Wandering Eyes

Churchill Downs Inc. announced Feb. 12 the grand opening of Owensboro Racing & Gaming, the company's seventh premier historical horse racing entertainment venue in Kentucky.View the full article

Things are starting to heat up on the trail to the GI Kentucky Oaks, and this weekend will feature the most important race run so far this year. The GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes at the Fair Grounds drew just six horses, but the race does not lack quality. Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) was undefeated last year in four starts and will be the favorite. But Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) and Simply Joking (Practical Joke) are not horses you can throw out. It will be a big test for Simply Joking, who has run only twice and has yet to contest a graded stakes race, but has looked very good in both starts. Since our last edition of the Kentucky Oaks Top 10, Bob Baffert solidified his group of 3-year-old fillies. He won the GIII Fasig-Tipton Las Virgenes S. with Tenma (Nyquist) and unleashed a dazzling debut winner in 'TDN Rising Star' Maysam (Game Winner). Here's a look at the second installment of our Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for 2025: 1) MUHIMMA (Munnings–Princesa Carolina, by Tapit) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Shadwell Stable; B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Sales history: $700,000 yrl '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0, $279,460. Last Start: Won Dec. 7 GII Demoiselle Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 10. Next Start: GIII Honeybee Stakes, OP, Feb. 22. Muhimma is getting close to making her 3-year-old debut as trainer Brad Cox has picked out the GIII Honeybee S. for her first race of 2025. The race will be run at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 22. She didn't debut until Sept. 22 last year, which is why she didn't run in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. But she wasted little time showing that she has a ton of quality, winning an allowance at Churchill and then the GII Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct. “She's doing really well,” Cox said. “She's a very good work horse. She's been good since day one and she's continued to be very good. We're hoping she can transfer her 2-year-old form over to her 3-year-old season. We're looking at the Honeybee at Oaklawn with her. I'm super happy with the way she's moving and breezing and if she returns to form she will be in good shape because she's a very good filly.” Cox has been getting her ready at Payson Park, where she's had five workouts this year. She worked five furlongs in 1:02 on Saturday. A good filly but the main thing standing in her way is her stablemate Good Cheer. Who's better? We shall soon find out. 2) GOOD CHEER (Medaglia d'Oro–Wedding Toast, by Street Sense) O/B-Godolphin (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-4-0-0, $457,630. Last Start: Won Nov. 30 GII Golden Rod Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points 20. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes, FG, Feb. 15. After his GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Immersive (Nyquist) came down with an injury that took her off the trail to the Kentucky Oaks, Cox didn't have to look far for reinforcements. It's not just Muhimma. Good Cheer looks like a potential star, as no one has come close to her in her four career starts. That includes a 17-length win in an allowance race at Churchill Downs. She will kick off her 2025 campaign Saturday in the Rachel Alexandra, a race that should show how well she has made the transition from two to three. “I really love how she's doing,” Cox said. Beyer-wise, she was very consistent last year, running three straight 86's. She'll probably need to improve a few points to win the Oaks, but there's nothing about her to suggest that she won't improve and make the all important transition from two to three. 3) TENMA (Nyquist–Amagansett, by Tapit) O-Baoma Corp.; B-B Flay Thoroughbreds (Ky); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $200,000 yrl '23 KEESEP; $850,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-3-0-1, $369,000. Last Start: Won Feb. 2 GIII Fasig-Tipton Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 13. Next Start: GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, Apr. 5. That Bob Baffert is so dominant in preps at Santa Anita for the Kentucky Oaks and the GI Kentucky Derby can make it hard to get a good read on his horses. His top 3-year-old filly Tenma made her sophomore debut on Feb. 2 in the GIII Fasig-Tipton Las Virgenes Stakes. The good news is that she dominated, winning by 6 1/2 lengths. The bad news is that there were only three horses in the race, two of which were trained by Baffert. He also had the runner-up Cipriani (Bernardini). It's impossible to prove anything in a race like that. That said, the 92 Beyer she earned puts her at the head of the pack and she's obviously consistent and talented. She's won four of five career starts, including three graded stakes. “She has been maturing,” Baffert said after the Las Virgenes. “Her worst race was in the Oak Leaf before the Breeders' Cup. I didn't feel like she was mature enough to run in the Breeders' Cup, but now she has come a long way.” 4) SIMPLY JOKING (Practical Joke–Imply, by E Dubai) O-Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner and Berkels0813; B-Barlar, LLC (PA); T-D. Whitworth Beckman. Sales history: $65,000 yrl '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MSW, 2-2-0-0, $153,000. Last Start: Won Jan. 18 Fasig-Tipton Silverbulletday Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes, FG, Feb. 15. For Simply Joking, the Rachel Alexandra should answer a lot of questions. She's two-for-two and has run in only stakes races. But she hasn't yet faced a top quality filly like Good Cheer. She drew the six post in the six-horse field. Even from the outside post, she's got the speed to control the early pace. Purchased for just $65,000 at Keeneland September, she's been a huge bargain. “She's been training very well since the Silverbulletday,” trainer Whit Beckman said. “There's a chance of storms Saturday, which could leave us with a wet track, which she's run well over before. I don't see the race setting up with much pace, so this race could look a lot like her last start, but, ultimately, we'll play the break and see how things develop. I'd prefer that we don't end up on the front end.” Simply Joking | Hodges Photography 5) TAKE CHARGE MILADY (Take Charge Indy–Price Too High, by Scat Daddy) O-James Ball, Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek) & Kenneth Rhodes; B-Merriebelle Stable, LLC (Ky); T-Kenneth McPeek. Sales history: $60,000 yrl '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-1-0, $259,594. Last Start: Won Jan. 25 Martha Washington Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GIII Honeybee S, OP, Feb. 22. Kenny McPeek sure can find a bargain. A year after he paid just $40,000 for Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling sale, he purchased Take Charge Milady for just $60,000 at Keeneland September. Is she the next Thorpedo Anna? That's too much to ask. But her 5 3/4-length win in the Martha Washington S. in her most recent start showed that she has the talent to compete with the best in the division. For her, the Honeybee should be a good test as she'll be facing a much better field than the one she met in the Martha Washington. 6) LA CARA (Street Sense–Cara Caterina, by Bernardini) O/B-Tracy Farmer (KY); T-Mark Casse. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-3-1-0, $378,520. Last Start: Won Feb. 8 Suncoast Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 33. Next Start: GII Fasig-Tipton Davona Dale Stakes, GP, Mar. 1. This Mark Casse-trained filly was flying under the radar entering her start last weekend in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. She won the GIII Pocahontas S. last year and then was trounced in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, finishing fifth, beaten 16 1/4 lengths. In the Suncoast, which was her first start this year, she proved that she's a lot better than what she showed in the Breeders' Cup. Sent off at 7-2, she went right to lead and drew off to win by 6 1/4 lengths. Casse said the GII Fasig-Tipton Davona Dale S. on Mar. 1 will be next, followed by the GI Ashland S. on April 4 at Keenland. “I'm planning to run her in the Davona Dale,” he said. “That's a little quick but it gives us five weeks to the Ashland.” After winning the Suncoast, she'll be stepping up in company in both the Davona Dale and the Ashland. Those will be big tests, but this filly might just surprise a lot of people.” 7) QUIETSIDE (Malibu Moon–Benner Island, by Speightstown) 'TDN Rising Star' O/B-Shortleaf Stable (Ky); T-John Ortiz. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 5-1-3-1, $312,200. Last Start: Second in Jan. 25 Martha Washington Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 18. Next Start: GIII Honeybee Stakes, OP, Feb. 22 or GII Fantasy Stakes, OP, Mar. 29. We're getting to the point where it's put up or shut up time for this daughter of Malibu Moon. She never runs a bad race, but hasn't won since breaking her maiden in her debut on Aug. 4 at Saratoga. Since then, she's had four starts, all of them in stakes, and during that run finished second three times and third once. She missed a work after breezing on Jan. 18, but trainer John Ortiz seems to have her on track, as she drilled five furlongs in 1:01 last Saturday at Oaklawn. Maybe she will improve off recent form or maybe she's no better than the fifth or sixth best filly in her division. 8) MAYSAM (Game Winner–Sefani, by American Pharoah) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Seclusive Farm LLC, Chester & Anne Prince (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $140,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $500,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,000. Last Start: Won Santa Anita MdSpWy Jan. 24. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: Sunland Park Oaks, Sun, Feb. 16. Maysam has run only once but it was some debut for the Bob Baffert-trained filly. She debuted on Jan. 24 and rolled to a six-length win in a maiden at Santa Anita. Baffert said she will run next in Sunday's Sunland Park Oaks. That may be an unusual route to the Oaks, but it has worked for Baffert before. In 2011, he won the Sunland race with Plum Pretty (Medaglia d'Oro), who galloped to a 25-length win. In her next start she won the Kentucky Oaks by a neck. Baffert has won the Sunland Park Oaks eight times. She's got a lot to prove, including whether or not she can go a distance and two turns. But this is not one you want to count out. Maysam | Benoit photo 9) LOOK FORWARD (Bolt d'Oro–Troublesome, by Into Mischief) O-Reddam Racing LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm LLC & Ballyfair Bloodstock (KY); T-Michael McCarthy. Sales history: $285,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP, $132,400. Last Start: Won Santa Ynez Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 15. Next Start: GIII Honeybee Stakes, OP, Feb. 22. The main question with Look Forward is whether or not she can handle the Oaks distance of nine furlongs. She's only run three times and won each time she sprinted. That includes a win in the Fasig-Tipton Santa Ynez S. In her lone try around two turns she put in a good effort when finishing second behind Tenma in the GII Starlet S. at Los Alamitos going a mile and a sixteenth. Maybe she didn't like the distance or maybe Tenma was just too good for her. “She continues to train with plenty of energy,” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “She seems to be in a groove at the moment. We're looking forward to seeing how she travels and handles the elements. It's a lot to ask of any horse when you ship, but she's always acted like she has plenty of quality.” 10) RUNNING AWAY (Gun Runner–Allez Marie, by Unbridled's Song) O/B-Stud TNT; T-Wesley Ward. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-1-1, $166,875. Last Start: Won the Jan. 18 Busanda Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GI Ashland Stakes, Kee, April 4. Underestimate Wesley Ward at your own peril. As good as he is and as many races as he has won, many probably don't believe his program is a good fit for the Kentucky Oaks. He specializes in sprinters and precocious horses and that's not Running Away. But give him the right kind of horse and there's no reason why he can't win an important two-turn stakes. In Running Away, he appears to have the right type of horse. By Gun Runner, Running Away has plenty of speed, but she's shown that she can carry that speed and win in longer races. She's never even run in a sprint race and in her last start she won the nine-furlong Busanda S. at Aqueduct. She may be a need-the-lead type horse. The Ashland will answer a lot of questions, mainly if she's good enough. The post The TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 For February 13 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

According to a posting on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) website, trainer Todd Pletcher has had a horse test positive for the banned substance betamethasone. The infraction occurred with the horse Vassimo (Nyquist), who tested positive after breaking his maiden on Dec. 14 at Gulfstream. He subsequently came back and won an allowance at Tampa Bay Downs and is entered to run in Saturday's GII Risen Star S. at Gulfstream. The positive will not affect his status for the Fair Grounds race. Betamethasone, a long-acting corticosteroid with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties, is the same substance that caused so many problems for trainer Bob Baffert. The Baffert-trained Medina Spirit (Protonico) tested positive for the substance after crossing the wire first in the 2021 GI Kentucky Derby. That was among the reasons Baffert was banned by Churchill Downs and was not permitted to enter horses in the Kentucky Derbies of 2022, 2023 and 2024. Churchill lifted the ban in July. Baffert said that the betamethasone used on Medina Spirt was merely an ointment to help heal a skin rash. If the betamethasone positive holds up, the penalty levied against Pletcher will likely be a light one. In November, 2023, trainer Marcus Vitali was fined $500 by HIWU for a betamethasone positive. “We have not been formally charged yet,” said attorney Drew Mollica, who is representing Pletcher. “We are going to consider our options but we deny any violation.” The post Pletcher Horse Tests Positive for Betamethasone 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. Thursday's Observations features a sister to Group 1 winner Sea Silk Road (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). 8.0 Chelmsford, Novice, £8,000, 3yo, f, 10f (AWT) MAGICAL TREASURE (IRE) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) debuts for Charlie Appleby in a fascinating contest and takes the eye as a full-sister to the G1 Prix de Royallieu heroine Sea Silk Road (Ire) who cost 575,000gns as a Tattersalls October Book 1 offering. She is joined by the yard's experienced fellow Godolphin representative Pearl Of Hope (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a half-sister to Shamardal's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Victor Ludorum (GB), while Ralph Beckett saddles the unraced Meon Valley homebred Likealot (GB) (Camelot {GB}), a half-sister to the smart group winner Checkandchallenge (GB) (Fast Company {Ire}) descending from the operation's top producer Bella Colora (GB) and foundation mare Reprocolor (GB). The post Sea The Stars Sister To Sea Silk Road Debuts At Chelmsford appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Good Cheer, one of three undefeated graded stakes-winning 3-year-old fillies from the Brad Cox barn, is set to make her season bow in the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds Race Course.View the full article

Fined $4,000 by the New York Gaming Commission over a rule regarding when a trainer can run a horse outside of New York after it has been claimed, trainer Gary Contessa was afforded a hearing Wednesday before a hearing officer assigned to the case by the commission. The hearing officer will now consider the facts that were presented Wednesday and make a recommendation to the Gaming Commission regarding whether or not the fine should be upheld. Contessa was charged after he ran a horse named Answer the Call (Dialed In) in a Sept. 25 claiming race at Delaware Park. He claimed the horse out of an Aug. 4 race at Saratoga and believed the filly was allowed to run outside of New York because more than 30 days had transpired since the claim. What he did not know was that the rule had recently been changed so that no claimed horse could run at any track but the NYRA tracks for 60 days. Contessa said that he checked the NYRA website to make sure he could ship the horse out of town when he did and that the website had not been updated and still listed the time a horse had to remain “in jail” as 30 days. “The hearing went 3 1/2 hours and it was an arduous task,” attorney Drew Mollica said. “We look forward to common sense carrying the day. Contessa followed what was on the NYRA website which directed him to the rules of the Gaming Commission. The rule had gone into effect just three weeks earlier but the website had not been updated. Nothing can be a more mitigating factor than that. There is no justification for this. The fine him $4,000 is just madness.” According to Mollica, trainer Amy Albright violated the same rule when shipping a horse she had claimed at Finger Lakes out of town without waiting out the 60-day period and was fined just $200. “We had a long hearing and not only does the penalty shock the conscience it shocks common sense,” Mollica said. “The hearing officer will make his finding of facts and conclusions of law and he will send them to the Gaming Commission and they will have a meeting and decide what to do. Anything can happen. We'll see.” The post Contessa States His Case Before Gaming Commission Hearing Officer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are six horse racing meetings set for Australia on Thursday, February 13. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Pakenham. Thursday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – February 13, 2025 Pakenham Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 13, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Haras D'Etreham boss Nicolas de Chambure said that he jumped at the opportunity to snap up a weanling foal by Australian super sire Extreme Choice (Aus) for €110,000 from JK Thoroughbreds at the Arqana February Mixed Sale on Wednesday. De Chambure, who spent time in Australia prior to taking the reins at Haras D'Etreham, revealed that he will be playing the long game with the sale-topper who it is hoped will one day join the broodmare band at the leading French stud. “I thought she was a filly we really needed to see on paper and I liked her physically so I said we'd give it a go,” a delighted de Chambure said on Wednesday evening. Extreme Choice stands for a whopping $275,000 at Newgate Stud in Australia. It is well-documented that the brilliant sire of Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside (Aus), Melbourne Cup hero Knight's Choice (Aus), multiple Group 1 winner She's Extreme (Aus) and much more has overcome issues with subfertility. Lot 115, who was offered by Irish native John Kilpatrick, very much represented something of a rarity at Arqana, with de Chambure revealing that the plan will be for the filly to be put into training in due course. He continued, “Extreme Choice is very well-managed at Newgate Stud and is getting roughly 50 or 60 mares in foal every year, which is pretty good for him. He is a very good stallion down there and I always like to buy different pedigrees and different bloodlines for the broodmare band later on. So she will be kept to race and hopefully she will be good enough to join the broodmare band down the road. “It was nice to have a filly like her available in France without having to go all the way to Australia to secure bloodlines like this. I thought it was a good opportunity to buy a filly like her and to diversify our bloodlines a little bit.” The Extreme Choice filly is out of a winning More Than Ready mare Grey Queen, who is a half-sister to Australian Group 1 performer Our Gold Hope (Aus) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Grey Queen is also a sister to a Group winner and from the family of Daylami (Ire), Dalakhani (Ire), Dolniya (Fr) and more. Commenting on the filly's physicality, he said, “I thought she had the strength of the Australian horses and plenty of substance. She has a bit of a sprinter's walk but has very good size and strength. Very happy with her physically and, knowing what the stallion can do in Australia, I thought the price was very fair. Really happy.” De Chambure added, “John Kilpatrick is an Irish guy who set up in France maybe 10 or 15 years ago now and he has a very good reputation here in France. He lives close to us so we do quite a bit with him. The filly was born with him and he has done a very good job with her.” The Extreme Choice filly was one of three lots to make six figures on a day when turnover reached €2,691,000–down €140,500 on last year's trade that saw 28 more horses offered. The clearance rate rested at 80% while the average was €11,960 and the median was €5,000. The post De Chambure Spies “Good Opportunity” To Land Extreme Choice Filly At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sabrina Nakasone, a senior and Leslie Batista, a junior, were selected for this year's class have been selected to join Santa Anita as interns through an ongoing partnership with California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), studying in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Equine Studies program. Both are majoring in Animal Science Pre-Veterinary with a minor in Equine Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. The internship program, which began last year, is designed to provide students with work experience in the Thoroughbred racing industry with a focus on veterinary best practices and racetrack operations. Each student will complete a minimum of 60 hours between now and the internships end on May 10. “We are excited to continue our partnership with Cal Poly Pomona, providing driven Equine Studies students an introduction to the Thoroughbred racing industry and best veterinary practices with Santa Anita's incredible team,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, Vice President of Industry Relations for 1/ST Racing. “These internships provide invaluable experience and insight for the next generation of professionals.” Nakasone will graduate this semester and Batista is on track to graduate in May 2026. Both plan to attend veterinary school after completing their undergraduate degrees. Cal Poly Pomona's Holly Greene, an equine lecturer in the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department, helped select this year's class. “As an educator, mentoring and guiding students is one of the greatest rewards,” Greene said. “Providing students with the internship at Santa Anita presents them with work experience and first-hand knowledge of the equine racing industry. What they learn during the internship will provide them with a stronger equine foundation for their future veterinary school goals.” To be selected, students are required to provide a statement of interest for the internship to Cal Poly Pomona's Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. Preferences is given to students majoring in the Animal Science/Pre-Vet option or Animal Health Science option. In addition, students with the intent of working in the equine veterinary medicine (DVM or RVT) are strongly desired. The post Santa Anita, Cal Poly Pomona Dept. of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Extend Partnership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Invincible Spirit (Ire) mare Red Maids (GB) topped the Tattersalls Online February Sale on Wednesday. The 5-year-old, sold as lot 134 from the draft of Mark Rimell Racing, went to JS Bloodstock/Moigne Combe Stud for 64,000gns. A winner on turf and the all-weather, the bay is a half-sister to stakes winner and multiple group-placed mare Duneflower (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Billy Jackson-Stops said, “She has been bought for new breeders, Moigne Combe Stud, who are well known on the polo scene. It's a family we can watch improve and, as an Invincible Spirit mare, she could work well with the Dubawi line which has produced the likes of [2000 Guineas winner] Notable Speech.” Next on the buyers' sheet was a breeding right in Ardad (Ire) (lot 127), which sold to Childwickbury Stud for 23,000gns. The sire of Perfect Power (Ire), the son of Kodiac (GB) won the G2 Flying Childers Stakes and Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. Goldie Racing offered Nathaniel (Ire) gelding Midnight Lion (GB) (lot 32), and Durcan Bloodstock shelled out 21,000gns for the five-time winner. His dam has also foaled G3 Park Express Stakes heroine Oh Goodness Me (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), as well as listed winner Eradicate (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who was placed in the G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron on the Flat and twice was a winner of the G3 Swinton Handicap Hurdle. From 126 lots offered, 49 lots (39%) sold for a gross of 343,800gns. The average was 7,016gns and the median was 3,600gns. The post Five-Time Winner Red Maids Leads The Way At Tattersalls Online February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 California-bred Horse of the Year will be announced at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting March 3 at Le Meridien Hotel in Arcadia, Calif.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. In this week's rulings, trainer Peter Miller has been suspended 15 days and fined $2,500 after his trainee Forgiving Spirit tested positive for Tramadol after finishing third at Del Mar Aug. 10 last year. The suspension began on Feb. 7. Tramadol is Class B controlled medication under HISA. It's used as a pain reliever. This was Miller's second resolved Class B controlled medication violation since the advent of HISA's anti-doping and medication control program. Miller has a prior Acepromazine case resolved in September of 2023. Acepromazine-a sedative widely used across U.S. backstretches-is a Class B controlled substance under HISA. Miller has a separate pending Acepromazine violation after his trainee Enjoy it Strait allegedly tested positive for the substance after finishing tenth at Del Mar on Nov. 9 last year. According to HISA's penalty program, because of the penalty points Miller has accumulated, he could be facing a maximum 120-day period of ineligibility and fine of $5,000 for that case. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 02/11/2025 Licensee: Donna Kutt, 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-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Bivol, who finished fifth at Tampa Bay on 12/29/24. Date: 02/11/2025 Licensee: Glenroy Brown, 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 Dexamethasone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Tammy's Toy, who won at Mahoning Valley on 12/23/24. Date: 02/07/2025 Licensee: Darlene Green, trainer Penalty: A written Reprimand; 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); imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Caffeine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Lookin at Justice, who finished sixth at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 10/10/24. Date: 02/06/2025 Licensee: Christine Hicklin, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500 per violation, for a total fine of $2,000; imposition of 1 Penalty Point per violation, for a total of 4 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: According to the case resolution, HIWU investigators found the following controlled medication substances-Equate ibuprofen tablets containing an unknown liquid, Acepromazine Maleate, Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim, and Regu-mate/Altrenogest-when they conducted a search of Hicklin's stable areas and vehicle at Prairie Meadows. The possession of these substances is in violation of state law, according to the resolution. Date: 02/06/2025 Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 7, 2025; 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 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Tramadol-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Forgiving Spirit, who finished third at Del Mar on 8/10/24. Violations of Crop Rule Mahoning Valley Roberto Perez – violation date Feb 6; $250 fine, no other info available Santa Anita Park Manuel Americano – violation date Feb 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension Welfin Orantes – violation date Feb 8; $500 fine, one-day suspension Sunland Park Miguel Fuentes – violation date Feb 6; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings – Feb. 6 -12 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (“HISA”) and its prohibited substance enforcement unit, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (“HIWU”), are to be commended for withdrawing the TCO2 charges against numerous trainers with respect to a rash of positives in Pennsylvania, which, by inference, they allege are caused by so-called “milkshaking.” “Milkshaking” is the practice of pumping baking soda into a horse's stomach, which is believed to prevent or slow lactic acid buildup in horses and allow them to run faster and for longer periods. The numerous positives coming out of the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory seemed to make little sense, as more and more Pennsylvania horsemen were being charged, yet very few positives for the same violation were found elsewhere, nor had there been a TCO2 violation in Pennsylvania for several years before the recent rash of alleged violations. While the problem with the Pennsylvania lab is apparently resolved, little attention has been given to the “elephant in the room”–the outrageously unfair rule that governs TCO2 testing. While virtually all equine drug testing has procedures in place for split sample testing after a positive test result, with the second sample going to a different lab, no such procedures exist for TCO2 testing. Under HISA rule 5430(l), TCO2 testing may be conducted not only post-race but also pre-race. Horsemen have to pay the cost of obtaining a so-called duplicate test. Horsemen may only request the duplicate sample prior to the taking of the official sample. This means horsemen cannot wait to ascertain whether the official sample yields a result higher than the permitted threshold or whether their horse won, hit the board, or earned a substantial purse before making the request. Not only do horsemen have to pay for a second sample before they know if it is necessary, the sample they are paying to obtain will not show whether the problem lies with the sample or with the lab conducting the testing because the duplicate sample is transmitted to the same lab as the official sample. While HISA may argue that this rule makes sense because of the degradation of a TCO2 sample within a few days and that TCO2 test results can take weeks to be received, the rule is simply unfair and, in my opinion will not withstand due process analysis. Why not change the rule to provide for two samples to be taken every time a sample is collected? Why not provide that horsemen pay for the second test only when there is a positive result? Why not provide that the duplicate sample be forwarded to different laboratories for analysis? Why not arrange for 48-hour test results? Another issue is that not all higher-than-permitted carbon dioxide results are caused by milkshaking. Lasix, medications, supplements, dehydration, illness, feed, the environment, the horse's physiology and other random factors may cause a high result. While TCO2 testing is necessary, the rule change is required to ensure the fairness that split-sample testing provides for the testing of other prohibited substances. Amendments to the rules should be undertaken in short order by HISA and the Federal Trade Commission before more honest and decent horsemen have their lives disrupted, get their names blasted over the internet being labeled as crooks, lose purse money, lose owners and incur unnecessary suspensions and counsel fees. –Richard J. Hackerman, P.C. is an attorney based in Baltimore, Maryland. The post Letter To The Editor: The Elephant In The Room, Total Carbon Dioxide Testing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Good Cheer, one of three undefeated graded stakes-winning 3-year-old fillies from the Brad Cox barn, is set to make her season bow in the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds.View the full article

It sometimes seems that not a weekend goes by where Brad Cox isn't making news and visiting the winner's circle somewhere after winning another important race. That was the case last weekend as Cox won the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs with John Hancock (Constitution). This coming weekend he'll send out one of his top threats for the GI Kentucky Oaks when the filly Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) makes her 2025 debut in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. at the Fair Grounds. To talk about past successes and what's ahead for his stable, Cox was this week's Gainesway Guest of the Week on the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland. Cox hasn't decided where John Hancock, who has made just two career starts, will run next, but he said he'll have just one more race before the Derby. “I think all the preps at the end of March and the beginning of April are in play,” he said. “Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida Derby, the Wood Memorial, all those races. He came out of the race in good order and I'm happy with what we saw from him the day after. I want to give the horse an opportunity to regroup a little bit and take one big swing at a 100-point race.” He also has the lightly raced Tappan Street (Into Mischief), who is coming off a second-place finish in the GIII Holy Bull S. “I think he's going to go next in the Florida Derby,” Cox said. “It's a race that offers 100 points to the winner. He picked up eight points in the Holy Bull, so we'll give him one big swing. Obviously this Derby trail, it's tough to go through the grind of it. It's not just about getting in the Derby. You want to have something left if you are able to get to the Derby. He's had two runs there at Gulfstream and will have one more run if all goes well. I hope that would propel him forward.” Good Cheer is undefeated in four starts, but the Rachel Alexandra will not be in easy spot. The competition includes GII Demoiselle S. runner-up Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) and Silverbulletday S. winner Simply Joking (Practical Joke). “I really love how she's doing,” Cox said. “I know it's typical trainer talk, but she is training well. We've had her down at Payson Park training her. She gets through that track very well. I think if you can get through that track and you're working well, galloping out well, you can normally take your show on the road. This is our first season there and we've had some success out of there. So I'm hoping she can show up as a three-year-old just like she did as a two-year-old. It's not a big field, but I think it's a very good group of three-year-old fillies. And a lot of people know that this path through New Orleans is a very good path toward having success in the Kentucky Oaks. So I'm excited about getting her started on Saturday.” In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, which is sponsored by WinStar, we went over the many reasons there are breed to WinStar stallion Independence Hall. The fastest horse of the week was Colloquial (Vekoma), who earned a 106 Beyer when winning a maiden race at Aqueduct. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association,https://pabred.com/https://www.kentuckybred.org/https://www.nyrabets.com/ West Point Thoroughbreds, the KTOB, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV, the team of Randy Moss, Zoe Cadman and Bill Finley dissected the ultra-impressive performance by Colloquial and discussed his future. Is he a Kentucky Derby horse or will he prove to be best suited to sprint races? The team also discussed the future of Tampa Bay Downs, which has now been included in the on-going decoupling efforts in Florida, and gave their picks for the upcoming GII Risen Star S. and the Rachel Alexandra. The post Brad Cox Joins The TDN Writer’s Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horseplay, an exhibit showcasing over 50 rare and antique board games focused on horseracing, will be displayed at the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket beginning on Apr. 4. The games are on loan to the NHM from a private collection, and the exhibition is thought to be the largest display of horseracing-themed board games ever opened to the public. The games on display range from a wooden box with a hand crank dating from 1880, to a madcap drinking game where nobody can visit the loo before a 'pee break' card is drawn. Others include antique playing cards, a board game endorsed by a Hollywood legend and another invented by a famous composer. Visitors follow a Grand National-themed racetrack through the exhibition, rolling a giant dice to proceed, and pausing at interactive stations named after the jumps at Aintree. Along the way, people can view antique and contemporary games, and have a go at playing on replicas. Tickets for the NHM are £15, with children under 16 free of charge. the NHM is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To buy tickets and find out more about the Horseplay exhibit, please visit the NHM website. The post Horseracing Board Game Exhibit To Begin At NHM In April appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte homebred Laurel River, co-winner of the 2024 Longines World's Best Racehorse award last month, will miss an intended start in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 22.View the full article

Keeneland will open ticket sales for its 2025 spring meet, to be held April 4-25, on Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. ET. A variety of ticket options for dining, grandstand reserved seating, and general admission will be available. View the full article

With an economic impact of more than $3.2 billion to the state, the importance of the Thoroughbred industry in Marion County, and Florida as a whole, cannot be overstated. Any action that threatens the viability of our racing and breeding operations is deeply troubling and unacceptable. Ocala Breeders' Sales Company, Inc. (OBS) is proud to be the leading seller of two-year-olds in training in the world and while the sales attract a broad group of domestic and international buyers, it is critical that OBS along with the Florida horsemen and breeders have a stable environment in our own backyard. OBS is a center of commerce for the Thoroughbred marketplace in Florida and often relied upon to generate income to help sustain training and breeding operations. Therefore, we have been steadfast in our opposition to decoupling. It is important to understand that the bill for decoupling is in the initial stages and has a long way to get to the finish line. Simply put, decoupling will allow a Thoroughbred racetrack to operate a stand-alone slot and card casino by removing the statutory requirement to conduct racing and fund purses and breeder awards for the horsemen that helped them qualify for the gaming license and supply the horses for the races. The push for decoupling by 1/ST Racing is disturbing, selfish and unfounded. 1/ST Racing should be applauded for their significant investment in racing, but it is counterintuitive that a company with “Racing” in their name would want to do anything that would harm racing in Florida and throughout the country. Make no mistake, if this bill passes, the impact WILL harm racing and will not be limited to Florida, the ripple effects will be nationwide, and the message will be deafening. It is our hope and belief that decoupling of Thoroughbred racing will not become a reality in Florida. The problem is that the existence of the bill itself has created obvious concern, uncertainties throughout the industry and has likely impacted breeding decisions. This is not an isolated Florida issue; it is a national issue and opposition to the bill includes leaders from throughout the country that actually compete with Florida in attracting horsemen and breeders to race and breed in their state. This bill creates a disincentive to race. The legislators have consistently and historically recognized the importance of Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Florida by creating a statutory framework that protects and promotes the Thoroughbred industry. The current effort to pass decoupling is ill founded and will favor one company while inflicting wide reaching damage to a signature industry of Florida and more importantly the livelihood of the thousands of people that rely upon the stability of the Thoroughbred industry. In 2021, the legislators once again recognized the profound impact of the Thoroughbred industry to the state and specifically excluded Thoroughbred racing from being decoupled and retained other protective measures to maintain racing days. In fact, when slot machines were initially approved in 2005, statutory language for Thoroughbred permitholders were unique compared to the other pari-mutuel permitholders. Since day one with the support of horsemen, breeders, and the Thoroughbred tracks (including Gulfstream Park and Calder), there has been a statutory requirement for an agreement for purses and breeders' awards to be in place before a slot license could be issued to a Thoroughbred permitholder. Since the inception of slots, Jai Alai, Greyhound, and Standardbred permitholders have never been required to share slots revenue or have an agreement with the underlying participants. The requirements for Quarter Horse permitholders were ineffective due to loopholes in the statute. Owners, breeders, trainers, and all horsemen have options when considering where to race and breed. Hence, it is vital that Florida continues to support Thoroughbred racing and breeding and not force businesses and jobs to flee Florida to more welcoming states. Having a vibrant horse industry in Florida that is competitive with other states protects an established, signature industry that not only provides a tremendous economic impact but promotes and preserves greenspace. While it is certainly the prerogative of the owners of Gulfstream Park to walk away from racing and develop or sell their property, they do not and should not have the right to walk away with parting gifts of standalone slots and cards from the backs of the horsemen and breeders that are their partners and were critical in obtaining these privileges. Decoupling will send the wrong message. Now is the time to do the right thing; step up, withdraw the bill as well as the notion of decoupling before it creates any more damage. The post OBS Open Letter To The Industry On Florida Decoupling Legislation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of two dozen point-to-pointers have been catalogued for the Feb. 21 Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale, which begins at 1 p.m. It is the first sale of 4-year-old point-to-pointers of the year and features a quartet of debut winners. Hitintheheadlines (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) won by 14 lengths at Tallow, while Taurus Bay (Ire) (Poet's Word {Ire}) landed a Comea point-to-point. Kanzler (Fr) (Tai Chi {Ger}) scored at Kirkistown by seven lengths, and the final debut winner is Lion Rose Sivola (Fr) (Victory Song {Ire}). To view the catalogue, or to make an entry, please visit the Tattersalls Cheltenham website. The post Initial Entries Released For Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

I read with interest and a certain amount of confusion, Sue Finley's TDN article about the woes of Kentucky stallion studs. On the one hand, everyone is agreed that it is difficult to fill stallion books, and on the other, the idea of any book being full has long been consigned to the history books. When I worked at Ashford in the mid-90s, Woodman topped the active sires list ('96 or '97) and the size of his book caused scandalized conversation in some quarters. One breeder even told me it was impossible to cover so many mares and that we simply had to be cheating and using AI (no, the other one). I politely replied that were simply using hard work and long hours. The 148-odd mares he covered that season seems positively quaint by today's standards! To read this morning that Hard Spun is considered a failure at 95 bookings (so far) is shocking and of course a result of unlimited books and the over-commercialization of breeding. Which, according to the article, everyone now, finally, admits is a problem. And yet, nobody seems to want to look at the obvious fix and hit the necessary reset to bring it about. If ever there was a moment to limit stallion book numbers, it is surely now? Ideally, there would be one limit for proven sires and an even lower one for the unproven. We all seem to have forgotten that good sires tend to make it regardless of their book sizes! With book limits in place, the resulting trickledown effect would see capable underused sires getting their fair share. Book limits would also force many people in breeding solely for commercial reasons to re-evaluate their reasons for being in the game and either change their priorities or stop breeding. This process might be a painful one for some, but it would lead to a change in mentality, an end to the current tail-wags-dog situation with regard to sales/commercial value and racing spectacle, and most importantly, it would end the current fashion for calling horses a product (several times in this article alone) and treating them as financial commodities. If we were able to do all that, then we wouldn't need slick marketing to gloss over problems and convince the general public to go racing or new fans to become owner/breeders because the public would feel and see the change and thus regard horse racing once more as the sport of kings. Here's hoping meaningful change will one day happen for the sake of our wonderful sport. All the best, Eric Eric Ward grew up in Ireland and spent nearly 30 years in stud farming all over the world including a decade with Coolmore. He managed studs in Ireland, China and Turkey. Now based in Gaillac, France he assists his winemaker wife, writes novels and is also a volunteer fire-fighter/first responder. The post Letter To the Editor: Here’s Hoping For Meaningful Change appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland will open ticket sales for its 2025 Spring Meet, to be held Apr. 4-25, on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. ET, according to a press release from the track on Wednesday. A variety of options for Dining, Grandstand reserved seating and General Admission will be available. All tickets must be purchased in advance via Keeneland's Official Online Ticket Office. The 15-day Spring Meet features racing Wednesdays through Sundays with a daily first post of 1 p.m. ET, except closing day, Friday, Apr. 25, when the first race is 12:30 p.m. ET. There will be no racing on Sunday, Apr. 20, in observance of the Easter holiday. Ticket pricing for General Admission and Grandstand reserved seating for the Spring Meet are: General Admission: Wednesday/Thursday tickets are $7; Friday/Saturday/Sunday tickets are $10; opening Saturday tickets are $15. Children 12 and under are free. General Admission Spring Meet Season Passes: $50. Passes are pre-sold until April 3. Grandstand Reserved Seats: Wednesday/Thursday seats are $15; Friday/Saturday/Sunday seats are $25; opening Saturday seats are $30. Price includes General Admission. The post Keeneland Tickets For Spring Meet On Sale Feb. 18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer gets the chocolates with Daily Trophy, Charming Steed and Capital Delight at Sha Tin on Wednesday night.View the full article

Reigning Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat won the Sam F. Davis Stakes aboard John Hancock Feb. 8, then flew to Santa Anita Park Feb. 9 where he won the Sweet Life Stakes aboard Casalu.View the full article

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has canceled live racing Feb. 12 due to the winter storm that impacted the area Feb. 11 into the early morning hours Wednesday.View the full article