Wandering Eyes

The demand for American Pharoah in Japan might explode if his son, Luxor Cafe, follows in his sire's hoofprints and wins the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill DownsView the full article

While there are thousands of partnerships formed each year in Thoroughbred racing, only a handful, if any, experience the euphoric thrill of Triple Crown success.View the full article

The day after the Kentucky Derby (G1) is typically a time to relax, but there will be no rest for the weary May 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

The GII Wood Memorial Stakes winner and Bob Baffert trainee Rodriguez (Authentic) has been scratched with a sensitive foot bruise from the Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby, according a tweet from SF Racing's Tom Ryan. “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez,” the post by Ryan said. “He has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days. Therefore, we are resetting our plans and will target him for the Preakness.” The 'TDN Rising Star' will now be replaced by Baeza (McKinzie), who waited in the wings for trainer John Shirreffs and at 12-1 on the morning-line will be ridden by Flavien Prat. Per DRF, jockey Luis Saez will now ride Neoequos (Neolithic). Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez. He has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days. Therefore, we are resetting our plans and will target him for the Preakness. — Tom Ryan (@TomRyanKY) May 1, 2025 The post Rodriguez Scratches From Kentucky Derby With Foot Bruise, Baeza Up Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

9th-Churchill Downs, $134,460, Alw (NW3$X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 5-1, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:07.84, ft, 2 1/2 lengths. WORLD RECORD (c, 4, Gun Runner–Marwa {GB}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}), last year's GII Amsterdam Stakes winner who was unraced since a third in the Steel Valley Sprint Stakes at Mahoning Valley in late November, returned to the races with a winning effort Thursday. The 'TDN Rising Star' faced a salty allowance field led by GSW Track Phantom (Quality Road) and fellow 'Rising Star' MGSP Nash (Medaglia d'Oro) but was made the even-money favorite drawn inside of that pair. Clear from drama shortly after the break as Petcoff (Munnings) stumbled badly and Caramel Chip (Midshipman) dropped jockey Junior Alvarado, World Record was intent on the lead and pressed all the way into the far turn by both of his main rivals through testy fractions of :21.30 and :43.91. Still on the lead and not conceding any ground down the lane, the favorite kept the late-running Nash, who had to stay outside to avoid the loose Caramel Chip, at bay to win his come-back effort by 2 1/2 lengths. Alvarado was quickly on his feet after the incident at the start while Caramel Chip was pulled up by the outriders after the finish and walked off. Marwa has 2-year-old Maxfield filly and produced another filly by Tacitus this year. Sales History: $410,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-4-0-3, $390,140. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-WinStar Farm LLC and BBN Racing LLC; B-Runnymede Farm LLC, Falguieres Bloodstock, Gestut Zur Kuste AG, et (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. Flavien Prat and WORLD RECORD ($4.30) looked like they were going for a world record in the 9th at @ChurchillDowns. The colt by @Three_Chimneys' Gun Runner is trained by @BrissetRodolphe. Note: Caramel Chip and rider @JuniorandKellyA are both okay after the start. pic.twitter.com/rEYZgtPCev — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 1, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ World Record Returns A Winner At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-Belmont The Big A, $85,360, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 5-1, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:35.89, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. CASSIAR (f, 3, City of Light–Nellie Cashman {GSW, $349,839}, by Mineshaft), runner-up in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks behind recently-scratched Kentucky Oaks entrant Five G (Vekoma), cut back to the mile but faced several salty fillies including the come-backing GI Frizette Stakes winner Scottish Lassie (McKinzie). That 2-5 favorite made much of the running, setting a pressured pace just ahead of Dry Powder (Gun Runner) through fractions of :23.78 and :46.57. Cassiar sat third off that pair into the turn, really picked up the bridle with an outside bid at the quarter pole and came home nicely as the heavy favorite began to fade to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Dry Powder stayed on for second while Scottish Lassie was third. The top three were well clear of the final two runners in the field on the line. Out of GIII Virginia Oaks winner Nellie Cashman, also the dam of Bendoog (Gun Runner), G1SP-UAE, GSP-USA, $817,116, Cassiar has a yearling Mitole half-sister and a foal half-sister by Mandaloun. Sales History: $400,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GSP, 3-2-0-1, $91,710. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-W.S. Farish; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. The post City Of Light’s Cassiar Denies Scottish Lassie In Aqueduct Allowance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A field of 11 will line up in the first British classic of the season with leading contenders Field of Gold, Ruling Court, and Expanded among the runners for the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse May 3.View the full article

Willie Mullins's Closutton Stables consigned Aurora Vega (Ire) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) (lot 6) to the Goffs Punchestown Sale on Thursday, and was duly rewarded when the 7-year-old mare topped proceedings at €450,000 on the bid of Gerry Aherne. The full-sister to four-time Grade 1 winner Facile Vega (Ire) is out of the G1 Tipperkevin Hurdle heroine Quevega (Fr) (Robin Des Champs {Fr}). She is a listed bumper winner and won the G1 Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle. Minella Machine (Ire) (Blue Bresil {Fr}) (lot 9) was the other horse to clear the €300,000 marker when selling to Mags O'Toole for €350,000. Consigned by Minella Racing, the 4-year-old gelding is a winner of a Curraghmore point-to-point and is a half-brother to listed hurdle winner Jubilee Alpha (Ire) (Flemensfirth). In 2025, all 24 horses offered sold for a gross of €4,095,000. The average rose 5% to €170,625 and the median rose 16% to €162,500. A quintet of lots made €200,000 or more. “Goffs Punchestown Sale was the first festival sale and delivers year after year, but never more so than 2025,” said Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby. “We were delighted to return a stunning 100% clearance rate with a top price of €450,000 for the impeccably bred Grade 1 winner Aurora Vega. “Once again, our vendors provided a highly desirable group of current high-class performers and have been duly rewarded. We thank them and wish every purchaser huge success at the same time.” The post Walk In The Park Mare Makes €450k To Top Punchestown Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LOUISVILLE, KY– Two months ago, trainer Dale Romans and California Horse Racing Board vice president Oscar Gonzalez traveled to Washington, D.C. with the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) to join more than 150 business leaders in a push for bipartisan immigration reform. On Thursday, May 1 after training hours concluded at Churchill Downs, the pair participated in a media briefing to share their insights from the trip and explain why the group believes that now is the time to reform U.S. laws and regulations affecting legal immigrant workers. Around 20 media outlets from both within the industry and beyond attended the briefing, which was hosted by the ABIC and the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. Gonzalez, who served as senior advisor on immigration to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for 10 years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture prior to joining the CHRB, said that he has witnessed the highs and lows of the immigration conversation. “I think we're at a critical point now with market access challenges, labor shortages and with prices getting higher,” he explained. “We think that the American public is ready for a conversation.” Gonzalez said ABIC's March campaign to 121 congressional offices was just the start of a broader push for immigration reform—one that will require active involvement from leaders within the racing industry, which relies on immigrants for roughly 78% of its workforce. “We laid out the conversation about the economic impact that the equine industry has on the country and in urban areas like [Louisville],” he said. “What you can be expecting in the next couple months is really just engaging horse racing people in particular– going to racetracks, letting their members of congress and governors know about the importance of them being at the table. This will also involve getting sign-on letters and additional trips to Washington.” In an article from the TDN's Dan Ross earlier this week, Ross discussed how President Donald Trump broached the topic of reform at an April 10 cabinet meeting. “At that gathering, Trump intimated of a new program to help farm, hotel and other workers leave the country and then return legally with the support of their U.S. employer,” Ross penned. “While Trump's wording at the meeting was vague, the pathways available to bring such concepts to life appear largely two-fold: Through executive order or through legislation.” In Thursday's meeting, Dale Romans, who is also the President of the Kentucky HBPA, offered his opinion on the most effective methods for enacting change. “Everything starts with the White House,” Romans said. “If [Trump] came up with an amnesty program, we just want to be in on the conversation when he decides to do something. I think he's a businessman at the end of the day and that's a positive for us. I don't think there's as much of a concern about the welfare of Central and South Americans, but I think he understands business and the business cannot operate in this country without a labor force.” The racing industry currently relies on the H-2B visa program to meet its demand for backstretch workers, but the system has shortcomings. Visas are capped annually and typically last only 10 months, though they can be extended for up to three years. “It's a cumbersome system,” said Romans. “It has to find people in Central and South America that want to come here and work on a visa and then you have to get visas allotted to you every year, so you don't know for sure if you're going to get them in the next year and then you only get them for 10 months once they get here. There has to be a simpler system.” He continued, “In a perfect world, I would love to see the government almost running a temp service where someone in Central or South America applies to the temp service, then I call them and say I need 20 workers to come work on the backside and they come to me. It would turn the system upside down. Right now, it's difficult to stay legal and it's hard to plan for the future. Every 10 months you're reapplying for new visas and there is no guarantee you're going to get them. There's a cap on them but there is not a cap on need.” President Trump's recent comments on immigration reform suggest a potential broadening of the administration's approach, which has so far emphasized strong border enforcement. While the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apparently has not yet set its sights on racing, reports from other industries have created uncertainty within the backside community. Dale Romans | Lauren King “I've worked with immigrant workers my whole life and I've never seen people under the stress they've gone through the last six months,” said Romans. “Everybody is worried. I've never had so many people come to me asking questions.” Romans said that earlier this spring when his stable was relocating from Florida to Kentucky, members of his staff traveling with the horses expressed concerns about stopping at state agricultural inspection stations. “They asked, 'Are we going to be swept away when we cross the border? Is there going to be ICE sitting there waiting?'” shared Romans. “These are legal people that have work visas but have concerns. It's a very important issue.” Romans said he is optimistic about seeing change under the current administration. “Trump is saying all the right things,” he noted. “He wants to separate the good from the bad. He understands the workforce issue we have in this country. We're at 4% unemployment. These are people that pay their taxes. They'll never see the benefit of social security, but they're paying into it every year. We might as well make it legal. We can't operate without them.” Also during Thursday's meeting, National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback and ABIC CEO Rebecca Shi offered their insight on the need for immigration reform. Joe Stave of Monterey Mushrooms, one of America's largest mushroom producers, shared how his company relies on the soiled straw from racetracks for compost to grow their product and discussed how his industry relies on the same labor force as the equine industry. Will Velie, an immigration attorney specializing in the racing industry, pointed out how future reform could take a shape similar to the 2022 Affordable and Secure Food Act.” “[The bill] came six votes short and lost in the filibuster, but it said if you worked in agriculture for a previous period of time and you agreed to work in agriculture for a number of years after that, you would become legal and have a pathway to a long-term, permanent presence,” Velie explained. “I think right now with the border being secure, this is a bipartisan issue and I think we have the space where we can get something done to take care of the people who take care of us.” The post Critical Point: Industry Works Toward Immigration Reform appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a half-sister to a Group 1 winner. 1.10 Newmarket, Mdn, £40,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT PEARLA (IRE) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) makes her debut for Wathnan Racing and William Haggas, having cost 425,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 1. A half-sister to the G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), the Irish Oaks entry is joined by the expected clutch of bluebloods including John and Thady Gosden's Meon Valley homebred Zaltana (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the second foal out of their Oaks heroine Anapurna (GB) (Frankel {GB}). 1.43 Chantilly, Debutantes, €27,000, 3yo, f, 10fT AZZURA (FR) (Siyouni {Fr}) is a full-sister to the 2020 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Dream And Do (Ire) who starts her career for her owner-breeders Haras du Logis Saint Germain and the Jerome Reynier stable. Among her rivals is Juddmonte's Golden Splendour (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), a Francis-Henri Graffard-trained daughter of the G1 Nassau Stakes winner Winsili (GB) (Dansili {GB}) related to the recent G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes scorer Zanzoun (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). 5.13 Chantilly, Listed, €70,000, 4yo/up, 6fT LAZZAT (FR) (Territories {Ire}) bids to build on his comeback fourth in the Listed Prix Altipan and resume the winning thread in this Listed Prix Servanne. Nurlan Bizakov's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, G3 Prix Paul de Moussac and G3 Prix Djebel winner had a hard winter, going down narrowly in the Golden Eagle before trying the G1 Hong Kong Mile so it is a case of going gently at present. The post Wathnan’s Sea The Stars Half To Place Du Carrousel Debuts At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, white cowboy hat, shades and all, leading the charge aboard his stable pony, Thursday's exclusive 15-minute training session for GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks entrants was off and running on another partly cloudy and warm, humid morning at Churchill Downs. The 89-year-old, four-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer was accompanying Virginia Derby hero American Promise (Justify), who will become his 51st starter in Saturday's Run for the Roses. Doesn't get much better than that. Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}), an enticing 30-1 on the morning line, was the first to catch the eye. The GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up has been getting over the surface quite nicely ahead of his first career attempt on dirt. Between the rail draw and visual impression that he's made all week, last year's champion 2-year-old Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) may be the fastest of them all heading into the clubhouse turn for the 1 1/4-mile Classic. Burnham Square (Liam's Map) has been giving off plenty of good vibes this week, galloping once again with his neck arched while passing the big crowd in attendance lined up along the rail on the backstretch. His affable jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., prominently featured on the front page of our special, Kentucky Derby preview edition, will look to put them back to back after masterfully guiding Mystik Dan (Goldencents) home to an 18-1 upset last year. You would never guess that Publisher (American Pharoah), a striking $600,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga baby, would still be a maiden just by watching him train. Publisher | Sherackatthetrack It's been nothing but good news to report for Journalism (Curlin) as well as Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who have owned the mornings this Kentucky Derby week. Journalism's long list of admirers while getting cleaned up back at Michael McCarthy's barn included co-owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partner's Aron Wellman and Bridlewood Farm's George Isaacs. “We have the utmost respect for every runner and their connections and we're taking nothing for granted, but Journalism instills a lot of confidence in everyone around him,” Wellman said. The post Thursday’s Kentucky Derby Report: Legendary D. Wayne Lukas Leads Cavalry Charge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of two fillies in a field of six for Thursday's $250,000 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill Downs, Wesley Ward's PINKY FINGER (f, 2, Army Mule–Bird Map, by Liam's Map) made those that swallowed the 1-2 starting price sweat it out in the waning strides, but was home narrowly best to run her record to two wins from as many appearances. A 7 1/2-length debut winner at even-money at Keeneland while also facing the boys Apr. 7, the $90,000 Keeneland November weanling hit the ground running and dueled through the early stages with Monster (Leinster) before opening up some daylight on the turn. Clear of her rivals as they hit the stretch, she was put to a more vigorous drive inside the final furlong and scraped home a narrow winner as Maximus Prime (Maximus Mischief) took ground off her with every stride, but was too late. The winner's stablemate Double Talker (Hootenanny), himself a first-out winner in Lexington Apr. 10, looked dangerous for a stride or two with less than an eighth of a mile to travel, but could do no better than third. Pinky Finger is one of 108 individual winners for her sire, who has now been represented by an incredible 16 stakes winners from roughly 160 starters. Ward told Churchill's Joe Kristufek that Pinky Finger has worked on the grass and handled it well and could be under consideration for a trip to Royal Ascot in about six weeks' time. Sales history: $90,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O/T-Wesley Ward; B-SpearmaCo (KY). PINKY FINGER ($3.02) does it again! The filly beat the boys and gets her first stakes win in the $250,000 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at @ChurchillDowns. The 2YO daughter of Army Mule is trained by Wesley Ward, @JRosarioJockey was up. pic.twitter.com/hLUiEJ4csZ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 1, 2025 The post Pinky Finger Another Stakes Winner For Army Mule in Kentucky Juvenile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 16:05, BETFRED JOCKEY CLUB STAKES-G2, £125,000, 4yo/up, 12f 0y Field: Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Divina Grace (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}). TDN Verdict: One of Europe's most dubious Group 2s, but this year it holds up well with the accomplished Silver Knott racing in his home town for the first time since the 2023 2,000 Guineas. Ambiente Friendly looks like a horse that needs a confidence boost and with Godolphin's stalwart in here that's not on the cards, so this is as much a test of his character as his ability which we saw in full in last year's Derby. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 13:45, TRUSTATRADER NEWMARKET STAKES-Listed, £55,000, 3yo, c/g, 10f 0y Field: Alpine Trail (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Aurel (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Devil's Advocate (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Ernst Blofeld (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Harvey (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Nebras (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Before the Guineas on Saturday, we'll be focusing on the Derby with this sporadically meaningful trial and the customary Godolphin lurker this time is Alpine Trail, a relative of Solemia who has the pedigree credentials to enter the “when will Dubawi's first Derby winner come” debate. Charlie Appleby might already have a fairly good idea of where he stands with regards to Aurel after that colt beat one of his other nice prospects at Kempton in November. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 14:20, NYETIMBER KING CHARLES II STAKES-Listed, £55,000, 3yo, 7f 0y Field: The Waco Kid (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Big Cyril (Ire) (No Nay Never), Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Diego Ventura (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), La Botte (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Marvelman (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Pellitory (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev, Port Light (Ire) (City Light {Fr}), Symbol Of Honour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). TDN Verdict: What is really a St James's Palace/Jersey trial is easily the card's most interesting race, with TDN Rising Star Cosmic Year taking the sensible route away from the Guineas but unfortunately still ending up presented with a true test. He may have won his two starts by wide margins so far, but he'll need to show another side to his make-up here. With the ground lively, this will be an examination of speed which will suit Godolphin's Symbol Of Honour and Wathnan's Diego Ventura while the impressive Craven meeting winner Pellitory and TDN Rising Star Chancellor rate as significant threats. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Chantilly, France, post time: 16:03, PRIX DE SURESNES-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, 10fT Field: Azimpour (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Nizam (Fr) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Leffard (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), New Ground (GB) (New Bay {GB}), Juwelier (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Chaumiere De Pre (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Nitoi (Siyouni {Fr}). TDN Verdict: If it's Rouget and unbeaten, it matters until proven otherwise and Leffard is the chosen one in a race he likes. After all, this is the race that launched Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in 2019 and Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) in 2023, so although we learned little about this relative of High Chaparral (Ire) at either Cagnes-sur-Mer or Toulouse we must pay close attention now. Nitoi probably sets the standard on his G3 Prix Noailles second, while the G3 Prix la Force runner-up Azimpour adds spice. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 15:35, BETFRED 2000 GUINEAS STAKES-G1, £525,000, 3yo, c/f, 8f 0y Field: Benevento (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Expanded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Green Impact (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Ruling Court (Justify), Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Seagulls Eleven (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Tornado Alert (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) (Kameko), Yah Mo Be There (GB) (Mohaather {GB}). Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Can Alpine Trail Punch His Derby Ticket At HQ? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Five G saw her path to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) come up a day short May 1 when she was scratched from the May 2 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Journalism's trainer Michael McCarthy has pledged to donate a portion of any Derby winnings to Win Place Home, a 501(c)(3) aftercare organization based in Southern California that retrains and rehomes off-track Thoroughbreds.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 04/30/2025 Licensee: Candalario Villamar, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Sky Cloud, who won at Turf Paradise on 3/20/25. Date: 04/29/2025 Licensee: Juan Arriagada, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Zatip, who finished last at Tampa Bay on 3/22/25. Date: 04/29/2025 Licensee: Jorge Farias, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Modera, who finished fifth at Los Alamitos on 3/16/25. Date: 04/25/2025 Licensee: Colleen O'Hagan, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Isle of Skye on 3/19/25. Date: 04/24/2025 Licensee: Darien Rodriguez, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; 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 $2,500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Everdoit, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/19/25. Date: 04/24/2025 Licensee: Jose Salinas, trainer Penalty: 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; 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 $5,000. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violations for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Zoomster on 6/9/23. Date: 04/24/2025 Licensee: Benjamin Bealmear, veterinarian Penalty: 4-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; a fine of $4,165. Admission. Explainer: For the possession of Adenosine Triphosphate (“ATP”) for an event dated 10/3/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances. The case resolution can be read here. Date: 04/24/2025 Licensee: Christophe Clement, trainer Penalty: None. Charges dismissed. Explainer: Clement's legal team “identified sufficient possible problems and deficiencies in the testing that cast some doubt about the scientific reliability of the testing that resulted in the [adverse analytical finding].” This case relates to what had been an alleged Flunixin overage–a controlled substance (Class C)–in in a sample taken from Gal in a Rush, who finished third in the G2 Presque Isle Downs Masters S. on 9/20/24. The lab in question is the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology Research Laboratory. More specifically, the case arbitrator found problems with the lab's “lack of an independent quality control sample,” as well as an “internal standard recovery” procedure that was “inconsistent.” A more detailed account of the case resolution can be read here. Pending ADMC Violations 04/30/2025, Steve Manley, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Thirsty Natalie on 4/1/25. 04/30/2025, John Alan Williams, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Hopkinsville on 4/1/25. 04/30/2025, Christopher Keller, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Gold Dart, who finished fifth at Colonial Downs on 3/15/25. 04/29/2025, Fausto Gutierez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Quatrocento, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/28/25. 04/28/2025, Nicholas Vaccarezza, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Military Cruiser on 3/28/25. 04/28/2025, Ramon Aguayo, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Salagadoola, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 3/26/25. 04/28/2025, Patrick Ashton, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Max Forward Speed, who finished second at Parx Racing on 3/4/25. 04/28/2025, Shannon Simpson, trainer: Pending violation for the possession of Pitcher Plant Extract–Adenosine Triphosphate (“ATP”), metabolase, Pengamine 250, Aminotonic, Solucion CS Pisa–for an event dated 2/5/25. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances. 04/25/2025, Kelli Martinez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Charter Oak, who won at Will Rogers on 4/1/25. 04/25/2025, Shane Meyers, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Holidays Army Brat, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/24/25. 04/25/2025, Royce Pulliam, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Johanny on 3/23/25. 04/25/2025, Megan Fadlovich, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Ivory Sky, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/19/25. 04/24/2025, Tareq Moubarak, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Rocky Seas, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 2/16/25. Violations of Crop Rule Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing Scott Bethke–violation date Apr. 26; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, Apr. 24-30 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — It felt more like the July Sale at Park Paddocks as May got off to a blistering start with record-breaking temperatures. The trade was warm enough in the ring, too. Though the figures for the Guineas Breeze-up Sale didn't rise quite as swiftly as the mercury, the returns were decent, with the 79% clearance rate being up three points on last year, while the median of 30,000gns represented a rise of 11%. The 5% dip in average was the one negative marker, with the turnover lifting slightly, to 5,045,500gns for 126 juveniles sold. Now, it is widely known that figures on any sales company's website don't always give a fully accurate picture of the market, with various deals struck with trainers or private transactions taking place after the close of play. Generally, though, the breeze-up sector appears to have held up well so far this year against a backdrop of global financial uncertainty, with demand for relatively precocious two-year-olds remaining undimmed. The Middleham Park Racing team stated their intended participation at this sale in yesterday's TDN, and they were true to their word, with the operation's Tim and Tom Palin and Mike Prince having a notably productive five minutes when signing up lots 250 and 252 – daughters of Calyx (GB) and Havana Grey (GB) respectively. The Havana Grey half-sister to the dual Australian Group 3 winner Future History (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) from Jerry Horan's Ballynure Park Stud had clocked the fastest time during the previous day's breeze on lively ground at the Rowley Mile, and it took a bid of 100,000gns from Prince to secure her. She will be trained in Yorkshire by Mick and David Easterby. The Calyx filly had also been among the five fastest breezers, and she will also head north, to Richard Fahey's stable, after being bought from her breeder Albany Stud for 155,000gns. She is out of Lamsa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who is already the dam of four winners from five runners. It was a result which brought Albany's Paul Commins to tears. “We never entered her in a foal or a yearling sale,” he said. “Everything has always been so easy for her, she has never come off the bridle at home. “After her breeze we were quietly confident and knew that we had done okay. We were hopeful of a good time and it was better than expected.” The Commins family bought the filly's dam for just 3,200gns at the July Sale back in 2016. Paul, 2o, who runs the farm with his father Don, added, “The second she was born my father said she was fast. He fell in love with her and almost lived in her stable. “I really do think she is good and I have been saying all week she is an Ascot filly.” Tom Palin did not disagree with the assessment and immediately nominated a Royal Ascot target. “We bought her from Albany Stud, so let's hope she wins the race of the same name in six weeks,” he said. “She was an obvious one really, she has a lot of size and substance, timed well and ticked all the boxes. We had to stretch a bit more than we wanted, but this sales season has been very hard to get stuck in, so you have to be a bit punchy on the ones you want.” Jerry Horan was thrilled that the Middleham Park team kept punching when his Havana Grey filly took to the ring two lots later. An 18,000gns purchase at October Book 2, she brought just over five times that amount just over six months later. Horan said, “She's a very fast filly, straightforward, and she's going to a top-class home. When I bought her she had a haematoma but once that opened and cleared out she just turned inside out. I'd like to thank the team – Jack, Stephen, Sinead and Jody – at Capital Stud for preparing her.” Knockgraffon Leads the Way Stevie Byrne of Knockgraffon Stables was responsible for two of the early leading lots, with Jono Mills of Rabbah Bloodstock going to 150,000gns for a colt by Ten Sovereigns (Ire), and Tessa Greatrex signing for a first-crop daughter of Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) at 92,000gns. The Ten Sovereigns colt (lot 237), whose granddam Long Lashes (Rock Hard Ten) won the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes, was bred by Michael Downey. “Michael has been a great client for us over the years,” Byrne said. “The horse has taken everything here like a champ and did a savage breeze. “We don't clock them at home, but his work at home has always been very good and it was a pleasant surprise to see him go so well. We are just delighted that it all fell into place for Michael.” With four lots sold for a total of 362,000gns, Knockgraffon Stables ended the day on a high as leading vendor. GS Bloodstock On Song for Breeder Noel O'Callaghan The trainer/jockey team of Sean Davis and Gary Halpin, whose ventures in the breeze-up sphere are made under the name of GS Bloodstock, had a result to remember on Thursday when selling a Mehmas (Ire) colt on behalf of breeder Noel O'Callaghan for 145,000gns. The son of Orange Blossom (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), from the family of G3 Cornwallis Stakes winner Good Vibes (GB), was bought online by Adam Driver on behalf of Omar Esmil Ghrghar. “Noel O'Callaghan has breeze-up horses with us every year. He's a massive supporter, Davis said. “This is a very nice horse and I am delighted that he has rewarded his breeder. He was a brilliant horse to do all winter and he clocked a very good time. We were kind of excited about him and I just hope he goes on and is lucky for his new owner. “The Mehmas [horses], they have great minds and they are athletes. He was very easy to train all winter, a professional, he made our job easy.” GS Bloodstock has sold six two-year-olds so far this season and the duo has another 15 to sell. As well as preparing horses to breeze, Davis also celebrated his first winner as a trainer in March, with his second winner coming along very quickly that same night. “I've eight horses in training and hopefully we'll have a few more once the summer gets going,” he added. Japan Pinhook Blows Hot for Tradewinds Lot 294, a colt from the first crop of the Gestut Etzean resident Japan (GB), became one of eight six-figure lots of the session when sold to KGS for 110,000gns. A €32,000 purchase by Tradewinds Stud and Paragon Bloodstock at the BBAG Yearling Sale, the colt, named Protagonist (Ger), is out of the Camacho (GB) mare Passcode (GB), a half-sister to German champion two-year-old Pomellato (Ger) (Big Shuffle) and Italian St Leger winner Parivash (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}). Shane and Alex Power of Tradewinds may well be making a return trip to Baden-Baden come September as the other member of their Guineas consignment, a filly by Sottsass (Fr), also came from the BBAG sale. Sold as lot 182 for 75,000gns to Megan Nicholls, the daughter of Amerique (Ger) (American Post {GB}) was a €22,500 yearling. Coulsty Cracker for Correa Brothers Ilson and Anderson Correa, who trade under the name of Anderson Bloodstock, have been in the breeze-up business for just two seasons but experienced the kind of result all pinhookers dream of when turning a €3,000, s yearling into a 115,000gns breezer. “I'm very happy, what more can I say?” Said Anderson Correa, who moved from his native Brazil to Mullingar three years ago. “We will be reinvesting – each year we try and improve.” It is a second six-figure lot for the brothers, who sold a colt by King Of Change (Ire) at last year's sale for 120,000gns. The Coulsty filly, out of the five-time winner Pacolita (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) was bought by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. Golden Touch It was another good breeze-up sale for Eddie Linehan of Lackendarra Stables on the whole but his exploits with lot 185, a gorgeous filly by first-season sire Nando Parrado (GB), was deserving of high praise. Bought at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale for just £16,000, the Nando Parrado filly turned a tidy profit for the Cork-based handler when selling to Ross Doyle for 75,000gns. Linehan said, “Very happy with that. She's gone to a really good home in Richard Hannon and hopefully she can do very well for her new connections. She's as nice a filly as we've had in a while so hopefully she can show it on the track. It's a brilliant result.” From the same draft, Doyle and Hannon also bought lot 266. The first foal of the unraced Mandaza (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) had been picked up by Linehan at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale for £40,000. The family has received a boost of late as his third dam, the treble Group 1 winner Mandesha (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}), has an exciting Classic prospect in her final foal, Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), one of the favourites for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches on May 11. Talking Points By Brian Sheerin If you are not first, you're last, or so it can seem sometimes in this breeze-up game. Regardless of what people say, the clock does dictate plenty. However, there are lots of examples of horses who are not bred to blow up the clock and finish down the time sheet but still turn out to be pretty darn good on the racetrack, with Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) being the most obvious recent example. Perhaps lot 228 could be something similar. A Dark Angel (Ire) colt out of an unraced Golden Horn (GB) mare from a good Ballymacoll Stud family, he posted one of the slowest breezes on Wednesday, but bloodstock agent Richard Ryan knows the time of day and clearly spotted the potential in the fine, big colt who is surely going to benefit for time and a trip. He is understood to be going into training with George Boughey and will be given every chance to fulfil his potential in that stable. Sire-power has undoubtedly become an increasingly important factor for vendors to get paid, as we saw at the Craven and in Doncaster, where the majority of the big-ticket lots were dominated by the progeny of either Mehmas (Ire) or Havana Grey (GB). The results were more evenly spread here with nine different stallions featuring within the top ten lots sold. Shirley Anderson-Jolag made history in November by becoming the first female auctioneer at Tattersalls and her burgeoning career on the rostrum reached a new high on Thursday when she sold a Saxon Warrior (Jpn) filly for 80,000gns to Guillermo Arizkorreta, the Spanish champion trainer who enjoyed another Classic victory in Madrid on Sunday with Octans (Spa) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}). Anderson-Jolag has gone from strength-to-strength in a short space of time and it should only be a matter of time before she is selling horses north of six figures. The big question coming into this sale was just how well the middle market was going to hold up. The fact that 42 horses sold for 50,000gns or more, which is three more than went through the ring at this sale last year, would suggest that things are holding up at pretty much every level on the breeze-up circuit this season. This was another encouraging sale. Royal Ascot Contender Headlines HIT Session The horses-in-training section was headed by the 90-rated Veblen Good (Ire) (Starspangledbanner (Aus)}), who returned home to his own stable on Thursday evening after his trainer Karl Burke struck the winning bid at 110,000gns. Veblen Good carried Noel O'Callaghan's silks to victory at Wolverhampton back in October and chased home the highly-regarded Strong Warrior (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) last month. From a deep Mountarmstrong Stud family that goes back to Commonwealth Cup winner Anthem Alexander (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Veblen Good might well chart a similar path towards that Group 1 at the royal meeting. He was the only six-figure lot to go through the ring during the horses-in-training section, where many of the key figures dropped when set against last year's catalogue, which included a dispersal of John Dance's horses. The 1,442,700gns turnover was down 30% on last year's trade despite 24 more horses being offered while the median was down 60% to 8,750gns and the average by 46% to 16,776gns. The clearance rate was 91%, which was down by 3% on last year. The Chairman Reflects Commenting on the day's trade at the close of play, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The momentum from the recent, record-breaking Craven Breeze-up Sale has been well and truly carried into the Guineas Breeze-up and Horses-in-Training Sale, which has seen a record number of 50,000-guinea lots and a record-equalling median for the breeze-up section. Buyers continue to be drawn to a sale whose recent results include three individual Group/Grade 1 winners and 42 Group or Listed performers since 2022 – arguably making it the best value breeze-up sale in Europe. “We have welcomed a diverse and international group of buyers to Tattersalls – a hallmark of our sales at Park Paddocks. This follows promotional visits in recent months to America, Australia, Bahrain, Dubai, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Malaysia, Norway, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Sweden in conjunction with our extensive network of overseas representatives.” He added, “We now look forward to the Tattersalls July Sale, Europe's leading midsummer sale, which offers buyers an enticing mix of top-class horses in training and high-quality breeding stock on the eve of the July Festival at Newmarket Racecourse.” The post ‘Breeze-up Momentum’ Carried Through to Tattersalls Guineas Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Oaklawn will dramatically alter its 2025-2026 racing schedule, moving to more four-day weeks while greatly reducing its January footprint, after its request for 64 racing dates (Dec. 12-May 2), was unanimously approved by the Arkansas Racing Commission Thursday morning in Little Rock, the track said in a press release on Thursday. Oaklawn will open a week later and again close Kentucky Derby Day. The Hot Springs oval is scheduled to race nine days in December–Friday, Saturday and Sunday–before its first of 10 scheduled four-day race weeks (Jan. 1-4). Expanded race weeks are the result of the track returning Thursdays to its schedule. The racing calendar evolved into a mostly Friday-Sunday format after the track extended its season into May in 2019 and began opening in December in 2021. Under Arkansas law, Oaklawn is capped at 68 live racing dates each year. The new racing schedule was endorsed by the Arkansas division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. After racing Jan. 1-4, Oaklawn will be dark until Jan. 30, the last of six scheduled dates for the month. The track will then shift to mostly four-day race weeks (Thursday-Sunday) for the remainder of the season. The post January Mostly Dark As Oaklawn’s New ’25-’26 Schedule Approved appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Trainer Brendon Hill has no concerns about Arthur Shelby stepping up in grade at Addington tonight. Because he knows where the exciting pacer is heading. Arthur Shelby has won three of his four starts and was brave beating Trump Card in a R50-60 race at Addington last Friday. He moves into R58-69 grade in the Share The Dream With Woodlands Stud Mobile Pace (8.35pm) against the likes of Xlendi and Radha tonight but Hill says the son of Bettor’s Delight isn’t finished winning yet. “I am not saying he will win this week but he is definitely heading to a better grade than this,” he told HRNZ. “I have had horses like Dalton Bromac, who won 10 races, and I think this horse is in his class. “He may have to try something different this week as he has barrier 1 and while he won his maiden from that draw trying to lead all the way in this grade could be harder. “Whether he can do that I don’t know, or whether he even trails then re-takes.” That decision will ultimately lie with Hill’s 19-year-old son Seth, who has driven Arthur Shelby in all three of his wins and with 13 victories this season is already ahead of the total he won for the whole of last term. “Seth is driving really well and we are proud of him,” says Hill. “He has been a big part of this horse’s success with those wins earning him four ratings points instead of eight.” Even with the discounts Arthur Shelby, named after the character in Peaky Blinders, looks headed to the verge of open class so punters could do worse than take his $2.10 tonight. “He is getting better all the time. Last week I gave him his first serious heat training over a mile and he worked like a good horse.” Meanwhile, Hill says his stable star Renegade will contest the Superstars at Addington next Friday and he is working back from New Zealand Cup day with the big pacer. “We gave him his chances in those country cups races so he could tell us whether he is going to mature into a good standing start stayer in time for something like the Cup. “Hopefully in the spring we will know whether we have a Cup horse of a Free-For-All horse.” Tonight’s trotting feature is the TK Plastering About Now Handicap for the female trotters and after her easy last start win in Sires’ Stakes Aged Classic, Nellie Doyle has to be the one to beat. She downed Rowe Cup contender Mighty Logan that night and her improvement curve still appears to be on the up for trainer Tim Trathen. View the full article

Friday Night Lights will be stacked with Group racing at Alexandra park tonight, highlighted by the Rowe Cup and the Roy Purdon Memorial. Mighty Logan “can win” Rowe Cup By Michael Guerin The man who knows how to win Rowe Cups is starting to believe his next one might come sooner than expected – like at Alexandra Park just after 9.30pm tonight with Mighty Logan. John Dunn reined Sundees Son to win Auckland’s biggest trotting race in 2019 and 2021, only Covid canning the 2020 Cup costing him a likely treble. Tonight he returns to Alexandra Park with Mighty Logan, who is no Sundees Son just yet but probably won’t have to be. The heavily-backed trotter led and won the Anzac Cup last Friday when gifted a front line advantage over key rivals Oscar Bonavena and Muscle Mountain and he gets the same tonight as the big two fared poorly in the random draw. Add to that the potential fitness doubts over Bet N Win, who missed that lead-up race last Friday, and all of a sudden Mighty Logan becomes the horse to beat in the Rowe Cup. “It is getting to the stage where he has to have a good chance,” says Dunn. “He has the manners and if he settles handy that gives him a big advantage over Oscar and Muscle Mountain. “We all know how good Bet N Win is but he missed a race last week which isn’t easy when you are racing over 3200m so a lot has gone right for us that hasn’t for other horses.” Dunn says Mighty Logan always had the potential to be a Cup winner but his improvement coupled with others disadvantages means his time may come sooner than expected. Still, he is a nine-win horse up against some more proven stars so will need to produce the same level of performance as last Friday to complete the double. Either Oscar Bonavena or Muscle Mountain could win without surprising while Bet N Win is talented enough and could sit handy on the markers doing no work, the usual path to 3200m glory at Alexandra Park. Earlier in the night Dunn will partner Ya Rite Darl (R7, No.6) in the Woodlands Trotting Oaks against her own stablemate Frazzled and favourite Habibti Pat. Habibti Pat was the best of the three in the Derby last Friday but if Ya Rite Darl can use her gate speed to cross to the lead that will be a huge help. The stable also has a handy filly in Cool For Cats (R8, No.1) in the Delightful Lady Final and her tactics could be crucial as if she leads then Australian visitor Ripples could get the race-winning trail but if she doesn’t hold the lead it becomes advantage to Alecto. Good draw enhances We Walk By Faith’s chances in the Roy Purdon Memorial By Michael Guerin Don’t let We Walk By Faith’s lack of standing start form put you off taking the best odds in tonight’s $100,000 Roy Purdon Memorial at Alexandra Park tonight (8.55pm). Because dig a bit deeper and there is more to his one start, one miss record from behind the tapes as he goes into a race where standing start manners will be crucial. Tonight’s race, named in honour of the Godfather of New Zealand harness racing, is a 2200m stand but with four of the biggest names starting off 10m, which could prove extremely difficult if the front markers step and run hard. The toughest to catch would be We Walk By Faith, who came from near last to win the Taylor Mile two starts ago starting off level marks with tonight’s rivals so he is beautifully placed starting in barrier 1 on the front line. Whether that proves a gift or a curse will depend on if he can begin safely or quickly, and get a marker pegs run while others like Republican Party, Chase A Dream or stablemate Don’t Stop Dreaming have to come wide. “I think he can begin quickly,” says co-trainer Hayden Cullen, who with wife Amanda is in the best form of his career. “He has only had the one stand and I know he only finished fifth but he was off a 30m handicap by himself at Cambridge and once they began he had nothing to race so just mucked around. “He was safe but not fast and ended uo being last most of the way and never really got into it. “But it wasn’t his manners that cost him and being a good pacer I think he can use his draw this week so the stand doesn’t bother me.” On his Taylor Mile win and fourth as the only horse coming wide in last Friday’s Messenger, if We Walk By Faith leads or trails free-goers like Sooner The Bettor or Rakero Rocket, he will be the horse to beat. The Cullens also have the enigmatic Don’t Stop Dreaming in the race and while Hayden opts for We Walk By Faith as their better hope Don’t Stop Dreaming, like all those on the 10m mark, could win if the race gets turned on its head at the start. “He was good last week and didn’t have a hard run, which should suit him this time, and he can go close but of course that might depend how the race is run.” Republican Party looks the best placed of the pacers on the 10m mark as he is a great beginner and has been in wonderful form so he if can step quick enough to gain an advantage over some of the front markers, then the complexion of the race might change. That will also be the case for Mo’unga, although he is the horse who looks unluckiest to be back on the 10m mark while what Chase A Dream does tonight is anybody’s guess. On a night with so many big trot races the juvenile pacers have their autumn finals with Alecto (R8, No.2) looking to have a major advantage in the draws over unbeaten Australian filly Ripples (9), who beat her last Friday but raced erratically. In the boys’ final Fugitive (R6, No.6) looks the most advanced but Andretti (4) should be a big improver on last Friday. The Cullen team also have high class filly General Jen taking on the older horses in Race 2 and she prepares for the Sires’ Stakes Final next Friday. View the full article

2nd-Churchill Downs, $108,750, Msw, 5-1, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :52.59, ft, 1 3/4 lengths. MERCILESANIHILATOR (c, 2, Audible–Gadabout, by Bodemeister) looked in all sorts of trouble heading for home, but got his second wind in the final furlong to give this owner, trainer and jockey Jareth Loveberry their second straight success in as many days with a debuting 2-year-old beneath the Twin Spires. Sassy C W (Yaupon) became a new 'TDN Rising Star' in the fillies' equivalent exactly 24 hours prior. Sent off at odds just shy of 6-5, the April foal was hard-ridden and locked up early with chief market rival Moonlight Beauty (Hootenanny) and the two raced away from their rivals through a quarter in :22.22. The early exertions appeared to exact a toll, as Captain Gabe (Instagrand) and Distorted Song (Maclean's Music) were zeroing in three and four wide, respectively, as Moonlight Beauty began to retreat. Captain Gabe edged in front approaching the eighth pole, but Loveberry kept after the rail-skimming Mercilesanihilator and they re-rallied to score by 1 3/4 lengths. Blinging It Back (Volatile) raced far back to the stretch, but flashed home while racing greenly to just miss second money, then flew past the leading duo on the gallop out. A $40,000 acquisition as a short yearling at Keeneland January in 2024, the winner was hammered down to these connections for $330,000 at this year's OBS March Sale after breezing a furlong in :10 flat. Like Sassy C V, Mercilesanihilator was consigned to the sale by Jimbo and Torie Gladwell's Top Line Sales as agent. Tommy Wente's St. Simon Place acquired Gadabout, a half-sister to GIII Virginia Oaks winner Blind Date (Not For Love) and MSW Sales Tax (High Yield), for $82,000 in foal to McKinzie at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. The mare is also responsible for a yearling full-sister to Thursday's winner and she was most recently covered by Into Mischief's son Life Is Good. Sales history: $40,000 Ylg '24 KEEJAN; $330,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Patricia's Hope LLC; B-St Simon Place LLC & Brandon Stocks (KY); T-Larry Rivelli. #7 MERCILESANIHILATOR ($4.34) wins a lively Race 2 at Churchill Downs. @jareth16 up for Larry Rivelli on the juvenile son of @WinStarFarm Audible. pic.twitter.com/HyFh5ckMXQ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 1, 2025 The post Audible Colt Mercilesanihilator Fights Back Bravely To Debut a Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

VALENTINIAN (Into Mischief) marks his return following a third-place effort going 8 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland Apr. 9. A solid3 1/4-length victor in his career debut at Tampa Mar. 1, the $1.5 million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling graduate is reunited with Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who was also in two last time out. Todd Pletcher trains the son of GI Spinaway heroine Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini), herself a daughter of Classic winner and champion Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro). Also trying to bounce back from a last-out loss, Tiz Secure (Maximum Security) earned TDN Rising Star status when winning his debut by 4 3/4 lengths in a six-furlong text at Santa Anita Feb. 22 before having to settle for fourth going a mile in the grassy Pasadena Stakes at that venue Mar. 9. Trained by Bob Baffert, the son of MGISW Tough Tiz's Sis (Tiznow) gets blinkers on for this return to the main track. Baffert is also represented by fellow TDN Rising Star Goal Oriented (Not This Time), who took his career debut by 3 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita Apr. 6. A $425,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, the dark bay is out of MGSW Bizzy Caroline (Afleet Alex). Flavien Prat gets the call. Sorcerer's Silver (Good Magic) beat up on fellow Florida-breds in both prior starts, including the most recent a seven-length score sprinting at Gulfstream Mar. 27 and will face open company and a route of ground for the first time here. Irad ortiz Jr., aboard for both prior starts, returns on the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic graduate. The post Friday’s Insights: Into Mischief’s Son Out of Rachel’s Valentina Returns on Derby Undercard 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 Princess Attitude in Lexington. Frankel Filly Graduates At Keeneland Watts Humphrey, Jr.'s Princess Attitude (Frankel {GB}) ran out a one-length winner at Keeneland for trainer Victoria Oliver on April 24 (video). Making her fifth start, the filly was bred by Bryant H. Pursuit of Success III in Kentucky. Out of multiple graded winner and multiple Grade I-placed Keertana, herself by GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Johar, the filly was a $400,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Humphrey. A half-sister to GIII Palm Beach Stakes hero Ticonderoga (Tapit), Princess Attitude has a yearling half-sister by Into Mischief and a weanling half-brother by Charlatan. A $1 million Keeneland January graduate, Keertana is a half-sister to the similarly classy Snow Top Mountain (Najran), and the late GII Buena Vista Stakes heroine Diversy Harbor (Curlin), who was second in the GI American Oaks. Juddmonte's Frankel has now sired 34 winners from 68 U.S. runners (50%). A baker's dozen have won stakes, with four Grade I winners sprinkled among them, including Lake Victoria (Ire), who runs in the G1 Betfred 1000 Guineas on Sunday. (13) Princess Attitude victorious in the ninth at Keeneland! (5) Halstyn Rose checks in second and (11) Scarletta Carpetta gets third. pic.twitter.com/73AZJtXhOc — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 24, 2025 Kentucky Flavour To California Kentucky Gal (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) won at Santa Anita for trainer Phil D'Amato on April 27 (video). The 4-year-old filly is owned by CYBT, Anthony Gemignani, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano. The €8,500 buy-back at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale in 2022, the dark bay also did not meet her reserve when passing through that ring again for €10,000 during the Sapphire Sale later that year. She made six starts in Ireland, good for two wins, with the final victory for trainer Anthony Mullins in the colours of Olive Walsh last July. The first winner for her dam, the unraced Hold Me Now (Bernstein), Kentucky Gal has a 3-year-old half-brother by Camelot (GB). Hold Me Now is a half-sister to Grade II winner and three-time Grade/Group 1-placed sire Antonius Pius (Danzig), the duo out of G1 Yorkshire Oaks winner Catchascatchcan (GB) (Pursuit Of Love {GB}). Coolmore's Churchill is responsible for 10 winners from 22 runners (45%). His best in the States is GII Valley View Stakes heroine Poolside With Slim (Ire). Repeat Winners Jungle Peace (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) eked out a narrow win in the GIII Senorita Stakes at Santa Anita on April 27 (video). Trained by Phil D'Amato, the 3-year-old filly is owned by CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Jerry McClanahan, Michael Nentwig and Jeremy Peskoff. Newstead Stables' Laurelin (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}) captured the Memories Of Silver Stakes at Aqueduct on Sunday for trainer Graham Motion (video). She won her debut during the Belmont at the Big A meeting in October and currently holds an entry for the G1 Coronation Stakes during Royal Ascot. Cheyenne Stables' Ozara (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) added the Monroe Stakes to her ledger at Gulfstream Park on April 26 (video). The Christophe Clement trainee was winning for the fifth time in 10 starts. Kelsey Danner saddled Brindi (Ire) (No Nay Never), who won Woodbine's Star Shoot Stakes on April 26 (video). It was the first stakes victory for the Robert Evans runner. Rispoli Returns To Santa Anita And Guides Jungle Peace To Victory In Sunday's Grade III Senorita Stakes For 3-Year-Old Fillies Sprinting About 6 ½ Furlongs On The Hillside Turf Course pic.twitter.com/y6Galv6qnp — Santa Anita Park (@santaanitapark) April 28, 2025 The post Making Waves: Princess Reigns At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and Mohegan Sun have agreed on a multi-year partnership resulting in the return of Mohegan Sun as an official casino partner of Saratoga Race Course and the presenting sponsor of the GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, the track said via a release on Thursday. The Jim Dandy is a nine-furlong route for sophomores scheduled on Saturday, July 26. The race is the traditional local prep for the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes set for Aug. 23. In addition to their continued sponsorship of the Jim Dandy, the Mohegan Sun brand will be displayed prominently on-track during the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, the July 4th Racing Festival as well as throughout the 40-day summer meet. Mohegan Sun will also be featured within the FOX Sports show Saratoga Live. “While many casino and entertainment destinations no longer feature a Race Book, Mohegan Sun is proud to still have a dedicated venue of our own with the latest betting tech and top-notch guest service, “said GM of Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook & Race Book Brad Bryant. “That's a big reason why we're so grateful for our partnership with NYRA and to once again and to be a major sponsor for the upcoming $500,000 Jim Dandy presented by Mohegan Sun! Live horse racing consistently features excellent competition and were thrilled to be a part of Belmont at Saratoga June 7!” The post NYRA And Mohegan Sun Renew Deal Along With Jim Dandy Sponsorship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NBC Sports coverage of Kentucky Derby weekend will kick off Friday, at 1 p.m. with their Kentucky Oaks show on USA Network and Peacock. Saturday, the races on the early Derby Day card will also be televised on NBC and Peacock, starting at noon. At 2:30, coverage switches to NBC. The 2025 “Run for the Roses” marks NBC Sports' milestone 25th presentation of the Kentucky Derby –a show which has grown markedly since NBC's initial 90-minute broadcast in 2001. NBC Sports' Derby Day coverage features 10 races across 7.5 hours–five hours on NBC and Peacock on Saturday. Over the two days, NBC Sports will present 17 live races from Churchill Downs. Telemundo Deportes will present live coverage of the 151st Kentucky Derby, beginning Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET on Universo, and streaming on the Telemundo app. The on-air talent for the show includes Mike Tirico, Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Steve Kornacki, and Nick Luck. Donna Brothers returns as the only member of the team to cover all 25 of NBC's Kentucky Derbies. Features are planned on D. Wayne Lukas, Mike McCarthy, Martin Garcia, and Tirico will interview Bob Baffert, who is going for a record seventh Derby win. Eleven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles will give the iconic 'Riders Up' call for the Kentucky Derby. Click here for the complete schedule and more details. The post Kentucky Derby Day Highlighted by 7.5 Hours of Coverage on NBC, Peacock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article