Wandering Eyes

by Dan Ross and T.D. Thornton The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority on Wednesday summoned Churchill Downs Racetrack and its corporate parent, CDI, to a hearing before a panel of HISA board members in an attempt to secure payment of 2025 assessment fees that CDI has allegedly failed to submit on behalf of four racetracks the gaming corporation owns in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, including its flagship track in Louisville. HISA wants Churchill to pay $2,408,501 in allegedly overdue 2025 fees (plus $93,998 in interest) to the Authority within 10 days of any order by the HISA board that results from the just-scheduled Mar. 11 hearing. If not, according the Feb. 18 notice of hearing, “for each day the payment is late, Churchill [will] be prohibited from conducting any Covered Horserace, to be applied immediately on the next scheduled race day(s) at Churchill.” Joe Drape of the New York Times first reported on Wednesday's new escalation of an ongoing dispute. “CDI has not fulfilled Churchill's obligation to remit Churchill's and the horsemen's group share of allocated and assessed fees for calendar year 2025 in violation of HISA Rule 8100(i), HISA Rule 8520(e), and 15 U.S.C. § 3052(f)(3),” the hearing notice stated. “In fact, CDI has refused to pay one cent of the 2025 HISA assessments allocated to Churchill, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, and Presque Isle Downs,” the notice continued. “CDI even refuses to pay what it believes it owes for the CDI Racetracks under its own [assessment formula] that is based solely on racing starts. The CDI Racetracks stand alone among Covered Racetracks in refusing to make any HISA assessment payments whatsoever for 2025,” the hearing notice stated. The notice was served Wednesday via email and certified mail to Gary Palmisano, Jr., CDI's executive director of racing. TDN asked Palmisano via email if he'd like to comment or explain CDI's side of the story, but did not receive any reply prior to deadline for this article. In addition to the alleged non-payment of 2025 fees, the notice of hearing details allegations that because of the above-referenced disagreement over assessment methodologies, CDI has also not paid all of the fees that HISA claims the corporation owes for 2023 and 2024, either. “In 2023 and 2024, CDI calculated and paid full year assessments using its own assessment formula, based solely on the number of racing starts, in an amount less than would be due under the Original Methodology Rule,” the notice of hearing stated. “The total difference that remains currently due and owing from racetracks operated by CDI for the 2023 and 2024 Assessments is $1,708,475.” But because that dispute over 2023 and 2024 assessments is still being litigated in federal court, “issuance of the Board panel's decision in the 2023/2024 Enforcement Action is currently stayed per the agreement of the parties,” the Authority's hearing notice explained. In CDI's original complaint in that lawsuit, filed Dec. 4. 2024, CDI argued that the HISA Authority couldn't threaten “to prohibit them from conducting any horseraces until the fees due under the Authority's illegal assessment methodology are paid in full” because the HISA Act “does not empower the private Authority to adjudicate fee-collection disputes in-house.” Rather, the lawsuit explained, the HISA Act “envisions that the Authority would exercise its statutory power to bring a civil action in federal court to compel payment of any legitimate fee assessments.” The CDI complaint (initially joined by co-plaintiff the New York Racing Association, which settled with HISA a month after the litigation was filed), stated that HISA demanding fee payments and threatening penalization based on its own findings “would violate the Act and Article III of the Constitution, which require that such disputes between private entities be adjudicated in federal courts–not within administrative agencies and certainly not within private, unaccountable corporations. “And it would also violate the fundamental due-process principle that no person may serve as a judge in his own case,” the CDI suit alleged. Wednesday's hearing notice stated that, “In this enforcement action, the Authority is seeking payment only based on the CDI Formula endorsed by CDI in the CDI Lawsuit. “If the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky concludes in the CDI Lawsuit that the Original Methodology Rule is valid, the Authority will initiate a separate enforcement action or civil action–if necessary–to collect the difference between the amount owed by CDI under the CDI Formula and the Original Methodology Rule for 2025. “If the District Court adopts the legal arguments made by CDI and concludes that the Original Methodology Rule is invalid, then CDI would still owe the exact amount sought in this proceeding, i.e., the racing-starts only amount due under the 'Alternative Calculation' that CDI endorses and advocates,” the hearing notice stated. “In other words, CDI owes at least the amount sought here regardless of the outcome of the pending litigation,” the hearing notice stated. The hearing notice described CDI as allegedly “freeloading” by availing itself of HISA's services related to drug testing, results management from intra-articular injection violations, track surface inspections from the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, and technology platforms that promote the safety of horses and jockeys. Despite CDI allegedly not paying into the regulatory system, “the CDI Racetracks continue to receive millions of dollars in services from the Authority,” the hearing notice stated. “CDI promotes the benefits of HISA with its investors while at the same time failing to pay its fair share–or any share at all,” the notice of hearing stated. The Mar. 11 board hearing will be chaired by Joe De Francis. Bill Thomason and Terri Mazur will also adjudicate on that panel. CDI may file a pre-hearing brief setting forth any objections to the enforcement action by Feb. 27, and HISA's enforcement counsel may file a response by Mar. 6. The post HISA Threatens ‘Freeloading’ CDI with Cutting Off Ability to Race over Alleged Non-Payment of Assessment Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Maryland Thoroughbred Industry Renaissance Awards will be presented during a March 22 luncheon at Laurel Park.View the full article

There was only one graded stakes race on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks this weekend, but it was a big one. The GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes has produced 12 winners of the Oaks. The list includes last year's Oaks champion Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) and 2023 winner Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief). So, it meant something when Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) scored a game victory to win the race by a half-length, especially when you consider that she is a half-sister to Pretty Mischievous. So, here goes, your latest Top 10: 1) ZANY (American Pharoah–Mo' Green, by Uncle Mo) O-Repole Stable; B-D.J. Stable (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $350,000 yrl '24 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record:GSW, 3-3-0-0, $221,500. Last Start: Won Feb. 7 Suncoast Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 30. As good a race as Bella Ballerina ran in the Rachel Alexandra, Zany remains in the top spot and may stay there until she has her next start, which is scheduled for the Apr. 3 GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. She was not ultra-impressive when winning the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, but you can count on her being an improved horse in the Ashland. It was notable in the Suncoast that she lugged in. Here's what Todd Pletcher had to say about her failure to keep a straight course: “We will not try to overthink it since she's three-for-three. But we will continue to focus on keeping her straight when she changes leads.” She showed tremendous talent when romping in last year's GII Demoiselle Stakes. If that horse shows up on Kentucky Oaks Day, all the rest may be running for second money. 2) BELLA BALLERINA (Street Sense–Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P Walsh. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 3-3-0-0, $301,525. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard.' Last Start: Won Feb. 14 GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 60. As well-bred as they come and from the powerful Godolphin team, Bella Ballerina still had something to prove in the Rachel Alexandra. In her only other stakes appearance, last year's GII Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs, she did win, but nearly squandered a 3 1/2-length lead in the stretch. The final margin of victory was a half-length. She didn't blow them away this time, either. In fact, she lost the lead in mid-stretch, but battled back to win in a professional effort. “I thought it was a very game performance,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “When she was coming down the stretch, it looked like she was beaten. I thought to myself, 'You know, she's run well. We've got what we needed to get out of it. She'll improve a ton the next time she starts back up again.' I thought, 'Well, OK, we'll take that.' But yes, it was just a game performance on her part. It's the first time she's ever been headed.” Her winning Beyer number Saturday was an 84. The March 21 GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks will likely be next for her. Bella Ballerina | Hodges Photography 3) MEANING (Gun Runner–Figure of Speech, by Into Mischief) O-Bridlewood Farm & Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Stonehaven Steadings (KY); T-Michael McCarthy. Sales history: $440,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-0-0, $187,000. Last Start: Won Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 26. The good news: she beat two pretty tough customers in Explora (Blame) and Super Corredora (Gun Runner) in the Las Virgenes Stakes. The bad news: she had a perfect trip behind battling leaders. It was her first start since she was a non-threatening fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, but there's no reason why she couldn't have improved over the winter. As of now, the California-based fillies don't look like a strong group. Meaning may be the best of that bunch. Trainer Michael McCarthy has said that the April 4 GII Santa Anita Oaks Presented by Surfside will be next for his filly. 4) LUV YOUR NEIGHBOR (Constitution–Disobedient, by Into Mischief) O-Lael Stables; B-Anderson Farms Ont Inc & 552727 Ontario Ltd (ON); T-Michael Stidham. Sales history: $350,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 6-1-4-0, $164,071. Last Start: 2nd Feb. 14 GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. If you liked Bella Ballerina's race in the Rachel Alexandra, you probably had to like the effort turned in by Luv Your Neighbor. She gave the 4-5 favorite fits the entire length of the stretch and looked like she had the race won. Was Bella Ballerina that game or did Luv Your Neighbor lack fight when it counted? It's an important question, as she has now run second in four straight starts, losing each time by less than a length. In her lone victory, she won by just a nose. Trainer Michael Stidham needs to figure out how to get a little something extra out of her, but, if he does, she might just prove to be among the upper echelon of this division. 5) TAKEN BY THE WIND (Rock Your World–Up for Grabs, by First Samurai) O-Magdalena Racing, Terry Bradshaw, Graham Leveston, Raasi Stable; B-Courtney L. Meagher (FL); T-Kenneth G McPeek. Sales History: $70,000 yrl '24 FTKJUL; $20,000 yrl '24 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0, $270,710. Last Start: Won Jan. 17 Silverbulletday Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 30. If not for the Kenny McPeek factor, this horse would be rated lower. Yes, she won the Silverbulletday Stakes by only a neck in her 3-year-old debut. But McPeek, who has had so much success with fillies of late, sees something in her. “You watch,” he said. “She'll win the next one, and I think she has a very good chance of winning the Oaks. This is a very good filly. She does everything right.” McPeek reports that Taken by the Wind will have her next start in the March 1 GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn. It would be “good for the game” to see her prosper as NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw is a part owner and would no doubt be an entertaining part of an entourage come Oaks Day. Taken By the Wind | Sarah Andrew 6) LIFE OF JOY (Gun Runner–Jordayn's Leo, by Malibu Moon) O-Will Stroud, Andrew Farm, Mountmellick Farm & For the People Racing Stable LLC; B-Springhouse Farm (KY); T-Brad H Cox. Sales history: $375,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-1-0, $180,260. Last Start: Second in Feb. 7 Suncoast Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 22. The Brad Cox-trained filly turned in a strong effort behind Zany in the Suncoast, finishing second. She also held her own against Bella Ballerina when fourth in the Golden Rod. Before that, she was a 2 1/4-length winner of the Rags to Riches Stakes. Like McPeek, Cox has done some of his best work with fillies. It's not a coincidence that he has won the Oaks three times in a short stretch of just seven years. The Fair Grounds Oaks will be next for her. 7) EXPLORA (Blame–Collections Choice, by Bernardini) O-Michael Pegram, Karl Watson & Paul Weitman; B-Mesingw Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $22,000 yrl '24 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '25 FTMMAY. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard.' Lifetime Record: GSW & MGISP, 5-3-2-0, $628,000. Last Start: Second Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 45. Don't ever give up on Bob Baffert. He has won the Oaks three times, and no one in the history of the sport is better at having horses peak for the biggest races. Her 3-year-old debut in the Las Virgenes didn't go as planned. She got caught up in a speed duel with rival Super Corredora and didn't have enough left in the tank to hold off Meaning. The positive is that she held in there a lot better than Super Corredora, who finished last. She far from embarrassed herself and could easily rebound next out with a better trip. 8) SEARCH PARTY (Gun Runner–Devious Charm, by Into Mischief) O/B-Tracy Farmer (KY); T-Mark Casse. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-2, $276,211. Last Start: Won Feb. 6 Martha Washington Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. It took this Mark Casse-trained filly four starts to break her maiden, but since the light bulb went off, she's been good. She won an Oaklawn maiden by six lengths and came right back to win the Martha Washington Stakes by a neck. By Gun Runner out of an Into Mischief mare, she certainly has the pedigree. “Irad (Ortiz, Jr.) rode her in two of the races she lost and he came back both times and apologized,” Casse said. “He said, 'I was the best.' She was breaking just a little slow and then got herself in some trouble. When she broke her maiden at Oaklawn, I thought she was very impressive. In the Martha Washington, she got in a little trouble again, but I thought it was a good performance. I'm not sure it was a great performance, but it was a good performance. If she's going to be an Oaks filly down the road, she's going to have to improve. Her pedigree and her physique say she should get better.” Search Party | Coady Media 9) DAZZLING DAME (Girvin–Awesome Dama, by Corinthian) O-Respect the Valleys LLC; B-Maria M Haire (MD); T-Brittany T Russell. Sales History: $50,000 RNA wlg '23 KEENOV: $65,000 yrl '24 OBSJAN; $45,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: MSW, 5-4-0-0, $240,525. Last Start: Won Jan. 3 Busanda Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 22. Her 91 Beyer she earned when winning the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct remains the fastest number turned in so far this year by any 3-year-old filly. She didn't have a published workout from Jan. 23 to Feb. 12, but trainer Brittany Russell reports that the filly is still on track for the Mar. 14 Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs. Russell has won only six graded stakes in her career, but she's a force in Maryland and is not to be underestimated. 10) SUPER CORREDORA (Gun Runner–Super Simple, by Super Saver) O-Spartan Equine Racing LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, Robert Gardiner & Michael Olszewki; B-Woodford Thoroughbreds (KY); T-John Sadler. Sales History: $400,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly, GISW, 5-2-1-0, $1,099,600. Last Start: Fourth Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 34. Probably too early to give up on a filly that was a GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and an Eclipse Award winner, but her return effort in the Las Virgenes was just not good. She'll get her chance to show that that race was a fluke in her next start, which will likely be in the Mar. 1 GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes. If she doesn't fare well there, it might be time to consider a sprinting career for her. The post The TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 For Feb. 19: Bella Ballerina Makes A Big Move appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Saffie Joseph Jr-trained White Abarrio (Race Day) will ship to Oaklawn to target the GII Oaklawn Handicap April 18, his trainer said Wednesday. Detailing next starts for his stable stars, Joseph said, “White Abarrio is going to come for the Oaklawn Handicap. That's the plan. Dubai is still in play for Skippy, but we haven't come up with a plan yet.” Last seen finishing runner-up to stablemate Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) in the GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park last month, White Abarrio also owns a win in the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic. While the race is still two months away, last year's Champion 3-year-old and Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief) is also possible for the Oaklawn Handicap. The post White Abarrio To Target Oaklawn Handicap appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has called a March 11 board panel hearing to address what it says is Churchill Downs Incorporated's refusal to pay millions of dollars of required assessments from four of its tracks.View the full article

Samuel Marin's total of 13 wins for the week included a stakes race victory.View the full article

Recent winner Dante Nonantais will continue his career Down Under after the leading Australian ownership group OTI Racing went to €180,000 to secure the Florian Bellemere-trained son of Hunter's Light on the second and final day of the Arqana Mixed February Sale on Wednesday. The three-year-old gelding was the most expensive of the 170 horses sold at a clearance rate of 78% on the day. Meanwhile, the clearance rate for the entire sale stood at 70%, for an average price of €13,709 and total turnover of €3,299,750. A wide diversity of buyers attended, coming from Germany, Australia, Belgium, Spain, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Tunisia and Turkey. Dante Nonantais, the overall sale-topper, was added to the sale as a wildcard following his debut victory on the all-weather at Deauville. He will now head to the yard of Tony McEvoy, winner of the 2025 Melbourne Cup. “I've bought him for OTI and he will head to Australia,” said the winning bidder Thibault de Seyssel. “He is a superb horse that made a very promising debut and has real potential. His profile should suit Australian racing perfectly.” Just minutes later, the hammer fell at €120,000 in favour of Amy Murphy for Recollect, from the stable of Gavin Hernon. The three-year-old son of Recoletos won on his second start at Chantilly. “I've bought him for Henry Dwyer, with whom we have worked for a long time,” Murphy said. “He caught his attention and was strongly recommended by his trainer, Gavin Hernon. We are confident he has the potential to succeed in Australia and we look forward to following his progress.” Another wildcard, the Louisa Carberry-trained Highbourne Karisma, sold for €120,000 to JH Bloodstock on behalf of National Hunt trainer Tom Symonds. In the breeding section, a yearling filly by Earthlight (Lot 239), presented by Haras des Capucines, generated strong interest around the ring before being knocked down at €125,000 to Nicolas de Watrigant of Mandore International Agency. The filly is a half-sister to the top-class Sajir, winner of the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest last season. “She is a filly who attracted interest from many buyers,” said Nicolas de Watrigant. “She is well put together physically and comes from a very strong family.” The post Recent Winner Dante Nonantais Headlines Arqana February Sale To OTI Racing At 180k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Halters worn by Storm Cat, Sovereignty, Good Cheer and Gun Runner will feature as part of the Bourbon & Bayou silent auction held by the nonprofit child advocacy organization CASA of Lexington. Each halter comes with a certificate of authenticity and is valued at $1,000. Bidding is available here opened Wednesday and continues until 9:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27. Also included with Gun Runner's halter is an exclusive VIP tour for up to 10 people of Three Chimneys Stallion Complex. The silent auction is part of CASA of Lexington's annual fundraiser, Bourbon & the Bayou which raises funds that provide advocacy for abused and neglected children in central Kentucky each year. The post Four Racing Halters Part Of CASA Charity Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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. Among this week's rulings, the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority has issued to Churchill Downs Incorporated four notices for non-payment of its 2025 fees related to federal regulatory oversight of its Churchill Downs, Turfway Park, Ellis Park and Presque Isle Downs racetracks. The matter will go before a panel of three HISA board members–Joe De Francis, Bill Thomason, and Terri Mazur–on March 11. This is separate from pending litigation between the two parties for Churchill Downs's refusal to pay HISA's assessed fees for 2023 and 2024. These are the years HISA's assessment model was calculated through a formula based on racing starts and purses. Last year, HISA started using a new assessment formula based on projected number of starts only. In its litigation with HISA, Churchill Downs challenges the legality of the original assessment formula, and instead contends it owes the federal body an amount based solely on starts. Churchill Downs submitted payments to HISA for 2023 and 2024 using their own formula, leaving an alleged unpaid deficit of around $1.7 million. The corporation has so far paid nothing for 2025, according to the notices the HISA Authority issued to Churchill Downs on Feb. 18. The amounts that HISA seeks from Churchill Downs for its unpaid 2025 assessments are based on the original formula (calculated using starts and purses) for Turfway Park, Elis Park and Presque Isle Downs. For Churchill Downs, the HISA Authority has used a number based purely on starts. The amounts (including accrued interest) HISA requests for each track are as follows: Churchill Downs, $2.5 million; Turfway Park, $1.49 million; Presque Isle Downs, $761k; and Ellis Park, $465k. According to the notices, the HISA Authority asks the board panel to require Churchill Downs to pay these amounts within ten days of the board's order. If not, Churchill Downs would be prohibited from conducting horseracing under HISA's federal regulatory oversight, meaning it wouldn't be allowed to simulcast its races outside of the state (if indeed it carried on with its operations). Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 02/17/2026 Licensee: Bruno Tessore, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 18, 2026; 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 $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Tom S, who finished second at Laurel Park on 10/19/25. Dates: 02/16/2026 Licensee: Anna Meah, trainer Penalty:7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 17, 2026; 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Showers, who won at Churchill Downs on 11/6/25. Dates: 02/11/2026 Licensee: Darien Rodriguez, trainer Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Jimmy's Kid on 1/3/26. Pending ADMC Violations 02/16/2026, Eric Reed, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Flunixin–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sexarito on 1/17/26. 02/16/2026, Dallas Stewart, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Tramadol–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Have Faith on 11/20/25. 2/16/2026, Linda Rice, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methylprednisolone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sweet Rhythm, who is reported by Equibase to have been euthanized after sustaining a severe injury to her left front leg mid-race in the fifth at Aqueduct on 11/8/25. 02/13/2026, Jose Puentes, trainer: Pending 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. 02/13/2026, William E. Merch, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Protest, who won at Tampa Bay on 1/14/26. 02/13/2026, Angela Maria Aquinano, trainer: Pending 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. 02/13/2026, Benjamin Feliciano Jr., trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Plenty on Tap, who finished second at Laurel Park on 1/10/26. Crop Violations Aqueduct Sahin Civaci – violation date February 16; $250 fine, one-day suspension Mahoning Valley Rocco Bowen – violation date February 14; $500 fine, two-day suspension Oaklawn Park Francisco Arrieta – violation date February 15; $250 fine, one-day suspension David Cabrera – violation date February 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension Emmanuel Esquivel – violation date February 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension Rafael Bejerano – violation date February 13; $250 fine, one-day suspension Santa Anita Kyle Frey – violation date February 14; $500 fine, one-day suspension Turf Paradise Cerapio Figueroa – violation date February 12; $250 fine, one-day suspension Turfway Park Jose Ramos Gutierrez – violation date February 13; $500 fine, two-day suspension The post Weekly Rulings: Feb. 12-18; Churchill Faces HISA Panel Hearing For Non-Payment Of 2025 Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The change moves Friday racing from its previous 4 p.m. PT start to 2 p.m. PT, creating a consistent post time throughout the week and providing fans, horsemen and women, and industry partners with a streamlined schedule.View the full article

The King's Plate Stakes is North America's oldest continuously run stakes race and is contested for a purse of CA$1 million.View the full article

Stayer Northwest Passage topped the Tattersalls Online February Sale at 31,000gns to Ivan Furtado. Sold as lot 29, the grey son of Ulysses was offered by Crimbourne Bloodstock and sports one win from seven starts. From the family of multiple Group 1-winning sire Tamayuz, the four-year-old gelding has competed on turf, all-weather and hurdles. Crimbourne Bloodstock's Charlie Parker said, “We were very happy with today. We have been very lucky with Tattersalls Online, much luckier than we have been in the ring! I just thought he might stand out on there and he did. We are really pleased and this platform is a really good way of doing it.” Changing hands for 30,000gns was Galia Des Liteaux (Saddler Maker) (lot 65), who sold to Mountain View Stud post sale. The Lodge Hill Stables-consigned horse-out-of-training has a win each in a point-to-point and a hurdle race, as well as three chasing wins. Her best win was in the G2 Hampton Novices' Chase at Warwick. Also selling for 30,000gns was Arclight (Champs Elysees) (lot 55) from the draft of Seven Barrows. Simon Cox picked up the seven-year-old mare. Listed-placed over hurdles and a multiple listed winner over fences, she is a full-sister to seven-time winner Cote d'Azur (Champs Elysees). Overall, 62 lots sold (61%) from 102 offered for a gross of 496,300gns. The average was 8,005gns and the median was 4,900gns. The post Northwest Passage Tops Tattersalls Online February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was a big weekend for trainer Brendan Walsh, whose Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) was a game winner of the GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes. A half-sister to Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), the 2023 GI Kentucky Oaks winner, who was also trained by Walsh, the trainer is hoping to pull off what would be a unique daily double–winning the Oaks twice within four years with half-siblings. To discuss the Rachel Alexandra win, his take on Bella Ballerina and what he has planned on the way to the Oaks, Walsh joined this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. It was not an easy victory for Bella Ballerina, who was passed in the stretch by Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution), but battled back in deep stretch to win by a half-length under Tyler Gaffalione. “I thought it was a very game performance,” Walsh said. “When she was coming down the stretch, it looked like she was beaten. I thought to myself, 'You know, she's run well. We've got what we needed to get out of it. She'll improve a ton the next time she starts back up again.' I thought, 'Well, OK, we'll take that.' But yes, it was just a game performance on her part. It's the first time she's ever been headed.” The similarities between Pretty Mischievous and Bella Ballerina go beyond the fact that they are half-sisters, as both won the Rachel Alexandra. Bella Ballerina will start next in the March 21 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Pretty Mischievous was second in that race before going on to win the Kentucky Oaks. “(Bella Ballerina) was a little trickier when she was a baby,” Walsh said. “She had her own ideas about certain things. But all credit goes to the team. They got her straightened out. We worked on her last year. She was just a little bit of a play girl at the time. She'd try and get up to a few little tricks, but nothing horrible.” Walsh liked what he saw Saturday. “Tyler came in and he worked her a bunch of times last year and more this year,” he said. “He got to know her. She behaved very well on Saturday. She behaved very well before the race. She behaved very well in the race, and I think that had a lot to do with Tyler. There are a lot of similarities between the two horses. (Bella Ballerina) is getting stronger and, physically, she looks more like Pretty Mischievous did at this point. The good ones, they all have that class, and she seems to have an abundance of it. She's got a very good mind, and I think that's going to be super important going forward.” Walsh has come a long way from the young man who began his career with the powerful Godolphin team galloping horses. “It's unbelievable,” he said. “It's like the stuff you dream of. I spent years in Dubai and around all those good horses that they had at Al Quoz. Did I ever think I was going to actually be in a position where I would be training for them? Absolutely not. It is a dream come true. It's unbelievable to have access to that standard of a horse every year and to get to work with these horses and these people. They're just the most fantastic people to work with. You wake up in the morning and you pinch yourself. Believe me, I'm under no illusions. It's a privileged position and it's great to be there.” Walsh also spoke of his mentor in the U.S., trainer Eddie Kenneally. Walsh served as his assistant before going out on his own in 2012. “Learning to train in the U.S., it was a huge adjustment,” he said. “It's a completely different ball game. You're dealing with a different type of horse. Dubai was very turf-orientated. That was one thing with Eddie. I really got to learn how to get down to the nitty gritty of it with him. Even when riding horses, dirt horses are different than grass horses. Turf horses have this turn of foot, and when you work them you see that they have a serious turn of foot. Dirt horses tend to be more constant. They cruise along, cruise along, cruise along. It's just completely different, and that's just to name a couple of things. There are thousands of other different angles when you start training over here. Eddie taught me so much. He's a fantastic trainer.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Grande (Curlin), who earned a 105 Beyer figure when winning a Feb. 14 allowance race at Gulfstream. It was his first start since he finished second in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the fast sire Nashville. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV, and West Point Thoroughbreds, Randy Moss, Bill Finley, and Zoe Cadman discussed the solid performance from Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}) in the $20 million Saudi Cup and the terrific rail-skimming ride he got from jockey Ryusei Sakai. The team also discussed the wins in Saudi Arabia by the American-based sprinters Imagination (Into Mischief) and Reef Runner (The Big Beast). Recapping the rest of the weekend's action, the win by Paladin (Gun Runner) in the Risen Star Stakes was given high marks by the panel. Click here to listen to the podcast or click here to watch. The post Brendan Walsh Joins The TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented By Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Logan Hollis is upbeat about finishing an already good week on a high. On Monday Hollis and partner Shane Robertson (Hollis and Robertson Equine Services) were the leading vendor by average at the NZB Standardbred National Yearling sales at Karaka. They sold six yearlings, worth a combined $617,000 including the $220,000 sales topper, a Walner – Destinee Jenilou filly on behalf of Australian breeders Yabby Dam Farms. “Three or four more of our yearlings were close to their reserve too so hopefully NZB will sell them too,” said Hollis. “We were really happy with the sale.” A day after the Auckland sale finished Hollis was busy qualifying a two-year-old Vincent filly This And That at the Pukekohe trials and today he will be driving Rhinestone in Race 3, the Night of Champions Tickets on Sale Now Pace at Cambridge (6.53pm). The four-year-old gelding, who he trains with Robertson, has placed twice in nine career starts and Hollis reckons he is not far away from a breakthrough win. “I took him to the trials (January 13) and he ran second to Lincoln Wave.” Lincoln Wave has subsequently won two races at Alexandra Park. “Last campaign we thought he wasn’t really putting in so he’s had a break and his work has been really good.” That he has drawn the ace over the 2200 metres has also buoyed Hollis’ confidence. “I think he’s a real chance.” Midfrew Lando, after an unlucky eighth on debut, and the David Butcher trained and driven King Tide look his biggest threats. Midfrew Lando opened at $2.15 with Rhinestone at $8.50. For Hollis, a win would put quite the exclamation mark on a busy week on and off the track. Cambridge’s six race meeting gets underway at 5.55pm. View the full article

Friday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 18:50, UAE OAKS SPONSORED BY DEEPAL-G3, AED800,000, 3yo, f, 1900m Field: Labwah (Charlatan), Tjareed (Yaupon), Dozalla (Upstart), Yuno (Rock Your World), Pretty And Famous (Known Agenda), Auntie Fair (Uncle Chuck), Dialed To Dubai (Dialed In). Friday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 20:35, BALANCHINE SPONSORED BY AL TAYER MOTORS-G2, AED850,000, 4yo/up, SH 3yo, f/m, 1800mT Field: Dubai Beach (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Dubai Treasure (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Fairy Glen (Fr) (Farhh {GB}), Capitana Bling (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), Riyabovka (Fr) (Caullery), Blue Nazare (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Miss Of Change (Fr) (King Of Change {GB}). Friday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 18:50, NAD AL SHEBA TROPHY SPONSORED BY DEEPAL-G3, AED700,000, 4yo/up, 2810mT Field: Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Al Nayyir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), By The Book (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Crystal Black (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Kihavah (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), Aeronautic (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Nightwalker (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Surabad (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}). Friday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 21:10, DUBAI ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SPONSORED BY AL TAYER MOTORS-Listed, AED800,000, 3yo, 1900m Field: Salloom (Authentic), Lino Padrino (Uncle Lino), Brotherly Love (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Raajehh (Complexity), Al Khawaneej (Honest Mischief), Omaha Front (Omaha Beach), Watch Collector (Medaglia d'Oro), Duke Of Immatin (Gun Runner), Knight Of Glory (Knicks Go), Senator Of State (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), Awesome Fleet (Ire) (US Navy Flag), Sary Shayan (Constitution), Fire d'Oro (Bold d'Oro). Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Salloom Aims For Kentucky Derby Pointer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article