Wandering Eyes

This is the story of an obscure big-league baseball journeyman from a half-century ago and the Preakness Stakes (G1) horse that bears his name. Gosger the horse is a gray/roan colt named for the largely forgotten player, Jim Gosger.View the full article

For trainer Brad Cox, there's one of two distinctly different ways to win the $250,000 Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) May 16 at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

America's Best Racing provides a quick look and thoughts on Preakness (G1) field.View the full article

Jockey Saffie Osborne discusses Preakness Stakes (G1) contender Heart of Honor's busy morning May 16 at Pimlico Race Course. She rides for her dad, trainer Jamie Osborne, in her first United States ride.View the full article

With many, many more dollars destined to be invested in the pool, early Preakness Stakes (G1) bettors are flocking to Journalism.View the full article

BALTIMORE, MD — In the days leading up to the 150th Preakness, a lot had been made of the one horse that wouldn't make it into Saturday's lineup at Pimlico–Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief). However, those that have been entered in the final renewal of the Classic race before Old Hiltop faces the demolition man are certainly no slouches. Leading the fray, Journalism (Curlin) returns off a runner-up finish in the Run for the Roses. Lest some may have forgotten, however unlikely, he went off post-time favorite for the 10-furlong Classic after winning four straight races, including this season's GII San Felipe Stakes and GI Santa Anita Derby. “I have a lot of confidence in my horse,” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “He's coming back in two weeks. Sometimes with good horses, it's a lot harder to tell when they're not on top of their game, because they can handle it. They handle these things so easily. We'll see on Saturday, but my gut tells me we're in for good things.” And McCarthy should know, having won the Preakness with his very first runner, Rombauer (Twirling Candy), in 2021. Already having proven he can handle an off track, the versatile colt offers rider Umberto Rispoli flexibility in the 1 3/16-mile Classic. “I wouldn't say there's more impetus to get to the lead,” McCarthy said. “I would say the way he has placed himself in his races, he can lay close and be effective. I'd just like a clean break this week. That's all.” Also toting Grade I credentials, Sandman (Tapit) seems to be in the thick of things more times than not, and he chose the opportune time to break through at the black-type level, taking the Oaklawn's GI Arkansas Derby by 2 1/2 lengths Mar. 29. After a seventh in the Kentucky Derby one month later, trainer Mark Casse initially declared the big grey would bypass the second jewel in the Triple Crown. Good thing the decision wasn't etched in stone. “When I said I wasn't coming to the Preakness, I wasn't coming to the Preakness,” Casse admitted. “But I think [last] Saturday morning I analyzed everything and said, 'We're going to the Preakness.'” “I called [co-owners] [D. J. Stables'] Jon Green, [St. Elias'] Monique Delk, [West Point Thoroughbreds'] Terry Finley– they were all supportive.” Reflecting on the colt's underwhelming Derby performance, Casse explained, “I think he got so out of sorts in the first quarter of a mile and it was downhill from there.” Making what may seem like a last-minute decision to reroute to the Preakness, Casse knows what it takes to land in the winner's circle come the second Saturday in May, having won the race with War of Will (War Front) in 2019 and finishing a close-up second with Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) two years earlier. And Casse's decision to run is underscored when comparing the three colts. However, he is also quick to recognize the differences between them. “Physically, [Sandman] is like War of Will and Classic Empire, taller, leaner horses. That's what I buy,” he said. “But tactically, this horse isn't like either of those. If you push him right out of the gate, he'll fall apart. You want him to be as close as you can, but you cannot push him to be there. You have to let him take you there, so he is different.” Any commentary on the Preakness would be incomplete without mentioning Hall of Fame trainers D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert, who between the two of them, have accounted for 15 wins between them. Lukas tries to equal Baffert's eight-win record with American Promise (Justify), winner of this season's Virginia Derby. Hampered by an errant Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) at the start of the Kentucky Derby, the chestnut flattened out late to be 16th. “After seeing it several times, I think he actually recovered really well and was in good position at the three-eighths pole, I wish [jockey Nik Juarez] would have waited there and not to try and split those horses [in front of him],” explained Lukas, who won last season's Preakness with Seize the Grey (Arrogate). “The patent ride that I have taught him to do was the one at Colonial. I believe he has that kick, I am not sure he would have been good enough to win–I think the two best horses ran 1-2. But I think at least we weren't going to be were we ended up.” Despite the forgettable performance, Lukas thinks the colt has been giving all the right signals ever since. “I actually think he's better this week than he was the week before the Derby,” opined Lukas. “I don't know what that is. But he was sharp after the race and has been sharp ever since. He came back really well. No excuses.” Last tasting Preakness success with National Treasure in 2023, Baffert offers up a colt–from the same ownership group–who has yet to win black-type. Goal Oriented (Not This Time) earned 'TDN Rising Star' status when scoring at Santa Anita in April and came back to win his latest, going 1 1/16 miles in the Churchill slop May 3. Goal Oriented | Bill Denver/MJC With racing's roulette wheel landing Baffert's charge Citizen Bull on the rail in the Derby, it seemed highly unlikely that his runner would once again draw there again two weeks later. Maybe you should play the lottery, Bob. “The one-hole isn't as bad here,” said Baffert of his colt's Preakness position. “In Kentucky, the one-hole and the 17 are the kiss of death. Here, it's a shorter field.” “He has handled everything we have thrown at him,” Baffert added. “He is a big, strong horse. This is a tough group; but the break is going to be so important for him.” A win by Pay Billy (Improbable) would certainly be among this year's best feel-good stories. A nose shy of being undefeated in four starts this term, the $60,000 OBSAPR purchase won his two latest–Laurel's Private Terms Stakes and Federico Tesio Stakes. The latter race earned him a berth in Saturday's Preakness lineup. “They wanted a Derby horse. When he didn't have points to get in, we won the Tesio which was a [qualifying race] for the Preakness. So I told them we'll just point for the Preakness, and one of the owners [RKTN Racing] said, “what is the Preakness?” explained trainer Michael Gorham. While the ownership was looking for a Derby horse when they went to the sales last year, the team is now fully apprised of the importance of the Preakness, not only its importance to the Baltimore community, but to the sport on a whole. “We've kind of done all the work and usually I like to ease them into a race a couple days before,” Gorham said. “He had a strong gallop [Wednesday] so that should set him up pretty good. Hopefully, he's ready to go.” This year's Preakness field offers a bit of color, courtesy of European invader Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), second last time out in the G2 UAE Derby. Adding extra flavor is that the colt is supported by the trainer/jockey combo of the father-and-daughter team, Jamie and Saffie Osborne. The field is rounded out by GISP 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music), SW Clever Again (American Pharoah) and Grade III scorer Gosger (Nyquist). Saturday's Preakness Day undercard also features the GIII Dinner Party Stakes, GIII Maryland Sprint Stakes and GIII Gallorette Stakes. Preakness Runner Sandman Helps Usher in New Generation Into Racing Many will argue that Classic contender Sandman offers one of the best talking points of racing this season. Named for Metallica's song 'Enter Sandman', the grey colt has drawn plenty of media attention to the sport, in no small part because of social media influencer Griffin Johnson, who is among the ownership group-D.J. Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, St Elias Stables and CJ Stables–that campaigns the $1.2 million OBS March purchase. According to West Point's Terry Finley, getting a younger generation involved in the sport is crucial at this juncture in our history. “More and more people that are looking to get into our business are definitely bringing up the fact that they've taken note that our business has improve on the integrity and safety fronts,” said Finley. “I hear it more and more. Before HISA, I didn't hear it at all.” He continued, “I just say to my brethren, if you look at HISA as the enemy, I believe you out of step with the future of our industry. I know more people are truly tired of putting up with the voices that have not evolved in many years, saying they represent the overall outlook. They don't.” According to Finley, HISA's involvement–in addition to other initiatives–shows that the industry is moving in the right direction. And younger folks like Johnson are taking notice. Griffin Johnson and trainer Mark Casse | Jerry Dzierwinski “He was exposed to horses as a kid while on a working farm, but he wasn't really exposed to the business outside of the Derby, like a lot of young people,” Finley said. “I can tell you, we have talked extensively about integrity and safety. I know he is helping the industry, but I know he is also engaging with people individually. He engages with trainers, track executives, older people and younger people. Really people all across the world. He has already been invited to Australia, Asia and Europe. This is a proto-type person that we want in the business in the future.” While getting a younger generation into racing has been a talking point for years, getting new owners like Johnson into the game remains important to keeping the momentum rolling. “Here is a generational talent and mind, we saw the impact he had in the Kentucky Derby. In his world, honesty, integrity and authenticity are key,” Finley explained. “You look at the work the industry has done despite the pushback, in particular HISA, and he fits right in. He's given people a very honest and insightful outlook of what his generation, that are not involved in the business, are starting to formulate. There is no doubt, that safety and integrity, are at the beginning of every conversation with Lisa [Lazarus] and others that have contacted him. It's reflective of how Gen Z is looking at our industry. It's very clear.” And while much has been done in recent years, Finley points out there is more to be done. He said, “The more defined we are in improving our safety and integrity, and the quicker we do it, the more we have a shot to bring more and more Gen Z and others to our business going forward.” The post Preakness Still Packs A Punch Without The Derby Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Nik Juarez returns to his home state of Maryland to ride American Promise in the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course May 17.View the full article

The Lion In Winter has been usurped as favorite for the Epsom Derby (G1) by Delacroix and Ruling Court after a tame comeback effort behind the impressive Pride of Arras in the May 15 Dante Stakes (G2).View the full article

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, Rep. Don Davis, and Sen. Tom Cotton have introduced the Racehorse Health and Safety Act to Congress, which would establish an interstate compact to develop nationwide rules for horse racing.View the full article

For all of the wet weather and gloomy skies at Pimlico Race Course this week, the winds of change have been swirling in Maryland for much longer than a week or even a year. View the full article

Ace miler Rosallion will face eight runners as he aims to make a winning return in what looks like a high-quality renewal of the Lockinge Stakes (G1) May 17 at Newbury Racecourse.View the full article

If trainer Jamie Osborne and Heart of Honor seem out of place at Pimlico Race Course, it's probably because there hasn't been a starter in the Preakness Stakes (G1) bred outside of North America since the Ireland-bred Celtic Ash in 1960. View the full article

A Maryland native, jockey Nik Juarez will ride his first Preakness Stakes (G1) aboard American Promise at Pimlico Race Course May 17.View the full article

Racing will be run May 19 and May 21 next week.View the full article

Having exhibited bad habits in the starting gate in Dubai, Heart of Honor broke from the gate at Pimlico Race Course May 16 ahead of the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1). He also schooled in the paddock.View the full article

Rebel's Romance is a global star, but he proved he is just as happy closer to home when landing yet another big race in a Yorkshire Cup Stakes (G2) thriller.View the full article

Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) made it back to the winner's circle for the first time since last summer as she powered home a winner in the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes on the Black-Eyed Susan undercard. The victress in the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland as a late juvenile, Candied won the Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth in early June. Incredibly consistent afterwards, the filly was the runner-up in the GI CCA Oaks and the GI Alabama Stakes, both at the Spa. The lioness also finished third in the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland last fall and capped her campaign with a third-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff behind Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna). Going to the sidelines, the Todd Pletcher trainee returned to Keeneland Apr. 18 and was third in the GIII Baird Doubledogdare Stakes. Well-supported at 90 cents on the dollar here, the favorite was taken in hand and settled midpack heading into the first turn. Content to allow Dazzling Move (Not This Time) and Peignoir (Mendelssohn) to knock heads through the quarter pole, Candied went on the attack down the lane. Despite veering significantly inward from the center of the course with a furlong to go, the chalk flashed her ability and sealed the deal. “It was nice to see her back in the winner's circle,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “We had a beautiful trip, saved ground around the first turn and [Irad Ortiz] bided his time around the second turn. It looked like when he got her in the clear, she finished well. We felt like everything fit well with this race. “I think everything is in play [for what would be next],” he said. “We will see how she bounces out of it. The Ogden Phipps [June 8 at Saratoga] might be back a little quick, but we are not going to rule it out yet.” The winner's dam is responsible for a 2-year-old colt by Solomini and she foaled a colt by Gun Runner Feb. 15. Candied's third dam Burnish (Menifee) was the winner of the GIII Miss Preakness Stakes. Sadly, she passed away this year, ALLAIRE DUPONT DISTAFF S., $125,000, Pimlico, 5-16, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:50.47, ft. 1–CANDIED, 120, f, 4, Candy Ride (Arg)–Toni Tools (SW, $193,339), by Roaring Fever. ($165,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bobby Flay; B-Buck Pond Farm, Inc. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $75,000. Lifetime Record: GISW & MGISP, 11-4-2-4, $1,253,488. 2–Dazzling Move, 124, f, 4, Not This Time–Lady Liam, by Saint Liam. ($85,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $135,000 2yo '23 EASMAY). O-Miller Racing LLC; B-Jesse Korona (ON); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $25,000. 3–Regaled, 120, f, 4, Mohaymen–Ascot Walk, by Daaher. ($9,500 Wlg '21 KEENOV). O-Brittnee Caballero; B-Chris Baccari (KY); T-Samuel G. Davis. $12,500. Margins: 3, 1HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 0.90, 1.70, 30.00. Also Ran: Peignoir, Lemon Muffin, Miss Hebrides. Scratched: Sea Dancer, Sudden Switch. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. CANDIED ($3.80) was just too good in the $125,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff at @PimlicoRC! This is the third stakes win for the four-year-old Candy Ride (@LanesEndFarms) filly. @iradortiz was aboard for trainer @PletcherRacing and owners @EclipseTBP and @bflay. pic.twitter.com/derOUZ8nIh — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 16, 2025 The post GISW Candied Back In The Winner’s Circle After Allaire DuPont Distaff Win At Pimlico appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Winner of the Listed Myrtlewood Stakes at Keeneland last October and last seen finishing second in the Fern Creek Stakes at Churchill Downs the following month, Gabriel Duignan's ECHO SOUND (f, 3, Echo Town–Eagle Sound, by Fusaichi Pegasus) became the first graded-stakes winner for her Coolmore America-based sire when making a successful sophomore debut in Friday's GIII Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. A 3.90-1 chance despite the lengthy absence, the bay won the break and made the running through the opening exchanges, but instead of going on with it, Luis Saez elected to take a bit of a hold and settled his mount just off a four-pronged battle for the lead. Content to concede ground loss for the run around the turn, Echo Sound loomed boldly outside of a tiring Family (Sharp Azteca) at the quarter pole, wandered around a bit once striking to the front at the furlong grounds and went on to score comfortably. Longshots You'll Be Back (Practical Joke) and Hollygrove (Complexity) fought out the minor awards. Saturday, Pimlico MISS PREAKNESS S.-GIII, $150,000, Pimlico, 5-16, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:11.14, ft. 1–ECHO SOUND, 124, f, 3, by Echo Town 1st Dam: Eagle Sound, by Fusaichi Pegasus 2nd Dam: Synformer, by Sovereign Dancer 3rd Dam: Anjelicco, by Angle Light 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Gabriel Duignan; B-Springhouse Farm, Vision TBs, Bruce Pieratt & Patricia Pieratt (KY); T-George R. Arnold II; J-Luis Saez. $90,000. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0, $363,745. *1/2 to Pick of the Litter (Kitten's Joy), GSW, $419,110 and Deer District (Oscar Performance), MGSP, $419,731. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue- style pedigree. 2–You'll Be Back, 118, f, 3, Practical Joke–Advance Party, by Empire Maker. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($115,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $575,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Greenwell Thoroughbreds, LLC; B-Alexander-Groves Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss. $30,000. 3–Hollygrove, 122, f, 3, Complexity–Moon and Stars, by Orb. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($57,000 RNA Wlg '22 KEENOV; $65,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL). O-Legion Racing; B-Glendalough LLC (KY); T-D. Whitworth Beckman. $15,000. Margins: 2, 3/4, 3. Odds: 3.90, 29.40, 23.20. Also Ran: G W's Girl, Mila Rose, High Paf, Not Too Late, Stunner, Volleyballprincess, Delray, Family. Scratched: Long Neck Paula, Vodka With a Twist. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. ECHO SOUND ($9.80) gets her first graded win in the $150,000 Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) at @PimlicoRC! The three-year-old Echo Town (@CoolmoreAmerica) filly has won four of five starts for trainer George “Rusty” Arnold. @luissaezpty was in the irons. pic.twitter.com/7yBcyxhuDY — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 16, 2025 The post Echo Sound Gives Echo Town A First Graded Winner in Miss Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With all eyes on Maryland this week as Saturday's 150th running of the GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course takes center stage, a unique organization that highlights all that Maryland's Thoroughbred industry has to offer aims to keep that focus year-round. The Maryland Thoroughbred Partnership (MTP), launched earlier this year, was created by Maryland Thoroughbred industry leaders to educate the general public about the expansiveness of the industry behind the nationally recognized sport of horse racing, which makes up a large part of the state's greater equine industry. The idea to develop a campaign devoted to shining a light on the Maryland Thoroughbred industry was one tossed around for years until a group of industry members came together to turn the concept into a reality. It all began with a casual lunch attended by Josh Pons of Country Life Farm, Jim Dresher of Glenangus Farm, Bill Boniface of Bonita Farm, Tom Bowman of Dance Forth Farm, David Wade of Northview Stallion Station, and David Nevins, President and CEO of Nevins & Associates, a Maryland-based public relations and marketing firm. “Whenever we have conversations about what we do, people who don't know about the Thoroughbred industry, or racing and breeding horses in general, are typically fascinated by it,” said Dresher. “I've never seen an industry that sells itself so well to itself and doesn't sell itself to anybody else.” With support from a variety of individuals across Maryland's Thoroughbred industry, along with generous support from the Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA), the group hired Nevins & Associates to officially launch the MTP. The organization is the foundation for a comprehensive educational, marketing and public relations campaign broadcasting the significance of the Thoroughbred industry in Maryland. Through their website and accounts on social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, the MTP is creating, collecting and curating a wealth of educational content while collaborating with local media outlets to share Maryland's longstanding story with the Thoroughbred. “We're not marketing something that you can really measure. Instead, we're putting out there to the people of Maryland this sort of underappreciated component of their everyday lives. That is the horse farms that they pass, where they may stop and pull in the driveway to see a foal, but they really don't know what goes on behind the scenes, behind the gates of those farms,” explained Pons. “We have the best stories in sports. We should be promoting our stories more, letting people know what goes on every day and what the industry does. From the number of people who are employed, to the economic benefits for open space and the environmental impact, with land being the best filter that the Chesapeake Bay has,” said Dresher. “We hired Nevins & Associations to be the conduit between our stories and our stories being told [to the general public].” Funded by the Maryland Horse Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Maryland's equine heritage, the MTP has produced feature videos highlighting Maryland-based trainer Brittany Russell; Kathy Anderson, a longtime equine veterinarian and Medical Director at the Fair Hill Training Center; the history and continued legacy of Country Life Farm; Maryland trainer Bill Boniface and his 1983 GI Preakness Stakes winner Deputed Testamony (Traffic Cop); and Maryland-bred Post Time (Frosted), a multiple graded stakes winner who has garnered recognition on the national racing stage. Along with the organization's own content, the MTP has worked with local news stations such as WJZ-TV – CBS Baltimore and WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore to highlight the horses and humans that make up Maryland's Thoroughbred industry. Most recently, WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore tagged along for part of the Maryland Horse Farm Tour, held Sunday, May 11 at horse farms across the state, to highlight the opportunity for the public to connect with horses as part of the Preakness Festival celebration. “A term I really like is called 'the trust bank.' They say every time you do something and tell your story like this, you make a deposit in the trust bank. Eventually, there's going to be some story that comes out where people say, 'What's going on here?' But if they know you and trust you, you're in a lot better situation than if they don't. As an industry, I don't think we've done that enough,” said Dresher. “We're not really building transactions. We're letting people know that we're agriculture, we're part of the economy, and quite simply, we're human beings that care about these animals a lot. “Most businesses not only have hardcore marketing, but they also have image marketing as well. We need to promote our image for how important we are to our state.” 2025 marks a new era for Maryland's Thoroughbred industry. This year's running of the Preakness is the final time the second leg of the Triple Crown will be run at the original Pimlico before the historic venue is demoed and redeveloped. Also, as part of the redevelopment plan, a new state-owned training facility will be constructed at Shamrock Farm in Woodbine, Md. The new nonprofit Maryland Jockey Club will handle daily racing operations at Maryland's racetracks, while the Maryland Stadium Authority will oversee the construction aspect of the plan. The Pimlico winner's enclosure | Horsephotos “When we started this, that really was not a prominent story, so we didn't create this with that intent. There was a void, and then we filled the void. However, the [MTP] does address those things that, again, key opinion leaders say 'this is a legacy sport and there's a lot of goodness here,'” said Dresher. “We're in the news a lot. Everybody knows that Pimlico is going to be torn down a month after the Preakness and [that the construction] will be done in two years. The state will own this racetrack [Pimlico] and control it, leaving it up to the horsemen to make it successful. So, [the work of the MTP] is all part of that effort.” “It's an important component that the whole industry has to get used to, that we are partners with the state, and we are going to work and play well with them. It's that kind of story that we can talk about,” added Pons. “I'm hoping this is part of the fabric of telling the whole story of Maryland horse racing and breeding, not just racing.” According to the 2023 Economic Impact Study of the Maryland Horse Industry, the equine industry contributes $2.9 billion to the state's economy and has a total employment impact of 28,438 jobs. When it comes specifically to the Thoroughbred industry within the state, it produces a total economic impact of $664 million and supports over 8,000 jobs. For the team behind the MTP, comprised of Dresher, Pons, Wade, Boniface, Bowman, Joe Clancy of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine, and Michelle St. John of St. John Productions, the work of the organization is not only one of passion, but also necessity, in hopes of continuing Maryland's Thoroughbred legacy for generations to come. “You have to appreciate that our stance isn't to get you to come out for one event, but instead it's to educate. [The MTP is] run through the Maryland Horse Foundation, which gives the foundation more profile and involves the MHBA, along with their new Maryland Horse Library & Education Center,” said Pons. “[The late] Jim McKay was our public relations firm for a long time, but that doesn't happen without raising awareness of the whole industry. “I think we can be our own best public relations firm, the horse business itself, and we're utilizing the Nevins group to keep us organized and modern.” To learn more about the Maryland Thoroughbred Partnership, click here. To learn more about the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center, click here. The post Maryland Thoroughbred Partnership Shining A Light On State’s Thoroughbred Industry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fergus Galvin's PLAY WITH FIRE (f, 3, Oscar Performance–Streaming Fire, by Street Sense) was produced widest into the Pimlico stretch and steamed down the center of the rain-affected turf course to take out Friday's Hilltop Stakes. Off as the 7-2 second choice in a field scratched down to eight when Complexity Jane (Complexity) dumped jockey Sheldon Russell in the preliminaries, the $85,000 OBS March graduate was content to drop out to the back of the field and was shuffled all the way to last as favored Me Governor (The Factor) took them along at a leisurely clip. Following the move of her stablemate Sigh No More (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) while still quietly ridden approaching the quarter pole, the Minnesota-bred Play With Fire came wide and whooshed home to easily account for Pretty Lavish (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}). Princess Attitude (Frankel {GB}) enjoyed the run of the race from third and was first to put Me Governor to the sword in the stretch, but lacked the necessary finish and settled for some black-type in third. Play With Fire is the 15th stakes winner for her Mill Ridge-based stallion. Sales history: $85,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-1. O-Fergus Galvin; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (MN); T-Brendan Walsh. PLAY WITH FIRE ($9.00) wins the $125,000 Hilltop Stakes at @PimlicoRC. This is the first stakes win for the three-year-old filly by @MillRidgeFarm's Oscar Performance. Flavien Prat was in the irons for @brenpwalsh. pic.twitter.com/YXnrMUZV2J — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 16, 2025 The post Oscar Performance Filly Play With Fire Burns The Turf In the Hilltop appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a 4-3 vote during a contentious May 15 meeting in Sacramento, the California Horse Racing Board denied awarding race dates for the Humboldt County Fair at Ferndale in Northern California.View the full article

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan FarmView the full article

The weather looks promising ahead of the May 16 Black Eyed Susan Stakes (G3) and the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1), as sunny skies have helped dry the main track. There is a 40% chance of rain Friday, with a high of 82 degrees.View the full article

Ascoli Piceno and Stellenbosch renew an old rivalry in the May 18 Victoria Mile (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Jim and Claire Bryce had about as important a decision as one could have when they named their Preakness Stakes (G1) runner Heart of Honor: spelling.View the full article