Wandering Eyes

Jimmysstar ridden by Ethan Brown winning the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Last-start Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) hero Jimmysstar will be a fresh horse when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley, a strategy that the Ciaron Maher stable believes is crucial. Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the tactic worked perfectly when Jimmysstar flew home to win the Group 1 1100-metre race at Caulfield on February 22 after a three-month break. He believes the month-long gap between the Oakleigh Plate and the William Reid is an ideal time frame to prepare for his first weight-for-age Group 1. “We’ve kept him fresh, and we’ll keep him to shorter trips,” Turnbull told Racing.com. “If you keep him fresh in high-intensity sprint races, he can sit off them and make a long-sustained run, which he did the other day. “He’s got a bit of stamina, but he’s quick.” This will also be Jimmysstar’s first run at The Valley, and he will get to familiarise himself with the track on Tuesday morning. Prior to nominations closing, the five-year-old was rated the clear $3.50 favourite with horse racing betting sites to give Maher a second win in the William Reid Stakes, having previously won the race with Loving Gaby in 2020. “He’s come back how he ran last spring and stayed to that rating,” Turnbull added. “If he was to win, we would consider the T.J. Smith for his next start.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 winner, Veight. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Group 1-winning sprinter Veight is gearing up for feature Queensland sprints, confirmed co-trainer Tony McEvoy. The now-gelded four-year-old, last year’s George Ryder Stakes winner, hasn’t raced since finishing down the track in November’s $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m). Following his spring campaign, connections opted to geld him. McEvoy, training in partnership with his son Calvin, expressed satisfaction with Veight’s progress towards a winter carnival campaign. “He’s had a good spell and he’s come back really well,” McEvoy told Racing.com. “I’m very pleased with him. He seems to be enjoying himself so I’m very happy at this stage. “We’re taking him to Brisbane. There’s some ripper races up there for him.” Key targets for the $2 million earner include the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Meanwhile, McEvoy also confirmed Arabian Summer is set for Sydney’s The Galaxy (1100m) after a promising fifth place in the Oakleigh Plate. “She’s very well,” McEvoy said of the three-year-old. “She ran amazing in the Oakleigh Plate, just on the ground that was too firm for her, so I’m hoping there’s a bit of rain around in Sydney.” Jamie Melham, who rode Arabian Summer in the Oakleigh Plate, will keep the mount in The Galaxy. Horse racing news View the full article

Dan Piazza, a financial advisor from Chicago, won the 26th NTRA National Horseplayers Championship at the Horseshoe Las Vegas held from March 14-16, and took home $825,000, an Eclipse Award as 2025 Horseplayer of the Year and earned a return trip to next year's NHC, according to a press release late Sunday from the NTRA. Sticking to his strategy throughout the contest, Piazza prevailed by amassing a mythical bankroll of $356.52. “I didn't try to do anything different and didn't get me out of my comfort zone,” he said. “That strategy put me up Friday and on Saturday; it was the same thing Sunday.” The 2025 NHC began Friday morning with 800 entries from 623 players, and was reduced to 80 entries after Saturday. Bankrolls amassed during Day 1, Day 2, and the Semifinals rolled over to the Final Table, with the 10 finalists settling the NHC score in seven “mandatory” assigned races. “Thank you to all the incredible participants at this week's National Horseplayer Championship,” said Tom Rooney, NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer. “Their passion, skill, and dedication to our sport is truly inspiring. This event serves as a reminder of the vital role that horseplayers play in supporting the racing industry year-round.” The official top 10 finishers at the 2024 NHC and prize money won are: Dan Piazza, $825,000 (score, $356.52) Tom Boyd, $250,000 ($342.22) Ray Hassan, $200,000 ($328.36) Dean Malizia,$150,000 ($311.40) Dylan Donnelly, $125,000 ($298.86) Len Hanson, $90,000 ($292.24) Greg Bone, $85,000 ($289.88) Peter Dresens, $80,000 ($289.50) Alex DeVito, $75,000 ($275.28) Sean Nolan, $65,000 ($273.56) The 2025 NHC featured cash and travel awards totaling $4.878,415 million. The tournament results can be at NTRA.com. “I only missed one mandatory race.” The @NTRA #NHC2025 Champion is Dan Piazza! He spoke with @IceColdExacta about how he did it which includes the @Equibase Race Lens. pic.twitter.com/Dwanajhvdj — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 16, 2025 The post Chicago Native Dan Piazza Wins NTRA National Horseplayers Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rider Penalties N Yuen | Ashburton 13 March; use of whip; suspended 23-30 March inclusive. K Chowdhoory | Wanganui 15 March; careless riding; suspended 24 March – 4 April inclusive. N Hailey | Wanganui 15 March; medical clearance required. A Najib | Beaumont 16 March; failed to weight in; suspended 23 March – 5 April inclusive. Trainer Penalties L Robinson | Ashburton 13 March; incorrect gear; fined $50. T Rae | Ashburton 13 March; incorrect gear; fined $150. Horse Penalties ETIENNE | South Waikato 12 March; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. RETRO | South Waikato 12 March; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. PARKER BONNIE | Ashburton 13 March; indifferent in action; veterinary clearance required. BENGAL | Ashburton 13 March; late scratching after becoming fractious in barrier; must complete trial. LADY LIZZO | Tauranga 15 March; abnormal breathing noises; veterinary clearance including dynamic scope required. BUTTERFIELD | Tauranga 15 March; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. MARANELLO | Wanganui 15 March; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. WISH ME WELL | Wanganui 15 March; epistaxis; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. ILLUSION OF PARIS | Wanganui 15 March; late scratching after becoming fractious in barrier; must complete trial. TUESDAY | Wanganui 15 March; late scratching after becoming fractious in barrier; must complete trial. TOWN BELT | Beaumont 16 March; lame; veterinary clearance required. MAGNASTAR | Beaumont 16 March; lame; veterinary clearance required. CORTE XENA | Beaumont 16 March; laceration to knee; veterinary clearance required. AQUA MAN | Beaumont 16 March; late scratching when found to be lame; veterinarian clearance required. AMIINIT | Beaumont 16 March; late scratching with abrasions to a leg; veterinary clearance required. Protest RED MOON RISING | Beaumont 16 March; rider failed to weigh in; disqualified from 4th. The post 10-16 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Seven weeks in advance of the Kentucky Derby, Journalism, powerful winner of the San Felipe Stakes, closed as the 5-1 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager with Fountain of Youth winner Sovereignty the 7-1 second betting choice. View the full article

Race 3 ASHBURTON U-HIRE MAIDEN 1200m LIVE AND LEARN (A Balloo) – Trainer Mr. B Sarginson advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, LIVE AND LEARN has now been retired. The post Ashburton Racing Club @ Ashburton, Thursday 13 March 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Haunui Farm’s strong run of form has continued with Grande Gallo their latest graduate to stamp her credentials as a stakes winner in waiting. High-class three-year-old Linebacker has led the recent charge with the son of Super Seth claiming top honours in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m). Bred by GSA Bloodstock, he was purchased out of Haunui’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $160,000 by co-trainer John O’Shea and Suman Hedge Bloodstock. The Karaka nursery also co-bred and races the last-start Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m) winner Francee, a daughter of Iffraaj in Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable. And now, homebred Grande Gallo has continued the Haunui roll with a successful open class debut at Tauranga on Saturday. The powerful four-year-old by Belardo owns the tidy record of five wins from 12 starts for the Wexford Stables training combination of Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. “Medrano was a lovely, big mare and a good type and that’s what Grande Gallo was, a very strong yearling,” Haunui Managing Director Mark Chitty said. “She made $85,000 during the second session at Karaka and for a filly to make that, she had to be a pretty good type.” The Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m) on June 21 now looms as a potential target race for Grande Gallo. “She’s proving to be a more than handy mare who loves Tauranga (three wins) so it would be nice to see her get some black type,” Chitty said. “She’s from our foundation family and Wexford have placed her really well. “She goes back to Foxona, a Foxbridge mare my grandparents purchased back in the 1950s off Trelawney.” Grande Gallo is out of the General Nediym mare Medrano, whose half-sister Dopff won eight races including the Gr.2 Bluebird Foods Trophy (1600m). They represent a celebrated family of Group winners including Valpolicella and her offspring Vavasour, Catalonia-Vilanova and Celebrity Dream, Zourion, Pearl Of Alsace, Positivity, Pussy Willow and Saracino. “We sold On The Rise (Medrano’s dam) and then we bought Medrano back (for $25,000 at a Karaka May Sale),” Chitty said. “We had partners in her and then we later bought them out.” She produced six winners and among them Grande Gallo’s sister Fonsalette who was a multiple Group-placed two-year-old. Medrano has since been sold but Haunui are continuing to breed from her winning Commands daughter St Gallen. “The family continues to produce nice horses, which is all you can hope for, and St Gallen is in foal to Almanzor and we sold her Ribchester filly ($25,000) to Ian Middleton’s Exempt Bloodstock this year,” Chitty said. Exempt are also part-owners of U S Navy Flag filly War Princess who maintained her unbeaten record with victory at Wanganui on Saturday to set the Peter Didham-trained youngster on a path to the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). View the full article

Just over a decade after Colonial Downs was shuttered, the track, which re-opened for Thoroughbred racing in 2019, enjoyed arguably its finest day March 15. View the full article

As impressive as Book'em Danno's seasonal debut was March 14, and as eager as his connections are to prove his talent on a world stage, the $1-million Godolphin Mile on April 5 in Dubai has been ruled out for his next start.View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Monday, March 17. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for March 17, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply, Only for eligible customers. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo COPYCASH. GET COPIED. GET PAID – Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets Earn $0.10 per unique Copy Bet. Max $1000 per week. Copy Cash is real money into your account. Dabble T&Cs apply. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo 10 AGAIN! – Beaudesert Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Max bonus $100. First bet only. Paid in bonus cash. Cash Bets Only. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility. T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for March 17, 2025. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

On Sunday at Gulfstream Park, White Abarrio (Race Day) drilled five panels for trainer Saffie Joseph in 1:00.20, ranking third of 20 horses. The four-time Grade I-winning millionaire, who captured the Jan. 25 Pegasus World Cup last out, is being pointed to the GIII Ghostzapper Stakes on the Florida Derby undercard. “He went well,” Joseph said. “He sat off his workmate and went on strong in his gallop out. It was a good work, so he's going to the Ghostzapper in good order.” Also making the rounds for the Florida-based conditioner was the third-place finisher from the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, Neoequos (Neolithic). The Florida Derby hopeful went five furlongs in :58.90 seconds, which was the fastest of 20 horses at the distance. Over his home track in Hallandale, the colt has a pair of wins, two seconds and a third in six starts. Last fall he was runner-up in two legs of the Florida Sire Series for 2-year-olds. “He worked good,” said Joseph. “He worked in company, he took some dirt early and finished up well. He beat his workmate pretty handily. All things being well he's going to run in the Florida Derby.” The post Joseph Barn Drillers Include White Abarrio And Florida Derby Hopeful Neoequos appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's canceled card will be moved in its entirety to March 18. First post at 12:45 pm CT. The season will end with a six-day racing week, culminating with the Louisiana Derby Day card March 22 and closing day March 23.View the full article

Just over a decade after Colonial Downs was shuttered, the track—which re-opened for Thoroughbred racing in 2019—enjoyed arguably its finest day March 15. View the full article

San Felipe (G2) winner Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, was clocked working four furlongs in :48 1/5 March 16. He is targeting the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on April 5.View the full article

Quietside's time was the fastest of 26 published at the distance, with clockers catching her galloping out six furlongs in 1:12 and seven furlongs in 1:26 4/5. The track was rated fast.View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Quietside (Malibu Moon) put in her last major workout for the GII Fantasy Stakes, covering five furlongs in :59.60 Sunday morning at Oaklawn under Ramon Vazquez. The 'Rising Star's' time was the fastest of 26 published at the distance, with clockers catching her galloping out six furlongs in 1:12 and seven furlongs in 1:26.80. The track was rated fast. “It was a strong five-eighths,” said trainer John Ortiz. “We'll come back next week and give her a maintenance [half-mile]. She did it really well today.” Entries will be accepted and post positions drawn Mar. 23 for the Fantasy, which anchors the Arkansas Derby card at Oaklawn Mar. 29 and is the final major prep at the track for the GI Kentucky Oaks. Future Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) swept both races in 2024. The Fantasy will offer 200 total points–100-50-25-15-10, respectively–to the top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the Oaks. Quietside tops the 'Lilies' leaderboard with 68 points. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Quietside Continues Work For Fantasy At Oaklawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sand Devil had his first work back since a runner-up effort in the Gotham Stakes (G3) March 1, covering a half-mile in :49 flat in company March 15 over the Belmont Park dirt training track. View the full article

Last year's Champion 3-year-old male and 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) will return to Fair Grounds to make his 4-year-old bow in the 100th running of the GII New Orleans Classic on Saturday. Tabbed as the 7-5 morning line favorite, Sierra Leone will face nine other opponents including the highly-regarded winner of the GIII Mineshaft Stakes at Fair Grounds Feb. 15, Hall of Fame (Gun Runner). As reported by TDN's Senior Contributing Editor Alan Carasso, Sierra Leone's trainer Chad Brown had made plans for the colt to make his 4-year-old debut in the G1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh back Feb. 22. However, an abscess on the champion's coronet band forced the trainer to cancel a key workout. The GII Oaklawn Handicap was a potential target, but the pivot to New Orleans–where the colt won the GII Risen Star Stakes just over a year ago–materialized as the latest move. In the New Orleans Classic, the $2.3-million topper from the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale will once again be guided by fellow Eclipse winner Flavien Prat and will break from post seven. Never out of the money in eight graded stakes tries and with earnings in excess of $6 million, Sierra Leone is co-owned by Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook Smith. During his stellar 3-year-old season, the colt took home the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes ahead of his second place run in GI Kentucky Derby. Sierra Leone's top accomplishment on his way to being named last year's Eclipse champion came when the dark bay won the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. The post Champion Sierra Leone Set To Make 4-Year-Old Start In GII New Orleans Classic On Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are two horse racing meetings set for Australia on Monday, March 17. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Taree. Monday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 17, 2025 Taree 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 March 17, 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. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 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. Recommended! 4 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. 5 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. 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

Just over a decade after Colonial Downs was shuttered, the track—which re-opened for thoroughbred racing in 2019—enjoyed arguably its finest day March 15. View the full article

Lady Shenandoah cemented her status as Australia's best filly when she secured her third group 1 triumph with a victory in the Coolmore Classic (G1) March 15 at Rosehill.View the full article

San Felipe (G2) winner Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, was clocked working four furlongs in :48 2/5 March 16. He is targeting the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on April 5.View the full article

5th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 3-16, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:11.00, ft, neck. DRY POWDER (f, 3, Gun Runner–Tell All, by Broken Vow) came into this debut with a sparkling price tag and a three-strong string of bullet works at Palm Meadows. Showing the way under pressure through :22.52 and a half in :45.75, she locked horns with Practical Lov (Practical Joke) as they swung into the lane and briefly lost the advantage as they got to mid-stretch. Battling back gamely, Dry Powder would not be denied and she came back on the rail to beat that challenger in a photo. Dry Powder is the most recent to the races for Tell All and the dam's second winner. She has a juvenile filly by Candy Ride (Arg) in the wings as her last registered offspring and is due to the late Uncle Mo this year. Tell All is a half-sister to MGSW Overheard (Macho Uno), the most accomplished of all her siblings, and they hail from the immediate female family of GISW Confessional (Holy Bull). Sales history: $525,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Gold Square LLC; B-Corser Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Chad Summers. DRY POWDER ($6.60) was game as can be down the lane! She breaks her maiden on debut in the 5th at @GulfstreamPark under @LPanici. @horsesummers trains the 3-year-old Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) filly for owner @goldsquare88. Play the late Pick 5: https://t.co/RNKSWDl51a pic.twitter.com/wh4kG6hnVf — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 16, 2025 The post Gun Runner’s Dry Powder Ultra Game in Gulfstream Unveiling appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

That the figures recently released by the Jockey Club from its Equine Injury Database showed another significant drop in the number of fatalities was good news, but hardly surprising news. The numbers seem to get better every year. But dig deeper into the data presented by the Jockey Club and there is a number that is quite surprising and encouraging. In 2024, dirt tracks were almost as safe as synthetic tracks. There were 1.18 fatalities per 1,000 starts on the dirt, which came very close to the number in the same category for synthetic tracks, which was 1.02. Compare that to ten years earlier, when the number for dirt was 2.02 per 1,000 starts and 1.20 on synthetic surfaces. Ever since, the gap has been narrowing. The Southern California dirt tracks, once considered among the most dangerous surfaces in the sport, are leading the way. On the dirt, Santa Anita had just one fatality from 2,579 starts. In 2019–a dark period in Santa Anita's history when the equine safety issue became front page news–the number was 13. At Del Mar in 2024, there was also just one fatality on the dirt from 1,709 starts. According to Dr. Michael “Mick” Peterson, executive director of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (RSTL) and professor of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky, the reason why dirt is getting so much safer is simple–tracks around the country have made huge strides forward in recent years to make their dirt surfaces more consistent and more comparable to one another. “You've got to give HISA credit for this because everybody's on the same page. It's just that simple,” said Peterson. ” Since HISA went into effect in July of 2022, the RSTL has been responsible for overseeing pre-meet inspections, material testing and daily measurements at all racetracks under HISA's jurisdiction. Dr. Mick Peterson | Horsephotos “At our pre-meet inspections, Branden [Brookfield, the RSTL on-site testing manager] will sit down with the tracks, he'll talk to them about the things he's seeing. [If there's a problem], nine times out of ten they'll say, 'oh yeah, I know.' And they'll fix it,” said Peterson. As track operators face an increasingly unpredictable environment thanks to climate change, the question of consistency and variability from one dirt track to another is proving an increasingly important one. Data was presented during last year's Jockey Club Welfare and Safety Summit breaking dirt surfaces into four climate groups. Dirt tracks in hot dry climates had an average 1.31 fatality rate per 1,000 starts, making them the safest. The dirt surfaces in climates with hot summers and cold, freezing winters had the worst equine fatality rates (1.53 fatalities per 1,000 starts). Which is why the RSTL's centralized electronic database through which information is shared among tracks and with HISA has been so vital. “When you talk to Parx they can look at Delaware. When you talk to Delaware they can look at Laurel. We're completely transparent with them. And if they've got any questions they call. At the end of the day, all the horses shipping back and forth are seeing more consistent surfaces,” said Peterson. “All the barriers are gone and it's working,” Peterson added. Virginia-Maryland Circuit An Example For Others to Follow In a rare show of cooperation in a sport where everyone seems to be looking out for No.1, the new Maryland Jockey Club and Colonial Downs have formed a circuit. When Laurel or Pimlico is running, Colonial will be dark. When Colonial races, the Maryland tracks will not. It's a good idea, but it's apparently going to need time to catch on. Colonial ran a special three-day meet over last weekend, with the feature attractions being the Virginia Derby and the Virginia Oaks. Both races were previously held in the late summer and were run on the grass. They moved to the dirt and were run Saturday, making them races with qualifying points for the GI Kentucky Derby and the GI Kentucky Oaks. With no other prep races being run for the Derby over the weekend, the Virginia Derby filled a void. The fans clearly bought into the concept. Colonial is a small facility, so they put a limit on the attendance at 8,000. Last Wednesday they announced that the day was sold out. American Promise punches his ticket to the Derby | Coady Media Both races delivered. Making just her second career start, Fondly (Upstart) proved she's a legitimate contender for the Kentucky Oaks with a half-length win in the Virginia Oaks. In the Virginia Derby, Wayne Lukas did what he so often does, winning big races with a longshot who doesn't look like they can win on paper. After running fifth, beaten 13 lengths in the GII Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, the Lukas-trained American Promise (Justify) demolished the competition, winning by 7 3/4 lengths. In doing so, he punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby. The downside of the meet was that there were too many small fields. Over three days they ran 26 races, which attracted 152 starters. That's an average field size of 5.68. Maybe that should have been expected. Over the weekend, Colonial mainly had to draw horses from Maryland. Those who normally race at Colonial won't arrive until the track opens its main meet, which runs from July 9 to Sept. 13. By then, Colonial will have two distinct horse populations to draw from and should offer a racing product superior to that at any other Mid-Atlantic track. Laurel should also benefit, as long as it can get the Colonial horsemen to stick around and race in Maryland the rest of the year. Circuits will work. They will help with field size, which is a problem in the Mid-Atlantic, where there is way too much racing, and they should result in increased purses. Maryland racing relies on a subsidy from the state and Colonial has fattened its purse because it has Historical Horse Racing machines. By running fewer dates at both places, the slices of the purse pie will be bigger. Let's hope the Colonial-Laurel experiment is successful and inspires others to do the same. A Monmouth Park-Parx circuit should be a no-brainer, but things like that rarely come together in racing. No Dubai For “Danno” Jersey-bred star Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) was supposed to be using last Friday's Boston Handicap at Colonial Downs as a prep for a trip to Dubai. Trainer Derek Ryan said he was considering the $2 million G2 Dubai Golden Shaheen Stakes at six furlongs and the $1 million G2 Godolphin Mile. Both races are run on Apr. 5. Book'em Danno is back in the winner's circle | Coady Media But after Book 'em Danno won by 2 1/2 lengths over just two competitors, Ryan has changed his mind. “He's up here in Ocala, rolling around in a round pen right now,” he said. “We're not going to Dubai. It's too close. I'd have to ship next Sunday. It's three weeks and I don”t like to run back in three weeks. Then you miss the early summer races here. Right now, it just doesn't fit in.” Despite the small field, which also included Repo Rocks (Tapiture) and Celtic Contender (Irish War Cry), Danno was tested and didn't pull clear until late. “I know it scratched down to a small field but they were the three main players entered in the race,” Ryan said. “We got what we wanted out of it. They ran fast but good horses will do that. The other two were both stakes winners, legitimate hard knocking horses. And they were older horses, which gave them a big edge. But we got a perfect trip, a perfect everything.” So far as where Book 'em Danno will start next, Ryan said he has yet to come up with a schedule. –Dan Ross contributed to this story. The post Week In Review: Dirt Tracks Getting Safer Every Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Top 3-year-old Journalism (Curlin) returned to the work tab Sunday at Santa Anita following his victory in the GII San Felipe Stakes Mar. 2. Journalism and jockey Umberto Rispoli hit the track together under darkness at about 6:30 a.m. PT. The colt, trained by Michael McCarthy, was clocked working four furlongs in :48.20. He is targeting the GI Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles Apr. 5. “Very good,” McCarthy said of the drill. Rispoli reacted with a wide grin and a thumbs up. In the San Felipe, Journalism ran down previously unbeaten Barnes (Into Mischief) in deep stretch and won going away by 1 3/4 lengths with Rispoli aboard. The effort earned a 108 Beyer Speed Figure, which is tied for the highest posted by a 3-year-old this year. Journalism Runs Down Favorite Barnes And Wins The Grade II, $300,000 DK Horse San Felipe Stakes For 3-Year-Olds Going 1 1/16 pic.twitter.com/UsrF8Rdtc8 — Santa Anita Park (@santaanitapark) March 2, 2025 In this weekend's Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Journalism opened as the 3-1 favorite and remained the favorite at 5-1 as of Sunday morning. Journalism has banked $338,880 in earnings for breeder Don Alberto Stable and co-owners Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and Robert V. LaPenta. He also won the GII Los Alamitos Futurity in December. Bullard (Gun Runner), another graded stakes-winning 3-year-old for McCarthy, worked for the first time in four weeks. The 'TDN Rising Star' was clocked going four furlongs in :48.60 seconds. Bullard has not started since finishing third in the GII San Vicente Stakes Jan. 4. McCarthy called it a “nice work” and added Bullard is also possible to return in the Santa Anita Derby. “We're keeping all of our options open,” McCarthy said. Trainer Bob Baffert's workers included 3-year-old Madaket Road (Quality Road) and multiple stakes winner Casalu (Caracaro). Madaket Road went four panels in :46.40 seconds. It was the fastest of 72 works at the distance. In two starts this year, the Quality Road colt finished second in the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Feb. 23 and was third in the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Feb. 1. He is also part of this weekend's Kentucky Derby Future Wager. Casalu worked four furlongs in 49 flat. In two starts at the Classic Meet–both on grass–the 3-year-old filly won the Blue Norther Stakes in December and the Sweet Life Stakes Feb. 9. Kopion (Omaha Beach) worked four furlongs in :48.40 seconds for trainer Richard Mandella. Winner of the GI La Brea Stakes in December and GII Santa Monica Stakes Feb. 1, the 4-year-old had to miss last weekend's Beholder Mile because of illness. The filly has earned $434,600 for owner Spendthrift Farm. There were a combined 244 workouts between the main track and training track at 'The Great RIP' on Sunday. The post Journalism Leads Cadre Of Santa Anita Workers On Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article