel restrictions in place in the region and advisories issued by the U.S. State Department, Fawkes is not relying on American-based jockeys being able to make the trip. With that in mind, he said he has had conversations with top rider William Buick, though nothing has been firmed up as yet. Irad Ortiz, Jr. had the mount in the 1351 Turf Sprint. The post ‘Bombproof’ Reef Runner Thriving In Dubai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This year's Santa Anita Handicap (G1) has an expected field of six after the scratch of probable favorite Skippylongstocking following travel difficulties.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 03/02/2026 Licensee: Angela M. Aquino, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Golf Drama, who won at Los Alamitos on 1/11/26. Dates: 02/27/2026 Licensee: Michelle R. Winters, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Diosa Catrina, who finished sixth at Mahoning Valley on 1/22/26. Dates: 02/27/2026 Licensee: Jose Puentes, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Whisky My God on 1/14/26. Dates: 02/26/2026 Licensee: Richard Dutrow, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Dame Cinco, who won at Aqueduct on 6/21/24. Dates: 02/25/2026 Licensee: Caryn Vecchio, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. The following cases are treated as one violation. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in samples taken from Poppy's Pride, who won at Mahoning Valley on 1/22/26, and won at Mahoning Valley on 1/5/26. Dates: 02/25/2026 Licensee: James M. Watkins, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Smart Joker, who won at Fairmount Park on 9/16/25. Pending ADMC Violations 03/04/2026, Santiago Medina, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Feeling Macho, who won at Gulfstream Park on 1/16/25. 03/04/2026, Edward Freeman, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Emma G, who won at Los Alamitos on 12/12/25. 03/02/2026, Michael V. Pino, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Tramadol–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Samantha's Capo, who finished second at Park Racing on 1/12/26. 02/27/2026, Victor Carrasco, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sea Art on 2/3/26. 02/27/2026, Miguel Penaloza, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Maliblue, who won at Parx Racing on 1/14/26. 02/27/2026, Carlos A. David, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Caffeine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from One Sweet Girl, who won at Gulfstream Park on 11/23/25. 02/27/2026, Drew C. Fulmer, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Amphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Unified A.P., who won at Turf Paradise on 11/15/25. 02/26/2026, Katherine M. Voss, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Upshot on 1/23/26. 02/25/2026, J. Guadalupe Guerrero, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Testosterone–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Can't Stop a Chub, who according to Equibase suffered a catastrophic injury to her right hind midrace in the third at Parx Racing on 7/22/25, and was subsequently euthanized. Crop Violations Aqueduct Gokhan Kocakaya–violation date February 27; $500 fine, one-day suspension Manuel Franco–violation date February 26; $250 fine, one-day suspension Sunland Park Victor Castro–violation date March 2; $500 fine, two-day suspension Turfway Park Summer L. Pauly–violation date February 28; $41 fine, no other information Jose R. Gutierrez–violation date February 28; $32 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly National Rulings: Feb. 26-Mar. 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Raging Torrent (by Maximus Mischief), new to the Lane's End roster for 2026, has his first mare confirmed in foal, according to a press release from the stallion operation on Wednesday. Owned by V. Gail Ray and Ramspring Farm, the covered mare is She'srunninghappy (Runhappy), who produced her second foal–a filly by Timberlake–Jan. 14. Out of an extended female family which includes GSW He Loves Me (Not For Love), the current 7-year-old is a half-sister to Canadian GSW Easy Time (Not This Time) and MSW Softly Lit (Latent Heat). As for Raging Torrent, he won at first asking in his 2-year-old debut at Del Mar and hit the board in the GIII Best Pal Stakes over the same surface. Turning a year older, the Chief Stipe O'Neill trainee cleared an allowance at Churchill Downs, where he scored by 8 1/4 lengths. During a span where he won six of seven, Raging Torrent took the Maxfield Overnight Stakes in Louisville and captured the GII Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar. Raging Torrent capped his 2024 season with his first top level victory in the GI Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita. Facing an international field in the G2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan, O'Neill's charge kicked off his 4-year-old campaign with a successful trip to Dubai. Returning to the U.S., the future sire went gate to wire in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap to close out his career around the racetrack with $1,797,400 in earnings. The new Lane's End stallion stands for $15,000. The post First Mare In Foal To New Lane’s End Stallion Raging Torrent appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Goffs has announced the first wave of nominated bonus races available for qualified horses that were sold at last year's Orby Sale. Bonuses of €50,000 will be on offer for the Orby graduates whose connections have paid a €5,000 entry to the scheme.  Similarly to last year, there will be €1m in bonuses on offer, split down the middle between Britain and Ireland. The first qualifying race of the season in Ireland will be the opening two-year-old maiden over 5f at the Curragh on March 15. Meanwhile, the Brocklesby at Doncaster on March 28 kick-starts the bonus series in Britain. The full list of nominated races is now available to view here on the Goffs website. Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “The Goffs €1,000,0000 Bonus Series offers Orby buyers as many opportunities to win as possible and we look forward to seeing graduates compete for these hugely valuable prizes right from the start of the season. “Of course, the Two Million Series also features Europe's Richest Two-Year-Old Race, the Goffs Million, which provides a wonderful focal point ahead of the Orby Sale with prize money to tenth place. “The Two Million Series was created to reward buyers and maintain momentum from the sale to the racecourse, and vendors are also benefiting in the ring as increasing numbers of purchasers are “ticking the box” to qualify for the series.” He added, “Orby Sale nominations are now open. All yearlings in the 2026 Orby Sale, which takes place on Monday 28 – Tuesday 29 September (Orby Book 1) and Wednesday 30 September – Thursday 1 October (Orby Book 2), will also be eligible for a guaranteed €2,000,000 prize fund in 2027. The continued strength and consistency of Ireland's national yearling sale was underlined again last year, with record average and median prices achieved alongside multiple seven-figure lots at Orby. Buyer diversity was a key feature, with eight individual purchasers securing the top ten lots, while the top three leading purchasers were Amo Racing, MV Magnier and Resolute Racing.” The post Goffs Release List Of Nominated Orby Bonus Races With €1 Million Up For Grabs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Caspar Fownes extended his championship lead with a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Douglas Whyte ended his long drought and Luke Ferraris and Zac Purton dominated the card with trebles. Fownes bagged the opening two races on the card, extending his championship lead to 39 over nearest rivals Mark Newnham and David Hayes on 36. Hugh Bowman maintained his unblemished record on the Fownes-trained Super Sicario to take out the Class Five Kwoon Chung Motors Handicap (1,800m) before Luke...View the full article

Tyler Gaffalione earned the title after he won the Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3) aboard Lion Lake, the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) aboard Grand Sonata and the Honey Fox Stakes (G3) aboard Lush Lips.View the full article