Wandering Eyes

HISA is seeking public comment on proposed modifications to the Rule Series 5000 (Equine Testing and Investigation Standards) and 7000 (Arbitration Procedures) of its Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program.View the full article

The $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) has joined the roster of prestigious North American races for the 2026 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, Breeders' Cup Limited and Oaklawn Park announced Jan. 22.View the full article

Friday, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, post time: 20:25, AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE-G1, AED3,680,000, 4yo/up & SH 3yo, 1900m Field: Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Imperial Emperor (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), Artorious (Arrogate), Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Kabirkhan (Calilfornia Chrome), Killer Collect (Collected), Masmak (Vino Rosso). TDN Analysis: Walk Of Stars held Imperial Emperor to second in last year's edition for trainer Bhupat Seemar who saddles six here. Those two both step forward again, while Seemar stablemate Kabirkhan exploded to a 4 3/4-length victory here in 2024, and is another gunning to reclaim his title. Imperial Emperor warmed up for Friday's challenge with an easy victory in the G2 Al Maktoum Mile on Festive Friday. Heart Of Honor is best known for the Meydan races he didn't win, but the multiple group-placed gelding rattled home a winner in the Listed The Entisar over Artorius in December and the four-year-old could be coming into his own. Tumbarumba, a Grade III hero in the U.S. is making his second start at Meydan. Friday, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, post time: 21:00, JEBEL HATTA-G1, AED1,850,000, 4yo/up & SH 3yo, 1800mT Field: Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Holloway Boy (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Silawi (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Midak (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), Vafortino (Ire) (New Bay {GB}). TDN Analysis: It is difficult to see beyond Opera Ballo and Nations Pride in the Jebel Hatta, as that duo ran one-two for Godolphin in the G2 Al Rashidiya in December and it was over eight lengths back to third-place finisher First Conquest (Teofilo) in third. Holloway Boy, third in this to Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in 2025, won a listed race at Kempton in December, but was only fifth to Quddwah (Kingman) in the G2 Zabeel Mile the day after New Year's Day. The GI Canadian International Stakes was Silawi's in October, and, although he ran unplaced in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, the six-year-old gelding could cause the upset on Friday. Friday, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, post time: 19:50, BLUE POINT SPRINT-G2, AED850,000, 3yo/up, 1000mT Field: West Acre (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Cover Up (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Democracy Dilemma (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Spartan Arrow (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Tawalla (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Logo Hunter (Ire) (Brazen Beau {Aus}), Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}), Echo Point (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Swift Asset (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), The Man (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Hilitany (GB) (Ubettabelieveit {Ire}). TDN Analysis: West Acre romped in the 2025 edition of this race, with Ponntos second and Cover Up third. However, he hasn't found the winner's circle since. Friday is his 2026 UAE bow. Cover Up triumphed in the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash prepping for this contest. Spartan Arrow bested West Acre going 1000 metres at Dundalk in October. Friday, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, post time: 18:40, AL FAHIDI FORT-G2, AED850,000, 4yo/up & SH 3yo, 1400mT Field: Witness Stand (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}), Marbaan (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Lethal Levi (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}), Shootout (Ire) (Areion {Ger}), Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Chicago Critic (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Apollo One (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), Tumbler (Fr) (Kingman {GB}), Yaroogh (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Elnajmm (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Khanjar (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Andreas Vesalius (Ire) (Caravaggio), Hougquetot (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Mountbatten (Ire) (Dabirsim {Fr}). TDN Analysis: Mysterious Night, a winner of the GI Summer Stakes back in 2022, captured the 2024 edition of this contest and was second last year to the re-opposing Marbaan. Khanjar split that duo in the Listed Business Bay Challenge on Festive Friday last month. Group 1 winner Audience came home third in the G2 Zabeel Mile earlier this month and the shorter trip could do the trick for the seven-year-old. Successful in the G3 Sprint Trophy over this distance at Cologne in September, Shootout brings German form to the table on Friday. Friday, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, post time: 22:10, AL KHAIL TROPHY-G3, AED700,000, 2810mT Field: Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Epic Poet (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Goya Senora (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}), West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Real Ream (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Kihavah (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), Nightwalker (GB) (Frankel {GB}). TDN Analysis: Meydaan prevailed in good style trying this course and distance on January 2 with the re-opposing third Nightwalker set to test him once again. A multiple group winner in France and placed at Group 1 level in Europe and Australia, West Wind Blows turns his sights to Meydan. Second in a Kempton listed race after almost two years away from the races in November, he proved he still held his old spark when taking the Listed Prix Arcangues at Deauville by 1 1/2 lengths on December 23. 2025 G2 Dubai Gold Cup third Epic Poet returns to Meydan, with his most recent effort a second-place run in rallying fashion in the G3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes in August. Friday, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, post time: 18:05, FIREBREAK STAKES-G3, AED700,000, 4yo/up & SH 3yo, 1600m Field: Fort Payne (Fr) (Rio De La Plata), Commissioner King (Commissioner), Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn), Meshtri (Medaglia d'Oro), Crown Board (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Hypnus (Into Mischief), Made In Dubai (More Than Ready). TDN Analysis: Second to Al Maktoum Challenge entry Imperial Emperor (Dubawi) in the G2 Al Maktoum Mile in December, Commissioner King is hoping to find the competition more to his liking in this class drop. Listed hero Mendelssohn Bay, third that day, returns as well. Hypnus makes his Meydan debut after running second in a 1000-metre trial over this surface earlier this month. Also making his first start in the desert is Crown Board, who exits a Chelmsford handicap with a win over this trip in December. Friday, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, post time: 21:35, UAE 2000 GUINEAS-G3, AED700,000, 3yo, 1600m Field: Legalaized (Arg) (Dabster), Namaguederaz (Uru) (Algorithms), Don Pelicano (Uru) (Midshipman), Six Speed (Not This Time), Devon Island (Practical Joke), Union Security (Maximum Security), Brotherly Love (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Lino Padrino (Uncle Lino), Raajehh (Complexity), Rammaas (Speightstown), Duke Of Immatin (Gun Runner), Yasup (Yaupon), Awesome Fleet (US Navy Flag), Senator Of State (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), Al Khawaneej (Honest Mischief), Yamdeek (Yaupon). TDN Analysis: Two-for-three after claiming conditions races over 1200m and 1400m over the winter, Six Speed looks tough for his 15 rivals on Friday. Trying 1600 metres for the first time, he clashes with Brotherly Love, a half-brother to Heart Of Honor (Honor A. P.). Devon Island holds the same record as Six Speed and defeated Brotherly Love in November and December over the 2000 Guineas distance. Raajehh scampered home an easy winner of a 1200-metre conditions race here in December. Senator Of State already sports a tally over this trip at Dundalk, but will be making his Meydan debut. Friday, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, post time: 19:15, AL SHINDAGHA SPRINT-G3, AED700,000, 3yo/up, 1200m Field: Dark Saffron (Flameaway), El Nasseeb (GB) (Profitable {Ire}), Mufasa (Chi) (Practical Joke), Drew's Gold (Violence), Morning (Munnings), Colour Up (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). TDN Analysis: El Nasseeb is riding a three-race UAE winning streak, with his latest success a victory over Mufasa and Colour Up in the G3 Dubawi Stakes over track and trip on January 2. Drew's Gold defeated Echo Point in a 1200-metre handicap here in mid-December. A winner of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen last April, Dark Saffron is searching for redemption. The four-year-old gelding won a conditions affair here in November, but has been soundly beaten by El Nasseeb in his last two appearances. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 15:00, CENTENARY SPRINT CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, 3yo/up, 1200mT Field: Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}), Fast Network (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}), Raging Blizzard (NZ) (Per Incanto), Tomodachi Kokoroe (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), Beauty Waves (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Lucky With You (Aus) (Artie Schiller). TDN Analysis: Ka Ying Rising will attempt to make history and equal Hong Kong legend Silent Witness's record of 17 wins in a row by a Hong Kong-trained horse. A surprise here is not impossible, but Helios Express needs to find 12 pounds via international ratings. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 16:05, STEWARDS' CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, 3yo/up, 1600mT Field: Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}), Beauty Joy (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}), Red Lion (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}), Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), My Wish (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Sunlight Power (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}). TDN Analysis: It is difficult to look beyond Hong Kong heavyweights Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble in Sunday's Stewards' Cup. The former holds top-level form in four countries and is running in his first 1600-metre race since claiming Japan's G1 Yasuda Kinen in 2024. The latter has won two editions of the Stewards' Cup in 2024/2025. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Can Heart Of Honor Go All The Way? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The International Conference for the Health, Safety, and Welfare of Jockeys was hosted in Hong Kong Dec. 11-12. The conference featured presentations and panel discussions with leading experts in the field. A replay is now available.View the full article

Trainer James Cassidy died Wednesday at his home in Monrovia, California after suffering from heart disease. He was 80. Born Aug. 21, 1945 in New York City, Cassidy got his start working with show horses at the age of 12. He would later transition to racehorses and in 1975, Cassidy took out his trainer's license. He then spent more than a decade working as an assistant for such top Eastern-based trainers as Joe Canty, Frank Whitely and Charles Sanborne before striking out on his own. Cassidy's first starter as a trainer came Oct. 2, 1989 at Belmont Park, according to Equibase statistics. In late 1993, after only a handful of runners in New York, Cassidy moved his training operation to Southern California. He won his first-ever race at Hollywood Park Dec. 12, 1993, with the claiming horse Royal Torrent (His Majesty). Cassidy continued to operate a small stable at Santa Anita up until his death. His final starter who he also owned was Pure Chaos (Sir Prancealot {Ire}). The filly ran Jan. 11 at Santa Anita and finished third in a maiden special weight. Cassidy won 442 races in his career while compiling $30,715,582 in purse earnings. His final win came Apr. 25, 2025 at Santa Anita with Princess Snow (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) for owner-breeder DP Racing. Notable horses from the Cassidy barn were Grade I-winning millionaires Evening Jewel (Northern Afleet), The Usual Q.T (Unusual Heat) and Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Appluase {GB}); and millionaire Grade II winner Moscow Burning (Moscow Ballet). Cassidy also served multiple terms as president of California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT), an organization that represents the interests of Thoroughbred trainers in the state. “Jim just loved horses. Period,” said Alan Balch, executive director of California Thoroughbred Trainers. “From the first time I met him, that's what stood out to me. He had his early experience on Long Island with show horses, and we had that in common when I first met him in connection with CTT. And he loved the Yankees, he always wore that cap proudly.” Cassidy served as president of the CTT in 2009 and again from 2012 through June 2019. “Jim had a special knack with fillies and mares, and the records prove it,” Balch said. “He served the backstretch community as a whole tirelessly, through both the Gregson Foundation and his CTT leadership.” Details on services will be announced at a later date. The post California-Based Trainer James Cassidy Dies At 80 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

HALLANDALE, FLORIDA–One year ago, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. couldn't have been flying higher after White Abarrio (Race Day) ran away to a sparkling 6 1/4-length victory in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park. The victory had capped a roller coaster ride for Joseph after the grey had previously won the GI Whitney and GI Breeders' Cup Classic for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., but things seemed to go off course after that. Back under the supervision of Joseph at Gulfstream in the fall of 2024, the grey appeared to have finally turned things around, winning three out of four starts for the Florida-based trainer, however, a trio of off-the-board finishes in Grade I company at Saratoga signaled another cooling off period. And then, the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar. Entered in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, White Abarrio was unceremoniously scratched by the track veterinarian mere moments before the race, prompting the horses' connections–C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa Stable–to launch an investigation into the matter. While failing to achieve any sort of official action from the ensuing litigation, Joseph remains steadfast that the scratch was unwarranted. Unraced since finishing fifth in last summer's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, the 7-year-old faces the daunting task of trying to win another Pegasus World Cup on Saturday. Accompanied by Irad Ortiz Jr., White Abarrio posted his latest workout on Jan. 18, going four furlongs in :51.4 (83/86). “Last year we went in full of confidence,” said Joseph Jr. said. “This year, it's a different set of circumstances.” Asked how the long stint away from the races might affect his title defense, Joseph explained, “I don't think it's going to be fitness, because he's never had any down time. He would always gallop, gallop, gallop. When you have down time that's when you run into fitness issues.” Given a 4-1 chance on the morning line, White Abarrio will have to contend with the less-than-ideal post 11. “Nothing you can do about that. It is what it is,” Joseph said. “Irad is the best at working out bad posts. The break's the most important thing from any draw.” Hoping to turn the page on 2025 with White Abarrio, Joseph also returns to the Pegasus program with another World Cup prospect. Daniel Alonso's Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) enters the fray off of last-out victory in Gulfstream's GIII Harlan's Holiday Stakes on Dec. 20. Last season's GII Hollywood Gold Cup winner will be making his fourth start in the race, having finished achieved his best finish when third behind his stablemate last year. “There's confidence that he can win it,” Joseph said. “He's had the right preparation.” The 7-year-old finished seventh in the 2023 renewal of the race and after breaking from post 12, he was pulled up and walked off in 2024. In 2025, the bay broke from post 9. “Skippy is a hard-trying horse,” Joseph said. “The draw didn't treat White Abarrio good, but I think he can overcome it. Skippy drew better. The last couple years, [Skippylongstocking has] drawn bad. He's doing well and he goes over there with a very good chance.” In other Pegasus World Cup action, Joseph is also well represented in the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf, sending out In Our Time (Not This Time) and Movin' On Up (Accelerate). Joseph won last year's renewal of the race with Be Your Best, with In Our Time finishing third. Campaigned by Resolute Racing and Miller Racing, stakes winner In Our Time was last seen finishing second in the GI Matriarch at Del Mar in November. “In Our Time's goal was this race after finishing third last year,” he said. “She's coming off a big run.” Movin' On Up, two for three over the course, enters off a second-place finish in Gulftsream's Suwannee River Stakes over a mile on Dec. 20. “Movin' On Up is also doing well,” he said. “Obviously, she loves the course and has the course record on the track. She ran well last time. Hopefully, she'll run big again this time.” Of his World Cup chances this weekend, Joseph was pragmatic. “There's a lot of horses with chances,” he said. “Hopefully, we'll win back-to-back.” Additionally, Joseph's other chances on the stakes undercard include GSW Indy Bay (Take Charge Indy), who heads a trio of runners for the trainer in the GII Inside Information Stakes. Victorious in the GII Charles Town Oaks last August, the 4-year-old was last seen being eased in the GI Cotillion Stakes at Parx in September. Joseph also saddles Claret Beret (Not This Time) and last season's GIII Royal Delta winner and GI Ogden Phipps runner-up Dazzling Move (Not This Time). He also saddles Venencia (Recoletos {Fr}) and Ramsey Pond (Divisdero) in the renamed GIII Christophe Clement Stakes. The post Joseph Jr. Looking for Redemption in Pegasus World Cup? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The post Future of Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen intends to run Soldier N Diplomat in the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) Jan. 31 at Oaklawn, with stablemate Obliteration headed to the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) Feb. 14 in Saudi Arabia. View the full article

By Michael Guerin This is the campaign in which Bazooka needs to stand up but trainer Steven Reid isn’t entirely sure tonight’s main pace at Addington will be the moment it happens. Bazooka resumes after a month away in the Touchdown Rentals Pace (8.55pm) in which he faces barrier 9 in the 1980m mobile but meets few horses with his natural ability. While Beside Me ($1.85) looked a superstar filly this time last year Bazooka ($3.70) looked an open class horse in the making a year ago. “To be honest I thought he would have gone further by now,” admits Reid. “He has real ability but he went through a bit of a flat patch. “But I was a lot happier with his second at Invercargill last start (behind J T Boe) and he has been very good at the trials since. “I reckon the next three to six months we will find out what we really have with him. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he went through to the verge of open class but that is up to him now.” While an open class horse would be winning tonight’s race Reid says the barrier draw does concern him. “Being his first run in five weeks I am not that fussed about him rushing forward and trying to lead,” he explains. “I actually think he might be even better driven with a sit anyway but I realise that makes him harder to back. “I like a bet and I am keen on the horse but to be backing him this week I’d want $4 or $5,” says Reid, somewhat optimistically. Reid also has a real chance in the $35,000 Majestic Horse Floats Tasman Empress Final (7.56pm) with Nothing But You drawn barrier 1 in the small field. “She is a mare who has taken time to mature,” explains Reid. “But she is getting there now. She went two good races at Nelson and I think she will go well again.” Reid is counting down to the public return of his little superstar pacer Jumal, who was our best juvenile last season. “He will be back at the trials on February 11,” says Reid. “I’d say he will have two trials and then resume at Alexandra Park on March 13 and into the Harness Million on March 20. “I just love this horse and he has come back great. He hasn’t grown much, which always makes you wonder the others will catch up, but he has filled out. “But he looks really well so I am stoked and can’t wait to get him back.” View the full article

By Michael Guerin Nathan Purdon has plenty of reasons to be excited as he heads to the first Alexandra Park meeting of the year tonight. Because not only does the meeting boast the first juvenile race of the season but Purdon dominates it with four of the seven starters. The $17,000 Breckon Farms Young Gun heat (8.05pm) starts a run toward the $100,000 final at Alexandra Park on March 20 and the series looks set to provide a great advertisement for Purdon’s new business now that he is training on his own account. Things are looking good, we have 25 horses in work and 37 on the books,” he explained. “And this is a stage of the season we really love, when the two-year-olds start stepping out. “It has always been a big part of Dad’s career as he loved training the babies and I am the same.” Purdon says Coal Face (R7, No.6) is the clear best chance of his quartet tonight. “He is a very natural pacer who has been good at the workouts,” he explains. “Andre (Poutama) who will do most of my main driving when Dad isn’t available will be on him this week and I am have been really happy with how he has been handling our horses. “I think Dontgetmestarted (Sweet Lou) is the next best for this Friday as he is very professional and ready to go whereas I think the other two are more staying types of horses who will get better as the series goes on.” Earlier in the night Purdon will be represented by the enigmatic Pantani off the front line in the first race. Pantani once looked a budding open class trotter before his manners consistently let him down and they threatened to do so again in first outing for Purdon at Cambridge on December 24 before he recovered from a skip at the top of the straight to win. “He is a tricky horse and has a few issues,” says Nathan. “He can go out and trot faultlessly for five or six trackwork sessions in a row and then gallop in the next one for no reason. “I think the key is getting his confidence back and being off the front this week if he can step and stay in front it could suit him.” Pantani does step a long way up in grade though as he has proven group horses like One More Moment and Courmayeur just 10m behind him at the start. Tonight’s meeting also hosts two Metro heats for both the pacers and the trotters leading into $35,000 finals back at The Park on January 30. View the full article

8th-GP, $84k, Msw, 3yo, f, 1m, 3:50 p.m. ET Shadwell Stable's ELGHEED (Tapit), a $1.2-million Keeneland September purchase in 2024, makes her first trip to the post for trainer Todd Pletcher. The filly is the first foal out of Immediate Impact (Into Mischief), a half-sister to champion Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) who won her lone racetrack appearance for Bob Baffert in 2019. The mare's second foal, a filly by Flightline, sold for $1.6 million to Douglas Scharbauer at the 2025 Keeneland September sale. Brad Cox saddles firster Prom Queen (Quality Road), a homebred for Gary and Mary West. The filly is out of Miss Bling Bling (Tapit), a daughter of Canadian champion Milwaukee Appeal (Milwaukee Brew) and a full-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Actress, dam of G1 Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}). TJCIS PPs The post Friday Insights: Pricey Tapit Filly Debuts at Gulfstream Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

ThoroFan is a national non-profit Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc (501 (c)(3)) with 18 years of experience representing the interest of Thoroughbred racing fans across the country. We are proud of our monikers, “Giving the Fan a Voice” and “An educated Fan is a Better Fan.” With the current takeout rates present in parimutuel racing today, the average fan contributes, at minimum, 20-30 percent of the money that sustains the success of the industry (with larger retail handicappers/players contributing much more) yet is not allowed anywhere near that type of representation or a seat at the table with the regulatory bodies of racing. If racing is to thrive and grow by the year 2036, we see the following as being present in the industry in some form: For the Fans 1. A sport where the on-track experience draws fans to the racetrack, not just to watch on their phones or at home. While younger generations and the affluent gravitate toward premium amenities, racetracks should also create welcoming spaces for the game's veterans: those who value comfort over spectacle and deserve recognition as vital contributors to racing. 2. Industry recognition that fans and handicappers are as important to racing as horsemen, owners, breeders, jockeys, backstretch community, etc. They need to have a seat at the table. A Fan/Handicapper is given a seat on every Racing Commission or Horse Racing Board. This would not just be a “member of the public” spot, but a dedicated seat for an experienced player who understands the fan/handicapper experiences and desires. 3. Greater access for fans to all aspects of the racing industry, from breeding to racing to aftercare opportunities. This will bring more fans into the sport, not only as fans but also as participants in other areas, keeping the industry vibrant for years to come. 4. While some retail horseplayers truly wish that CAWs would be outlawed from racing entirely, ThoroFan recognizes their importance in generating purse revenue. We envision a 2036 where CAWs exist but are fairly regulated, and where a broad range of wagering options gives regular and retail players access to pools free from CAW influence. 5. True transparency of all health care given to these great equine athletes, and complete explanations to the public of what these treatments mean and are designed for. For the Industry 1. A change in the current business model to make it as lucrative to continue racing as it is to rush horses off to the breeding shed. This can be achieved through better racing “series” and better-structured local racing circuits that would provide critical support to the smaller tracks that will not survive the next decade under current economic conditions. 2. Bring back handicap races. Change the condition books based on the horse's current performance level, not age or number of wins. Under the current system, horses can win a maiden and three allowance races before they must either step into stakes or down to the claiming ranks. This was successfully implemented at Sam Houston Park Jan. 17, 2026. This system gives owners a choice, better opportunities for their horses through improved race placement, and another betting opportunity for handicappers. 3. Rule changes put in place to further ensure the health, welfare, and safety of all the athletes of the sport. These changes would ensure the highest levels of integrity in the sport, leading to more trust and wagering done by the public on it. For the Horse 1. A thriving aftercare program for these horses where there is true transparency that the fans can see and access showing exactly where each racehorse goes after their racing days are over. Ten years is a very short time in the grand scheme of things (especially considering racing's long and storied history), but this upcoming decade may become one of the most important ever in racing's history. If the industry takes a real hard look at what is best not for the individual, but for the whole, then ThoroFan sees a 2036 where we look back on the last 10 years and marvel at how far the sport has come back. If not, we may be spending 2036 merely looking back and saying, “Hey, remember when this place used to be a racetrack? Man, I miss that.” The post Letter To The Editor: ThoroFan’s Look At Racing In 2036 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to a major winter storm set to hit a sizable portion of the United States, many racetracks have canceled their upcoming cards.View the full article

Bill Casner's Rafter C Ranch went to $260,000 to acquire Alisal (Uncle Mo), a 3-year-old stakes-placed filly, from Tuesday's Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale. The priciest filly or mare sold Tuesday, Alisal raced exclusively at Remington Park for trainer H. Ray Ashford, Jr., breaking her maiden in her second start Oct. 9 and adding an allowance win next out Nov. 15 before capping off her season with a runner-up effort in the Toby Keith Stakes Dec. 20. Consigned by Warrendale Sales as a racing or broodmare prospect, Casner seems fit to retire his newest acquisition to a growing broodmare band. “She's a big, pretty mare,” Casner said. “She was precocious as a 2-year-old. I watched the replays [of her stakes race] and she was really wide on both turns. When she ran, she did it the tough way, lost a lot of ground and still showed speed. She's by Uncle Mo who is arguably becoming one of the best broodmare sires out there.” Out of a winning Gone West mare, Alisal is a half-sister to MGSW/GISP Secret Message (Hat Trick {Jpn}) who was acquired by Spendthrift Farm for $625,000 out of the 2020 Keeneland November Sale and has since produced three straight foals by leading sire Into Mischief. “Secret Message was certainly a very, very good racehorse, and she's still a young mare and active,” Casner continued. “Maybe one of those [Into Mischief foals] will go on, so there's an opportunity for the pedigree to continue to improve. I think [Alisal] is the kind of mare that, if you breed her to the right stallion, you've got an opportunity to get a really good racehorse.” Alisal was one of two broodmares purchased by Casner in the January Digital Sale, the other being Fay's Rhonda Cares (Mendelssohn), the half-sister to young stallion Flameaway (Scat Daddy) who was hammered down at just $30,000. “The market's gone up on these mares,” said Casner. “You're going to have to pay a little more for these quality mares but that's the market right now. Inventory is down. It's supply and demand.” Casner acknowledged that while Alisal may still be fit to race and potentially even at a higher level, she was more than likely set to be in foal in the coming season. “We'll find something that we really like to breed her to. We'll breed her to a good stallion, for sure. In truth, she looks sound enough to where she could continue to run. But you question what upside is. It costs $50,000 to keep [her] in training and I know she could certainly pay her way and perhaps make some money. Would she be able to step up to graded stakes? I think she probably could. But I'll probably just go ahead and breed her and put her into the broodmare band, let her be a mama.” The post Rafter C Ranch Adds Alisal To Growing Broodmare Band appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

World Pool races will return across three fixtures on Friday-Sunday split between the UAE, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Four races in the UAE on Friday including the G1 Jebel Hatta and the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge, six races in New Zealand on Saturday, among them the G1 Railway Stakes and in Hong Kong on Sunday the G1 Centenary Sprint and the G1 Stewards' Cup complete an even dozen World Pool races for the weekend. The second World Pool Moment of the Day will be chosen from Ellerslie. The Railway Stakes, Centenary Sprint Cup and the Stewards' Cup all featured in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Top 100 Group 1 races in the last three years. The post Triple World Pool Fixtures On The Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article