Wandering Eyes

Hastings Racecourse and Casino, a track located in Vancouver, British Columbia that began racing in 1889, has ceased the conduct of thoroughbred horse racing at the facility with immediate effect, the track announced Friday evening. In a statement posted to social media, the track noted that racing is typically conduced between the months of April and October and as such, there were no horses currently stabled on site. “This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical legacy of Hastings Racecourse in the local community and its importance to the province's racing industry,” said Wayne Odegard, Regional Vice President, Great Canadian Entertainment. “Unfortunately, it's strictly a business decision based on a lack of economic feasibility to move forward with another season of horse racing at Hastings. We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated members, racing participants and fan base for their support and patronage for so many years.” The statement added that operations of the casino and simulcast racebook at the facility would not be impacted by the decision to cease live racing. “Our focus moving forward will be supporting our impacted team members through this transition, as well as racing participants as they assess their options for thoroughbred racing in the province in the future,” Odegard added. The post Horse Racing To End At Hastings Racecourse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Newnham has high hopes of continuing his good record on the dirt this season and replicating his success from the same Sha Tin meeting last year when he bids to extend his championship lead on Sunday. Heading the premiership standings with 23 wins including four on the all-weather track, Newnham boasts a strong team of seven runners headlined by dirt specialists Sing Dragon and Talents Ambition in the feature Class Two Chatham Handicap (1,200m). Sing Dragon returns to the surface of his...View the full article

Horses that win a California-bred first-level allowance race will enjoy expanded opportunities beginning with the Dec. 26 opening of the Classic Meet at Santa Anita, the track announced Friday. The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), in collaboration with Santa Anita, Del Mar, Los Alamitos and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), have reached an agreement to broaden the available options to include two wins over the same surface in Cal-bred first conditioned allowance races. Under the existing policy, Cal-breds are entitled to two wins in the first level allowance if the wins are recorded on different surfaces (dirt or turf). The new enhancement bolsters this program by permitting two wins on the same surface at two separate distance categories: one win at seven furlongs or less (short) and the other at one mile or longer (long). The agreement to expand the available options is on a one-year trial basis for 2026 with the understanding that the cap of a maximum two wins within the condition is unchanged. “These expanded opportunities in the Cal-bred first-level allowance races is the latest measure taken to further strengthen the state bred program,” said Bill Nader, President of the TOC. “This follows recent announcements where purse levels for maiden special weight and first-level allowance races have been significantly increased to $70,000 at Santa Anita for the Classic meet, of which half of the races are restricted to horses bred in California. The increase in the owner bonus from $10,000 to $12,500 in Cal-bred maiden special weight races run at Santa Anita also begins with immediate effect on Dec. 26. Much of this momentum is a direct result of the success of the single circuit which channels our resources more effectively.” “This is a great modification to the current policy, and it will be helpful to horses and horse owners,” said trainer Mark Glatt, a TOC board member. “It provides a secondary path by making horses eligible for a second win in the category on the racing surface of their choice. Horses that take this path will need to run both short and long. I would like to thank the racing offices at the southern California racetracks for their willingness to trial this in the coming year.” CTBA President Chief Stipe Burge applauded the new policy, saying “it is a great addition to the $30 million Cal-bred racing and incentive program that now offers even more opportunities to the California-breds, which currently make up roughly 50% of our field sizes. Through the support of TOC and the racing associations, we continue to reward those breeding and racing in the state. If you race in California, it now pays more than ever to have Cal-breds in your barn.” Santa Anita Park's 2025-26 Classic Meet kicks off Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. The post Cal-Breds To Enjoy Expanded Opportunities At Santa Anita’s Classic Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Young and old meet on the dirt Dec. 7 at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan's Champions Cup.View the full article

Oaklawn Park kicks off its 2025-26 racing season Dec. 12 with the $150,000 Advent Stakes, the opening marker of a record 62 stakes worth more than a total of $18.3 million this winter and upcoming spring at the Hot Springs, Ark., track.View the full article

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stayed trainer Eusebio Juarez's two-year suspension and combined $18,000 fine (including arbitration costs) handed to him in October by a Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) arbitrator for possession of the banned substance diisopropylamine. As a consequence, a further evidentiary hearing will be held. During this, Juarez will have the chance to present a witness, not present at a prior hearing, who allegedly has evidence of “significant exculpatory potential” in the case, according to FTC administrative law judge Jay L. Himes in a written order dated Dec. 2. The case stems from a January 29 search by Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) investigators of Juarez's SUV stationed at Oaklawn Park racetrack. They found two hypodermic syringes filled with a substance later determined by laboratory analysis to contain the banned substance diisopropylamine. Diisopropylamine is a vasodilator, which is a substance that dilates the vessels to allow blood to flow more freely through them. Diisopropylamine is also found in several everyday items like tobacco and beauty products, and hand sanitizer. The day of the search, Juarez claimed ignorance on how the syringes got into the vehicle, positing that he had recently received the vehicle back from a repair shop and “alluded the syringes were left behind by the repair technician,” according to Himes's written order. The following April 25, Juarez's attorney responded to HIWU's official equine anti-doping notice by advising the agency that the “'substance was intended for administration to some injured roosters' owned by Mr. Luis Terrazas, who trainer Juarez claimed is his auto-mechanic,” according to Himes's order. At the same time, Juarez's attorney provided a “typed, unsigned, unnotarized, draft affidavit allegedly from Mr. Terrazas,” as well as “an alleged handwritten receipt for the auto repair,” according to the order. The following is a summary from Himes's written order of Terrazas's unsigned affidavit: “Mr. Terrazas serviced Mr. Juarez's SUV during the period January 13-28, 2025. Mr. Juarez brought his SUV to Mr. Terrazas because it 'had been repeatedly overheating.' In order to re-create and then repair the condition, Mr. Terrazas 'drove the SUV several times over the course of about one week.' During that time, he 'put the two syringes' into the console of Mr. Juarez's SUV.” “Mr. Terrazas had obtained the two filled syringes 'from a friend' in order 'to administer the substance in both syringes to several farm animals at [his] home later that day. These animals had been gravely injured by a predator.' The syringes, however, were not used, as Mr. Terrazas's wife suggested an alternative treatment, which was successful. Mr. Terrazas never removed the two syringes from Mr. Juarez's SUV and 'never told [Mr. Juarez he] had put the syringes in the SUV console.'” At the time of the January vehicle search, Juarez was working as an exercise rider. He has also held a trainer's license since 2023. This year, Juarez has saddled 27 winners from 126 starts, according to Equibase. HIWU determined that Juarez's initial explanation “lacked credibility,” according to Himes's written order. He also notes that in April of last year, HIWU discovered a single syringe filled with diisopropylamine during a search of a vehicle that Juarez's wife had driven to Oaklawn Park. In that instance, Juarez's wife had allegedly obtained the diisopropylamine to treat chickens that the couple raise, and HIWU declined to charge Juarez with any violation. Two days before the Sept. 11 arbitration hearing for the case in question, Juarez served a pre-hearing brief which identified Terrazas as a witness. The hearing arbitrator, however, declined to allow Terrazas's testimony, describing the brief as being submitted in an “untimely” manner. During the merits hearing, a HIWU witness testified that the syringes found “were the gauge size and needle length typically and traditionally used for intravenous injections on horses and that they were too large for use on roosters or other fowl. He further testified that the volume of diisopropylamine was inconsistent with the volume that could possibly be administered to roosters or other fowl,” according to Himes's written order. As his only defense witness, Juarez rebutted this argument, saying that in his experience treating chickens, a large hypodermic needle could be used. The basis of Juarez's petition for review of the arbitrator's decision was the exclusion of a “necessary defense witness” despite his prior identification of that person. Judge Himes ultimately agreed. “When Mr. Juarez sought, belatedly, to call Mr. Terrazas as a witness at the arbitration hearing, a fair and impartial resolution of the case would have been better assured not by excluding him,” Himes writes in his order. “Therefore, to the extent provided below, I will direct an evidentiary hearing at which Mr. Terrazas may testify.” No date has yet been scheduled for that evidentiary hearing. The post FTC Stays Trainer Eusebio Juarez’s Two-Year Suspension, Hearing Pending appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Portfolio Duration at Tampa Bay Downs. Night Of Thunder Filly Boasts Top Portfolio Klaravich Stables' Portfolio Duration romped in a Tampa Bay maiden for Chad Brown on December 3 (video). Bred by Michael E. Wates, CBE, the three-year-old filly cost 185,000gns as a Tattersalls December weanling, and was later picked up by Mike Ryan for Seth Klarman's operation for 150,000gns out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2023. Second on debut at Tampa in August, the daughter of Shemya (Dansili) is a half-sister to G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial victor Cormorant (Kingman) and colts by Palace Pier and Modern Games born in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Second dam Shemima (Dalakhani) won twice in France at group level and is a relative of G1 Prix du Jockey Club second Shamkiyr (Sea The Stars). Champion sire elect Night Of Thunder has sired 16 winners from 25 runners in North America (64%). His five stakes winners there are led by Grade I winners Dynamic Pricing and Choisya. Repeat Winner Unconquerable Keen (Clodovil) was back in the winner's circle after the Stormy Liberal Stakes for the third year in a row at Del Mar on November 30 (video). The 2025 GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint third is owned by CYBT, Omar Aldabbagh and Michael Nentwig and trained by Phil D'Amato. The post Making Waves: Stellar Portfolio For Klaravich Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horses that win a California-bred first-level allowance race will enjoy expanded opportunities beginning with the Classic Meet at Santa Anita. A new policy now permits two wins on the same surface at two separate distance categories.View the full article

Oaklawn Park will host a pair of major live horseplayer contests to be held during Southwest Stakes Weekend in 2026, the track announced Friday. The new events, the Southwest Showdown on Saturday, Jan. 31, and the Oaklawn Horseplayer Championship on Sunday, Feb. 1, will bring together top horseplayers from across the country to Oaklawn for a high-stakes competition offering Last Chance/First Chance seats to the 2026 or 2027 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), 2026 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC), and cash prizes. “We are excited to introduce a marquee horseplayer contest during one of Oaklawn's most thrilling weekends,” said Louis A. Cella, President of Oaklawn. “Our Southwest Stakes Weekend already attracts national attention, and adding an event that rewards skill, strategy, and passion for racing will elevate the entire experience.” Tom Rooney, President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, added: “A visit to Oaklawn Park should be on the bucket list for any horseplayer. We are delighted that handicapping contests will be added to the promotional calendar at one of the pre-eminent racing destinations in America, if not the world,” Further information on the entry structure, rules, and prize distribution will be announced by Oaklawn in the coming weeks. The post Oaklawn To Host Pair Of Horseplayer Contests During 2026 Southwest Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Woodend Beach trainer Bob Butt takes a strong team of four to the Geraldine meeting at Orari racecourse today, looking to keep his successful weekend going after Donna’s Boy produced an impressive effort to win at Addington last night. Leading the charge at Orari today is The Lazarus Effect ($1.60FF) who lines up in the Placemakers Timaru/Twizel/Oamaru Geraldine Cup for $25,000 over the 2850m stand. The four-year-old Lazarus gelding has won seven from just 11 starts plus three placings including his last start when he took lengths off New Zealand Cup winner Kingman in the Group 1 Christian Cullen at Addington. “He keeps stepping up each time. He’s come through his last start really good,” said trainer/driver Bob Butt. “Hopefully he can make a good beginning. It’s a good wee field.” “Obviously his first start on the grass is always a bit of a query.” “He’s there for a bit more standing start practice before we go to the Invercargill Cup (December 19th).” Other chances in the event include the Robert and Jenna Dunn trained It’s Tough ($3.10FF), while the remainder has a case to fill minor placings. Butt also has a great chance in the trotters version of the Geraldine Cup in Race 10, the Fresh Choice Geraldine Trotters Cup over 2500m with Tactical Bid ($4.60FF). “I Dream Of Jeanie and Maui have been going super against the big guns. They get into the race good. Tactical Bid has the motor and a big future. He’s still learning and needs to get his head around things.” Butt’s chances for the day do not end there. One Eye Bandit ($5.00FF) lines up in Race 9, the Hobbs and Banks Transport Pace. The aptly named three-year-old Always B Miki gelding has shown enough to Butt to suggest his time will come, however for now still goes around with the ‘L’ plates on. “He just got a bit lost last week. I just thought now we’d go into some grass track races with bigger fields so he can learn how to race. He’s got his share of ability, and he’ll make a nice horse one day.” In the final race of the day, Race 11 the Ecolab Mobile Pace Butt lines up Crystal ($14.00FF). Despite being drawn in the car park, Butt still believes she is racing well enough to feature depending on the tempo of the race. “She’s been going good every week, but she can’t do work in the run. It’ll make it hard from that draw so hopefully if there’s speed on she might be able to track into it.” Butt will also put on the Paul Nairn colours earlier on in the card behind Wilma’s Boy ($3.00FF) in Race 6, the McMillan Equine Feeds Trot over 2500m. Fresh up today with a 10 metre handicap Butt believes the four-year-old gelding should be prepped for a bold return. “He should be pretty hard to beat.” Race one gets underway at 12:05pm. View the full article

Jockey Rajiv Maragh rides his 2,000th winner Dec. 5 in piloting Lazio to win the third race at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

2nd-AQU, $85k, Msw, 2yo, 1m, 11:48 a.m. ET MIRACLE (Curlin) gets his career started for a high-powered partnership that includes Jeff Drown, Gary Broad's Walmac Farm and Gainesway Farm. A son of one-time 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Cherry Lodge (Bernardini), a listed winner and Grade I-placed at the races, the Mar. 28 foal fetched $700,000 at Keeneland September last fall from bloodstock agent Mike Ryan, who bought the colt's yearling full-brother for $1.4 million this past September. Cherry Lodge is a full-sister to GSW Gala Award and a half-sister to GI Hollywood Futurity hero Stormello (Stormy Atlantic), Grade II winner My Best Brother (Stormy Atlantic) and Atlantic Voyage (Stormy Atlantic), the dam of two-time Sovereign Award winner Curlin's Voyage (Curlin). Flavien Prat has the call for trainer Chad Brown. TJCIS PPs 1st-GP, $70k, Msw, 2yo, 1mT, 12:20 p.m. ET RanJan Racing debuts its homebred FORTUNY (City of Light) from the rail, with Tyler Gaffalione riding for Brendan Walsh. The March foal is set to become the third starter out of Patou (Ghostzapper), a daughter of the wonderful MGSW Cambiocorsa (Avenue of Flags), whose notable produced include Patou's GSW full-sister Schiaparelli as well as GSW Moulin de Mougin (Curlin), SW & GSP Bronson (Medaglia d'Oro), MSW Alexis Tangier (Tiznow) and GISP Vionnet (Street Sense), the dam of four-time Group 1 winner Roaring Lion (Kitten's Joy). Third dam Ultrafleet (Afleet) also produced the MGSW and Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint hero California Flag (Avenue of Flags) and Cashmere (Cowboy Cal), the dam of GI Preakness Stakes hero Rombauer (Twirling Candy) and GSW Alexander Helios (Cairo Prince). The competition includes Mo Ladies (Uncle Mo), a half-sister to SW Unchained Elaine (American Pharoah) who sold for $300,000 as a Keeneland November weanling before realizing $425,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. TJCIS PPs The post A ‘Miracle’ Debut On the Belt Parkway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Rajiv Maragh rode his 2000th career winner Friday at Gulfstream Park, piloting Lazio (Bucchero) to victory in Race 3. “This feels pretty surreal when you think about the whole journey since 2000,” Maragh told Gulfstream media. “I've come a real long way. I've come from humble beginnings and to be able to achieve this milestone is pretty incredible. I've got to be really thankful for all the support I've had. You don't win 2000 by yourself. There are a lot of people behind the scenes.” After a two-year break from riding competitively in 2022, Maragh resumed riding at Gulfstream just over one year ago in Oct. 2024 with a goal to reach the 2000-win milestone. “This is a career milestone that I've really looked forward to as a short-term goal of mine,” he said. “To accomplish it, it's actually motivating. It creates the possibility that anything's possible, doing this at the highest level–Gulfstream's Championship Meet.” The post Jockey Rajiv Maragh Rides 2000th Career Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to an ongoing interruption of water service, the Dec. 5 racing card at Fair Grounds is canceled. The water main break in the neighborhood of the track is being addressed.View the full article

Between Del Mar and Santa Anita Park’s meets, jockey Antonio Fresu is riding in the United Arab Emirates, giving him the chance to ride Dec. 6 in the 33rd UAE President Cup for Arabians and the HH The President Cup for Thoroughbreds.View the full article