Wandering Eyes

Zardozi won the 2023 VRC Oaks at Flemington. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) The James Cummings-trained Zardozi will look to turn the tables on Pride Of Jenni when the pair clash again in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington, with stable confidence high that the mare is ready to strike. Zardozi was beaten into second by Pride Of Jenni in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield last start, but Cummings’ Melbourne foreman Nacim Dilmi believes the return to Flemington—where she claimed the 2023 VRC Oaks—could be the difference. “Her third-up run at Caulfield was pleasing, taking on Pride Of Jenni we knew was going to be a task but she hit the line strongly,” Dilmi said. “Coming to Flemington, a track that she really enjoys, we are looking forward to Saturday. It’s going to be a difficult task, but we managed to do it last year with Cascadian and we believe Zardozi can do it again this time on a track she really enjoys.” Although Zardozi hasn’t won since her VRC Oaks triumph in November 2023, she’s been a model of consistency in top-level races. The daughter of Kingman has registered three Group 1 placings and a brave fourth in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup during the spring. “Since running fourth in the Melbourne Cup she’s come back in such great order, she’s not very big but she’s got such a big heart,” Dilmi said. Jamie Mott has been booked for the ride on Zardozi in the Australian Cup. Horse racing news View the full article

Schwarz won the 2025 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) will shift to Caulfield in 2026 as the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) prepares for a major redevelopment of its iconic racetrack. With just eight meetings remaining on the current surface, the MVRC has started working alongside Racing Victoria (RV) to relocate 39 race meetings over the next two seasons. Moonee Valley will go quiet for 21 months following this year’s Cox Plate Carnival, with a grand reopening of the revamped track scheduled for August 2027. “We are finalising the dates at the moment for the 25-26 season, it looks like the William Reid Stakes next March will be at Caulfield,” MVRC CEO Michael Browell told Racing.com. “Then we are looking at four meetings at Geelong and 11 spread across the Southside tracks, predominantly at Cranbourne, to accommodate the night racing product.” As for the future of the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), the MVRC is narrowing down options for a temporary home in 2026. Browell confirmed they will choose between Caulfield and Flemington to host the prestigious weight-for-age feature. Horse racing news View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Tuesday, March 25. 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 25, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. 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! at Ballarat | Up To $100 Bonus Cash Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Paid in bonus cash. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100 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. Unibet 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 Top 4 Betting! Bet & win up to 4th Place Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Boost ‘Til You Boom Place a boosted racing single bet and get your racing boost back each time your boosted bet doesn’t win Eligible Customers Only. BoomBet T&C’s Apply. 18+ Gamble Responsibly. 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 25, 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

New York regulators are taking the initial steps to further relax the state's pari-mutuel coupling rules as part of an effort pushed by Thoroughbred tracks and horsemen and Thoroughbred breeding groups in the state.View the full article

In an exclusive interview, Michael’s joined in studio by Minister for Racing, Winston Peters. They discuss the Minister’s love of the industry, the concerns and future of horse racing, his decision and the resistance to closing the greyhounds, and being given a horse in Mongolia. Guerin Report – Ep.30 Ft. Winston Peters View the full article

Australian punters could get their first glimpse of New Zealand’s dominant hurdler Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry) in just over a month, with trainer and part-owner Mark Oulaghan giving serious consideration to Warrnambool’s May Racing Carnival with his gelding. The nine-year-old son of Jakkalberry posted seven consecutive victories last winter, culminating in retaining his Grand National Hurdles (4200m) crown at Riccarton, and could now get his chance to test his talent against the best hurdlers in Australia. Reinvigorated after a spell, Berry The Cash finished third in a 1400m trial at Foxton earlier this month, and will make his raceday return at Hawera on Wednesday in the Johnny Neil Builders R75 2100. While not expecting his charge to feature in the finish in his first-up assignment, Oulaghan is hoping to see enough in his first couple of starts on the flat to warrant a trip to Australia. “We were going to run him at Tauherenikau (on Sunday, which was abandoned) but they left the noms open for tomorrow, so we managed to get him in there. It will just be a conditioning run for him,” he said. “We will just see how he comes up over his next couple of starts and we could possibly take him to Warrnambool in early May. “He seems pretty bright within himself, and I think he is in pretty good order.” While a Warrnambool campaign is likely for Berry The Cash, his stablemate, reigning New Zealand Champion Jumper West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), will remain at home. Oulaghan doesn’t believe his star jumper is suited to an Australian campaign and has elected to keep him in New Zealand where he will likely shoot for his fourth successive Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). “West Coast will stay home, I don’t think he is quite an Australian sort of horse. We will just take the one if we went,” he said. “He (West Coast) will kick off, have a couple of runs, and we will look at the Wellington Chase and the National again with him.” Meanwhile, Oulaghan is looking forward to kicking off the career of Freedom Fighter (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) at Hawera on Wednesday, with the five-year-old son of Turn Me Loose set to make his debut in the Trans Ag Maiden 1200. “He has gone pretty well at the trials,” Oulaghan said. “He is a nice, big horse, and can gallop.” View the full article

Group Two-winning mare Marotiri Molly (NZ) (Per Incanto) was in full flight at the Foxton trials on Tuesday as she readies for further black-type assignments. From the early stages of her career, Marotiri Molly gained a reputation of running her rivals off their feet at the trials and this occasion was no different. Lining up over 850m, she jumped on even terms but swiftly broke the line to lead, continuing to extend that margin as she cruised to the line to win the heat by seven lengths with her regular rider Kate Hercock in the saddle. The trial was the Per Incanto mare’s first appearance since finishing a close-up fifth in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) in January, which rounded off a stellar campaign where she won four races. That haul included the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), which followed a serious showing to place behind La Crique in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). “She was pretty fresh today and that’s the way she trials, she just likes to jump and get on with it,” her trainer Matt Dixon said. “Kate was really happy, she thought she felt tremendous, and she would benefit from today, which is why we were there. She’s looking forward to getting back on her raceday. “She had a month off after the Thorndon and had a good freshen-up, she packed on plenty of condition. I was pleased with her, it was just to bring her on for the Listed race at Otaki on the 12th of April, that’s where we’ll kick off.” Marotiri Molly struck consecutive Good4 surfaces throughout her summer campaign, but Dixon isn’t concerned about the likelihood of a softer track at Otaki or later at Arawa Park, where she will likely start in the Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) on May 10. “She probably prefers the sting out of the track, she has won on a really heavy track, but I won’t be running her over the winter on bottomless tracks,” he said. “After Otaki, she’ll most likely go up to Rotorua for the Group Three a month later, those are our targets at this stage. We’ll reassess from there, but she’ll have a break when the tracks get really wet and go again in the spring.” View the full article

Family runs deep and fast for Northland couple Dirk and Nicci Oberholster who are enjoying a magical run with their small broodmare band. The Totara Park Stud principals are breeding from three closely related mares from the family of superstar Winx, with half-sisters Miss Vegas and Miss Bluebell combining at the weekend for a memorable winning double. Carlton House’s unraced daughter Miss Vega was firstly to the fore at Trentham as the dam of Vegas Queen (NZ) (Proisir), who produced a tenacious performance to land the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). Trained by Kenny Rae, the Proisir three-year-old made all the running under rider Wiremu Pinn and was gallant in the run home to keep her rivals at bay. Miss Bluebell’s son Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) chimed in later when the Ciaron Maher representative took his earnings beyond A$3.6 million with victory in the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill. It was a maiden top-flight victory for the son of Per Incanto, who was sold through Archer Park’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2021 Book 1 Yearling Sale to Kasa Bloodstock for $100,000. He was then reoffered through Kilmore Farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft later that year but failed to meet his $450,000 reserve, but was subsequently sold privately after winning a trial at Waipa for Simon and Katrina Alexander. Vegas Queen was retained and is raced with good friends Matt and Mandy Brown under their Ngapuke Racing banner and The Magpies, numbering Nicci Oberholster’s son Kurt Benney and mates. “Mandy used to train for my Dad many, many years ago and they had a great relationship,” she said. “Vegas Queen races in her colours and they came up for the weekend and it was fabulous. It was Mandy who suggested she run in the Guineas, it hadn’t been on anybody else’s radar to be fair. “Kurt is my youngest son and plays for the Kamo Rugby Club, The Magpies, and they had a little betting syndicate and he’s involved with five of his mates. “They just wanted to have a bit of fun and drink a bit of beer, they’re very good at both those things.” Vegas Queen has now won twice from nine appearances, but it hasn’t been all plain sailing. “Kenny and her strapper who rides her, Sera-Lee Knight, have done a fabulous job with her because she’s not an easy filly and quite tough,” Oberholster said. Vegas Queen is the first foal of Miss Vegas with the second a Proisir gelding who sold for $160,000 to Riversley Park through the Highline Thoroughbreds draft at Karaka. He subsequently made $650,000 when reoffered at the Ready to Run Sale and the dam also has a yearling colt by Proisir and is in foal to Noverre. Gringotts’ dam Miss Bluebell, an unraced daughter of Savabeel, has a colt at foot by Satono Aladdin, who is likely to be sold at Karaka. “We sent her all the way down to Per Incanto, but she came home empty,” Nicci Oberholster said. “We’d love a filly out of the mare, that’s why we sent her to Per Incanto to hopefully get a sister to Gringotts that we could keep. “We’re having discussions again, but for mine it would be hard not to send her back again.” The third member of the breeding trio is Shocking mare Vegas Strip, a four-time winning half-sister to Miss Vegas and Miss Bluebell who had a filly foal by Noverre last season. View the full article

We've taken the plunge into the deeper end of the prep pool for the GI Kentucky Derby. Five nine-furlong stakes each awarding 100 qualifying points are scheduled over the next two Saturdays, after which this list will expand to the Top 20. 1) CITIZEN BULL (c, Into Mischief–No Joke, by Distorted Humor) O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan; B-Robert Low & Lawana Low (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $675,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: MGISW, 5-4-0-1, $1,421,000. Last start: WON Feb. 1 GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes. The Bob Baffert-trained juvenile champ will enjoy home-track advantage in the Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby, which at this point is shaping up as a showdown between the Nos. 1 and 2 contenders on this list–a classic speed-versus-stalker confrontation. As the dominant early-speed horse in his division, this big, strong $675,000 KEESEP colt has a locked-in, determined way of going, and we have yet to see Citizen Bull get knocked off-kilter by in-race pace pressure or minor trip trouble. After an on-the-pace debut win sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs and a third-place try over seven-eighths in the GI Del Mar Futurity, Citizen Bull wired the GI American Pharoah Stakes and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile in succession. If you thought (like I initially did) that his Juvenile win wasn't as impressive as it might seem (because he established an unchallenged lead after the favored pacesetter stumbled out of the gate), Citizen Bull delivered a not-so-subtle reminder of his relevance in his first start at age three by uncorking a front-running pummeling in the Feb. 1 GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes, earning a 98 Beyer Speed Figure despite a bobble at the break and never at any point being roused for full run. You'll hear quite a bit of “doesn't have to win his final prep” talk about both Citizen Bull and Journalism (Curlin) leading up to the Santa Anita Derby. It's true that qualifying points aren't an issue, and neither camp wants an overextended colt one month before the Kentucky Derby. But both are going to have to deliver some semblance of the real deal, because heading to Louisville without evidence of next-level mojo can also be a big risk. 2) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin–Mopotism, by Uncle Mo. O-Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and Robert V. LaPenta; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 4-3-0-1, $338,880. Last start: WON Mar. 1 GII San Felipe Stakes. Journalism closed as the 5-1 favorite in last week's Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. This $825,000 FTSAUG colt is coming off a 108-Beyer victory in the GII San Felipe Stakes that was every bit as visually impressive as that lofty speed figure. Both his way of going and pedigree (by Curlin out of an Uncle Mo mare) project he'll benefit from longer-distance races. Much like in the writeup of Citizen Bull, I needed a sophomore-debut convincer before climbing aboard the Journalism bandwagon. I hadn't been blown away by his season-ending 2-year-old win in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity. Journalism stalked outside, chased a trio while covering up another rival, then came five wide for the long Los Al drive to collar a wilted leader with no one else firing. The Beyer came back a so-so 87. Different story in the San Felipe. This Michael McCarthy trainee broke running, then conceded the lead to the 2-5 favorite, Barnes (Into Mischief). Umberto Rispoli eased back Journalism to fourth at the fence, then cued him to slice through on the inside a half-mile out. On the far turn, Journalism launched into a relentless, three-deep sweep that had Barnes well within his striking sights at the head of the lane, but Barnes was not giving in. This colt's long, purposeful stride enabled him to overcome what was still a 2 1/2-length deficit at the eighth pole, and Journalism wrested command a sixteenth out before extending assertively to a 1 3/4-length win. It's a big gamble as to what to expect, speed-figure wise, in the Santa Anita Derby considering Journalism jumped his Beyer 21 points from age 2 to 3. His overall Beyer progression is 72-82-87-108 over just four starts. Journalism's limited sophomore experience does raise a recent-history red flag–although it's worth noting that after all the prep races are run, this stat will also apply to No. 1-ranked Citizen Bull as well as the next two contenders on this list: From 2017 through 2024, horses with only two sophomore starts prior to running in the Kentucky Derby are a collective 0-for-49. 3) SOVEREIGNTY (c, Into Mischief–Crowned, by Bernardini). O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-William I. Mott; Lifetime Record: MGSW, 4-2-1-0, $388,800. Last start: WON Mar. 1 GII Fountain of Youth Stakes. The big question about this Bill Mott-trained Godolphin homebred is whether Sovereignty has stamped himself as a stone-cold closer by rallying from last in three of his four career races, or whether he's capable/comfortable enough to take on more of a stalker's role. His second career race, a Sept. 27 one-turn maiden mile at Aqueduct, in which this son of Into Mischief sat two lengths off the pace in third and bounded home with huge strides to just miss by a neck, displayed an adaptability that would be of benefit in this colt's already talented toolbox, which has produced two subsequent graded stakes wins at 1 1/16 miles. It's dangerously easy to fall in love with a deep closer for your Derby horse, but not generally profitable. Speed-centric horses who raced either on the front end or just off it crossed the finish wire first (even though two were DQ'd) in every Derby between 2014 and 2021. Rich Strike in 2022 and Mage in 2023 were off-the-pace winners. In 2024 Mystik Dan (Goldencents) won with an inside stalk. Saturday's GI Florida Derby is next for Sovereignty. He'll break from the outermost 10 post as the 8-5 morning-line favorite. Captain Cook | Sarah Andrew 4) CAPTAIN COOK (c, Practical Joke–Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-St. Elias Stable; B-Marylou Whitney Stables, LLC (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. Sales history: $410,000 2yo '24 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-0-0, $188,256. Last start: WON Feb. 1 Withers Stakes. Congrats if you locked in the 51-1 price on Captain Cook in the Derby Future pool that closed Mar. 16. It was difficult to discern worthwhile overlays among those 40 betting interests, but recency bias contributed to jacking the odds on this Rick Dutrow Jr. trainee. He hadn't raced in six weeks at the time of the bet, his lone stakes win was ungraded, and he's been training in New York all winter, far removed from most of the Derby attention and prep action. This 'TDN Rising Star' by Practical Joke ($410,000 KEENOV) got bumped and crowded at the break and was hung out five wide on the turn in his Churchill sprint debut Oct. 27 for owner/breeder Marylou Whitney Stables and trainer Norm Casse. The colt was then entered in the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale, and brought $410,000 from bloodstock agent Steve Young on behalf of St. Elias Stable as the second-most-expensive lot of that sale. Making his first start for new connections at 1-2 odds off a two-month break, Captain Cook detonated a 9 1/4-length, pace-pressing maiden blowout at Aqueduct over a sloppy seven furlongs Dec. 28. In the Feb. 1 Withers Stakes, Captain Cook was bet down to 7-5 favoritism and delivered a measured victory despite breaking a touch slowly and giving up three paths of real estate on both turns. Once set down for the drive, his stretch run was focused and efficient, and it included having to swat back a late challenge from a 33-1 closer who was outrunning those odds. The 2 1/4-length score translated to a 94 Beyer. Dutrow has been aiming for the Apr. 5 GII Wood Memorial Stakes because he prefers longer spacing between races for Captain Cook, who now has two wins over the Aqueduct surface, including one at the Wood's nine-furlong distance. 5) BARNES (c, Into Mischief–All American Dream, by American Pharoah). O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Jeff Drown and Don Rachel, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $3,200,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG). Lifetime record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $249,000. Last start: 2nd Mar. 1 GII San Felipe Stakes. Barnes will still be looking for his first two-turn victory as he stretches to nine furlongs for his yet-to-be-disclosed final Kentucky Derby prep. But his runner-up try in the Mar. 1 San Felipe Stakes rates as a better performance in terms of experience when compared to some of the graded stakes victories earned by others so far this spring. In that Santa Anita stakes, this $3.2 million FTSAUG colt by Into Mischief established command at the front, drew away on the far turn after taking internal pace pressure, then held off current Derby future-wager fave Journalism as best he could until the final sixteenth. In the final stages Barnes was tiring, but not quitting. For perspective, the 105 Beyer that Barnes earned in defeat would be a higher Beyer than any other Kentucky Derby entrant except for one in the past four post-pandemic Derbies. That lone exception was 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light), who, prior to finishing 15th as last year's beaten Derby favorite, had run Beyers of 105 and 110. Of course, as discussed in Journalism's writeup, it remains to be seen whether that's a speed rating that leaves room for numerical improvement in a final Derby prep. 6) RIVER THAMES (c, Maclean's Music–Proportionality, by Discreet Cat). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-CHC, Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC; B-CTR Stables, LLC (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG. Lifetime record: 3-2-1-0, $164,400. Last start: 2nd, Mar. 1 GII Fountain of Youth Stakes. River Thames | Ryan Thompson 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music) will get a jockey switch from John Velazquez to Irad Ortiz Jr. for the Apr. 5 GI Blue Grass Stakes. Ortiz was aboard at Palm Beach Downs last Friday when this colt worked a bullet five-eighths in 1:00.51 (1/6) for trainer Todd Pletcher. This New York-bred ($200,000 SARAUG) won his first two career starts at Gulfstream, a maiden sprint and a one-turn-mile allowance, by a combined 11 1/4 lengths. His first try around two turns was against stakes company in the Fountain of Youth, in which River Thames ran a very commendable second, beaten only a neck, by Sovereignty. Although this colt didn't exactly have a troubled trip in the Fountain of Youth, there was still quite a bit going on in that race. River Thames pressed the pace inside through the first turn, was edged off the action and switched outside for the backstretch run, then was hustled to re-engage with three furlongs left. Ridden along to pick up the tempo, River Thames seized the lead off the final turn, but once he got clear he momentarily lost focus for several strides in the stretch, which contributed to Sovereignty nailing him in the shadow of the wire. That's the type of mental lapse you'd rather see on the first Saturday of March than on the first Saturday of May. The guess here is that River Thames will be a tighter fighter for the Blue Grass, a stakes that Pletcher has won four times. 7) RODRIGUEZ (c, Authentic–Cayala, by Cherokee Run). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan; B-Kingswood Farm & David Egan (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $485,000 Ylg KEESEP '23. Lifetime record: 4-1-2-1, $122,800. Last start: 3rd Mar. 1 GII San Felipe Stakes. Rodriguez has tried to press the pace against difficult SoCal company in his last two starts with mixed results. If trainer Bob Baffert finds a final prep for this 'TDN Rising Star' by Authentic that allows him to motor to the front end and run freely, we could be looking at a very dangerous colt for the May 3 Kentucky Derby. Keep in mind that Rodriguez is a May 20 foal, which means that if he were to advance through the first two legs of the Triple Crown, he won't turn 3 until three days after the GI Preakness Stakes. His late birthdate theoretically puts him behind his sophomore contemporaries, development-wise. This $485,000 KEESEP colt's second lifetime start, a seven-length, front-end bust-out in a one-mile maiden special weight race at Santa Anita, was polished and professional and earned a 100 Beyer. In the Lewis Stakes, Rodriguez broke running, chased favored Citizen Bull, then appeared to be falling out of contention with a half-mile to race. But jockey Juan Hernandez was trading a slight loss of mid-race momentum for better positioning outside instead of between horses for the far-turn run, and Rodriguez kicked again, finishing strongly for second behind his far-more-experienced stablemate. In the San Felipe Stakes, Rodriguez flashed in-hand speed from the gate to pressure Barnes in the early stages, but once again had a rival to his outside forcing him to maintain a quick cadence to avoid losing position between rivals. He shadowed Barnes as best as he could, but looked out of his comfort zone by being relegated to “chase” mode. He ended up third behind Journalism and Barnes. 8) SANDMAN (c, Tapit–Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor). O-D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. Sales History: $1,200,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: GSP, 7-2-1-2, $444,595. Last start: 3rd Feb. 23 GII Rebel Stakes. Sandman, a $1.2 million OBSMAR colt by Tapit, is ranked as the second favorite at 3-1 on the morning line for Saturday's GI Arkansas Derby. Trainer Mark Casse has replaced jockey Cristian Torres with Jose Ortiz. In back-to-back stakes at Oaklawn, Torres was faced with essentially the same decision aboard Sandman on the far turn. In the Jan. 25 GIII Southwest Stakes, Sandman was asked to drive through a narrow gap at the rail after experiencing earlier trip trouble then weaving deftly through the pack. He closed with authority to run a sharp second against the grain of a speed-favoring surface. In the Feb. 23 GII Rebel Stakes, Torres again cut his colt between horses while mounting a far-turn bid, but after Sandman briefly stalled three-eighths out, the colt was asked to go wide for the drive instead of taking another chance up the fence. He closed capably for third, but without the visual flourish from his previous start. Casse lamented post-Rebel that Sandman was too far back, and that would he rather see him stalking from five or six lengths off the pace instead of spotting the field 15 lengths. Ortiz on Saturday will likely be tasked with staying more in touch with the pacemakers. He's ridden Sandman twice previously at age 2 and both times finished fifth, in the colt's beaten-favorite sprint debut, and in the one-turn-mile GIII Iroquois Stakes. Final Gambit | Coady Media 9) FINAL GAMBIT (c, Not This Time–Pachinko, by Tapit). O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-1-1, $520,639. Last start: WON Mar. 22 GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes. Final Gambit (Not This Time) will be a true wild card heading into the Derby, and he's rated this highly simply on the basis that he could “freak out” in the best possible sense of that term. This Brad Cox-trained homebred for Juddmonte has never even raced on dirt, let alone won over it. But his going-away victory in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes–which was not a fully polished performance–was his second straight off-the-tailgate win over Tapeta, and it left the impression that there could be enough raw talent to build a plausible case for him peaking over 10 furlongs in six weeks. This gray absorbed a bump at the break that didn't really seem to faze him, and he was content to lag in last around the first turn. Edged off the inside and out to the five path for the backstretch run, jockey Luan Machado essentially built a six-furlong bid by letting this colt slowly unwind. After initially weaving between rivals while still parked at the back, Machado took Final Gambit way outside for the far-turn run, explaining after the race that, “Sometimes, when he's between horses, he doesn't try as hard as when he's in the clear.” Final Gambit came nine wide for the drive and briefly shied from rivals to his inside in both upper- and mid-stretch, but he kicked clear late to win by 3 1/2 lengths. He earned a 90 Beyer over a racing surface that played to his running style. The 13 races at Turfway Mar. 22 yielded only one wire-to-wire winner, two speed-centric winners, three stalkers, and no fewer than seven deep-closing winners. 10) TIZTASTIC (c, Tiz the Law–Keesha, by Tapit). O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith; B-Capital Bloodstock (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. Sales history: $80,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $335,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GSW, 8-3-1-2, $1,549,800. Last start: WON Mar. 22 GII Louisiana Derby. Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) picked an opportunistic time to notch his first lifetime dirt win in Saturday's GII Louisiana Derby. He had previously won two turf races in the span of 10 days late last summer at Kentucky Downs, but true to form for most of Steve Asmussen's Kentucky Derby contenders, this colt sports a good foundation of five two-turn graded stakes dirt races between October and March that will serve him well moving forward. This year's Louisiana Derby was by no means a “loaded” race, featuring no contenders previously ranked within TDN's Derby Top 12 list. Tiztastic ($80,000 KEEJAN, $335,000 KEESEP) enjoyed a nicely settled trip under Joel Rosario, parked next to last until midway down the backstretch before exhibiting forward momentum over the course of a long, steady drive with clear sailing at the rail. He sparked into a noticeably quicker cadence about 2 1/2 furlongs out, then swept widest for the drive in the five path. The long Fair Grounds stretch was most definitely Tiztastic's friend, and he came over the top with purpose after cresting the eighth pole to draw away to a 2 1/4-length tally that translated to a career-best 95 Beyer. But he was passing only spent horses in the final stages, and none of the horses in his wake were making legitimate late runs. 11) TAPPAN STREET (c, Into Mischief–Virginia Key, by Distorted Humor). O-WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing. B-Blue Heaven Farm (KY). T-Brad H. Cox. Lifetime record: GSP, 2-1-1-0, $73,000. Last race: 2nd Feb. 1 Holy Bull Stakes. Tappan Street, a $1-million FTSAUG colt by Into Mischief, broke his maiden at first asking at Gulfstream in a seven-eighths sprint Dec. 28. That race yielded three next out winners, and Tappan Street himself came back to run a game second as the favorite in the Feb. 1 GIII Holy Bull Stakes. Approaching the quarter pole, four different horses had already taken turns on the lead in the Holy Bull, and Tappan Street looked like he had timed it just right before Burnham Square (Liam's Map) zeroed in on him at the sixteenth pole. Given the circumstances (first time against winners, first time around two turns), the effort stood out. This Brad Cox trainee drew post nine for Saturday's Florida Derby at 5-1 in the morning line. Luis Saez has the return call. 12) COAL BATTLE (c, Coal Front–Wolfblade, by Midshipman). O-Norman Stables LLC; B-Hume Wornall & Jay Adcock (KY); T-Lonnie Briley. Sales history: $70,000 Ylg '23 TTAYRL. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-5-0-0, $1,188,875. Last start: WON Feb. 23 GII Rebel stakes. Since November, Coal Battle ($70,000 TTAYRL) has won four stakes in succession–the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs, the Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington, plus the Smarty Jones Stakes and the GII Rebel Stakes, both at Oaklawn. A versatile overachiever, he's scored on the front end and from farther back, and he's also won twice over wet surfaces when you include his maiden tally at Evangeline Downs back in July. So he certainly isn't a one-dimensional colt who requires things his own way, pace- or surface-wise. In his 91-Beyer effort in the Rebel, this son of Coal Front broke running from the rail, settled back to lead the second flight, tipped to the outside for his far-turn bid, then hit another gear under minimal urging between the five-sixteenths and quarter poles. Accosting the pacemaker in upper stretch, this Lonnie Briley trainee raced unfocused for a few strides, then secured the lead for good under left-handed urging to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The Rebel got a boost last Saturday when Tiztastic, its fifth-place finisher, upset the Louisiana Derby field. Coal Battle is 7-2 on the morning line for Saturday's Arkansas Derby. The post TDN Derby Top 12: Long-Awaited Spring Thaw on Horizon appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jose Ortiz was named leading rider in his first meet at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 23. Bagging 98 races, Ortiz was best by 43, winning the most by any jockey since Florent Geroux tallied the same amount in 2016-2017.View the full article

On the March 24 episode of the BloodHorse Monday, trainer Brad Cox discusses Final Gambit's progression from maiden winner to Kentucky Derby qualifier. Editorial director Frank Angst previews the April edition of BloodHorse Magazine.View the full article

Aidan O'Brien's "unusual" pair of late bloomers Twain and Expanded are vying to pick up the mantle from The Lion In Winter as Ballydoyle's chief Two Thousand Guineas hope after the champion trainer cast doubt over his participation.View the full article

New York regulators fined Thoroughbred trainer Gary Contessa $1,500 March 24 for violating a rule governing the timetable for when horses claimed in-state may race again in another state.View the full article

Coupled 1 and 1A pari-mutuel entries in New York could soon be eliminated if a New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) proposal that got advanced to the pubic commentary phase on Monday passes an eventual final vote by commissioners. According to a brief written by NYSGC general counsel Edmund Burns that was included in the informational packet for the Mar. 24 meeting, the proposal has the backing of the New York Racing Association, Finger Lakes racetrack, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “Those supporting elimination contend that loosening coupling rules would increase betting interest and handle,” the brief stated. “[Supporters] state that less-restrictive coupling rules have been implemented successfully in other racing jurisdictions, such as California, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Maryland and others, and that race-integrity concerns can be addressed as they arise…” The brief stated that the NYSGC last tweaked the current rule in 2015, which eliminated mandatory coupling in in any stakes race with a purse of $50,000 or more. The proposed new language would hinge on changing the wording in rule 4025.10 so the operative term is “may” be coupled and not “must.” The state steward would make the call on whether to couple or not, if, “in such steward's discretion, [the steward] finds it necessary in the public interest,” the proposed rule states. In the case of two horses that “have the same individual present in the managing ownership of the horses, that share a 25% commonality in ownership, or that share a common trainer,” the proposed rule would allow for those horses to be offered as separate pari-mutuel interests. But New York tracks shouldn't toss out those 1, 1A and 1X saddle towels just yet. That's because the proposed rule states that, “If there are more than two horses sharing common ownership, as set forth in this subdivision, or a common trainer, such horses shall be coupled.” In the event of any uncouplings, “the racetrack operator shall take such actions as are necessary to inform the public adequately with regard to the common ownership and/or trainer that would otherwise make such horses eligible to be coupled as a single betting interest.” The next step is for the proposed rule to be published in the New York State Register before being brought back to the NYSGC for a final vote. The post Coupled Pari-Mutuel Entries In New York Could Be Eliminated To Boost Field Sizes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In his first season in New Orleans, jockey Jose Ortiz was the runaway winner of the jockeys' premiership at the Fair Grounds, while Joe Sharp and Godolphin took home honors as leading trainer and owner, respectively. Ortiz rode the winners of 98 races during the meet, the most recorded by any jockey since Florent Geroux accumulated the same number of winners during the 2016-2017 season. Ortiz finished some 43 winner clear of Jareth Loveberry, with Ben Curtis in third on 49 winners. “I've had huge support from the trainers and owners here in Louisiana and I really appreciate it,” said Ortiz, who put an exclamation point on the season with five winners on closing day Mar. 23. “I want to thank all of them, and especially everyone working on the backside. Without all of them, it's impossible to do it. “[Agent] Steve Rushing did such a nice job with my book,” Ortiz said. “I'm very thankful to have him as my agent. Hopefully I'll be back next year. We'll sit down and figure it out, but I don't see why not.” Sharp recorded 40 winners during the season–nine during the closing week alone–good for a 26% strike rate, while besting trainer Brad Cox on 31 victories. Shane Wilson was third with 27 winners, 17 of those coming in the final two months. “In some of the years it didn't seem like the right thing to push for (the title), but this year with how we were sitting a month out, we wanted to do it,” Sharp said. “Our team works hard, and all my assistants work their butts off. Mid-meet I started to feel an obligation (to win the title) for them. They were watching closely and I saw how engaged they were.” Steve Asmussen saddled 22 winners at the meet, among them GII Risen Star Stakes winner Magnitude (Not This Time) and GII Louisiana Derby hero Tiztastic (Tiz the Law), which helped to make him the leading trainer by earnings with just shy of $2.4 million. Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) cemented her status as the leading candidate for the GI Kentucky Oaks with wins in the GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes and GII Fair Grounds Oaks, and that helped carry Godolphin to a meet-best 11 winners, three better than Allied Racing Stable, Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez and John Duvielh and Keith Plaisance on eight wins. The post Ortiz, Sharp, Godolphin Take Fair Grounds Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Those of us fortunate to have been in the Thoroughbred industry for any length of time–whether with hands on horses daily or from behind a desk or from somewhere in between–have seen hundreds, and more likely thousands, of horses in this sport. It can be easy to pass one up at the sales if they don't have perfect conformation or drop one in for a claim if they haven't measured up on the track. But what we may sometimes forget is that we are all here because of a love for the horse. It all boils down to that one simple fact. We all got into this sport, either by birth or by intention, because we feel a pull toward these amazing creatures who know just how to touch our hearts and how to turn something they do naturally–run like the wind–into something that surpasses even the most exquisite poetry we can imagine. Every once in a while, something happens that makes us pause in our busy days and brings us back to that pure adulation for the horse. It might be the uplifting connection between Cody Dorman and Cody's Wish (Curlin). It might be the collective rooting for a fan favorite like Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in last year's GI Travers Stakes. Or it might be something humbler: the bond between a lovely human and her off-the-track Thoroughbred. We've written about New Years Eve before, last year when he turned 38. But sometimes it's nice to know the story behind why there's a special relationship between a horse and a human. This old former racehorse and his owner, Julie Izzo, willingly remind us of the love two creatures can share and how that love can sustain both. He's never been an easy horse to be around, says Izzo, and he's not pampered. He's also had two near-death experiences, each more than 20 years ago. “He's a jackass, but he's my jackass,” said Izzo with palpable affection a few days after he turned 39 on St. Patrick's Day. And yes, he is named New Years Eve although he was foaled on St. Patrick's Day. Izzo laughs at the mention of it. “I have no idea why! It's the dumbest name on the planet. There's so many great things associated with St. Patrick's Day, but maybe they wanted another holiday that started with an 'N' since his sire's name started with 'N' [Night Conqueror]? It's the only thing I can think of.” New Years Eve enjoys birthday raspberries sent by the owner of Dead Solid Perfect, who was the oldest American Thoroughbred on record | Sarah Andrew By all accounts, New Years Eve, who has officially turned 39 and is nicknamed 'Axl' due to Izzo's fondness for Guns N' Roses, is the second-oldest American Thoroughbred on record. Dead Solid Perfect, who died in 2022 at 39 years and 188 days, is believed to hold the U.S. record. Prospect Point reportedly was 38 years and 204 days when he died in 2016, while Lexingtonians will be most familiar with Merrick, whose passing in 1941 as America's oldest-known Thoroughbred at the time was covered extensively in the Thoroughbred Record, which opined: “It is heartening in this day when commercialism and the stress of living would seem to have bludgeoned so many of the finer feelings and instincts into insensibility to know that there are so many persons who really love a horse, cherish the memory of his deeds and appreciate the sentiment that leads to his care and well-being long after his day is done.” The Lexington restaurant Merrick Inn, which is housed in the former manor house of the farm where Merrick spent his retirement, is named in his honor. Merrick, who died at 38 years and 49 days, significantly outlived the previous documented American recordholder: Kenilworth, who passed away two weeks shy of age 35. The birthday boy | Sarah Andrew Does the record matter to Izzo? “Not really,” she said. “It's one of those things that would be cool, but at the end of the day it's just a number. I really hope more horses surpass him. Bridget [Eukers, owner of Dead Solid Perfect] told me that when Axl turned 38. I think with all the advancements we have–better access to nutrition, better knowledge about nutrition, better access to health care–it's going to open the door for more horses to live longer. That's my dream. I want more people to become aware of better ways to take care of their horses. If there's any legacy that Axl leaves behind, it's that people take it upon themselves to learn better horse husbandry tactics. “I really hope people aren't just amazed by [Axl's age], but it makes them wonder, 'What was she doing and what were the philosophies that helped get these animals to this phase?' I want people to learn more about natural horsemanship, learn more about how wild horses live and try and replicate that as much as possible within a domesticated situation. You're never going to go wrong trying to keep a horse in a more natural state. Learn from your horse. They're there to teach you, not the other way around. Listen to them.” Extreme senior horses may be rare, but Axl is Izzo's second. She also had a Quarter Horse mare who lived to the age of 40. She's clearly doing something right. New Years Eve the day after turning 39 last week | Sarah Andrew “I cannot beat the drum hard enough to start treating your horse like a horse and not like a human child,” said Izzo. “This comes up every time we talk about Axl being old. First thing people want to know is, 'What do you feed him?' I can tell you what I feed him, but it's irrelevant. I did a lot of research–really got into what makes their cells the healthiest–but I thought about horses in the wild. Why don't they require corrective shoeing, why don't they require dentistry, why are they so healthy? My number one thing I tell people is keeping a horse in a stall is a death sentence. It literally affects every aspect of their being. Their digestive system is meant for the horse to be moving, not standing in one place eating.” It probably doesn't need to be said that Axl lives outdoors on Izzo's property which is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Concessions to his age include blanketing during the winter, but that's a more recent development of the last few years. Izzo said the heat of summer is harder on Axl than the cold of winter. Axl has been with Izzo through thick and thin. Although she said it was love at first sight on her end, the longevity of their relationship has cemented their bond. “My husband retired from the Army in 2008 and this horse was there with me through deployments, through so many military moves. I told my husband, 'When you were in Haiti, this horse was there for me. I cried into his mane.' And that was in 1995! I was 28 years old when I got him and I'm about to turn 59.” After growing up riding ex-racehorses, Izzo always wanted a horse of her own, particularly a bay Thoroughbred with a lot of fire, “as if they're not a dime a dozen,” she said with a laugh. She and her husband were stationed at Fort Hood in Texas in 1993, short on money but with a surprise $700 from their tax return. Izzo spotted an ad for Axl in the newspaper. With her arm in a soft cast from an injury caused by another horse, she borrowed a trailer and drove to Austin, intent on bringing New Years Eve home. Axl's breeder, owner, and trainer, John A. Howe, had sold him after an undistinguished racing career. “To Mr. Vasquez, I think his name was,” said Izzo. “This guy bought Axl for his kid's first horse. They bought him pretty immediately after the track and knew nothing about horses, so they just kept feeding him what he was eating while he was racing. This horse was high as a kite! And then they were terrified of him, rightfully so, so they never took him out of the stall because they were scared to death of him. It was the worst recipe I'd ever heard.” New Years Eve, aka Axl, at age 39 | Sarah Andrew It took a long time for Axl and Izzo to come to an understanding and for the horse to learn to walk under saddle instead of run. “We went through a learning process,” remembered Izzo. “I thought I knew what I was doing, but looking back, I made a lot of mistakes and Axl was not very forgiving. He has always been very opinionated, he has always been a very bullish horse, and he does not suffer fools gladly. I have loved him from the minute I laid eyes on him, but he has put me in my place more than once. He was a very difficult horse and I grew up with difficult horses, but he set the bar high.” When the pair were a few years into developing their relationship, the Army got in the way with a 45-day notice of a multi-year, overseas deployment. It was incredibly cost prohibitive to ship horses overseas at the time and Izzo scrambled to find someone she could trust with Axl and the two additional horses she had added to her herd by then. When Izzo was finally able to return stateside after a year and a half to check on the horses, she found all three of her horses neglected and suffering from starvation. She immediately found a new place to board them, but was horrified. She told the van driver she hired that she knew the horses might not survive the trip and she wouldn't hold him responsible if any of them died en route. Somehow, they lived, but it wouldn't be the last time Axl hovered between life and death. “Being away from my horses was the worst thing ever,” said Izzo. “There was a series of horrible events.” Julie Izzo and Axl | Sarah Andrew Upon returning to the U.S., Izzo, her husband, and the horses ended up in Virginia. Almost immediately, the excellent barn Izzo chose to board at was faced with horses colicking and dying in a matter of days for no apparent reason. Four of his barnmates had already died when Axl was stricken. It turned out growing conditions for the hay had been just right for panicum toxicity, resulting in liver disease in 14 horses in the barn. Perhaps it was his fiery spirit, but Axl was one of the ones who survived. “So it's not like he lived a completely charmed life,” said Izzo. “His body went through some trauma that should have taken a toll on him. He's withstood some crap that should have taken him out a long time ago.” About five years after the panicum toxicity, when he was in his early 20s, Axl was diagnosed with PPID, or Cushing's Disease. “They say the life span of a horse with Cushing's is typically within 10 years of being diagnosed,” said Izzo. “I believe he was diagnosed officially in 2009 or 10. He's done remarkably well.” Despite all the challenges, Axl has kept on trucking and Izzo has kept on learning from him and loving him. At this point, New Years Eve is not just vintage. He's practically an antique. Even the Texas-bred's pedigree rises from the dusty pages of history. The oldest horse on his five-cross pedigree is the 1906 Bachelor's Double (GB), himself a great-grandson of Bend Or (GB). Yes, that Bend Or from 1877. Other ancestors showing up in Axl's pedigree within five generations include the great Mahmoud (Fr), Phalaris (GB), Ksar (Fr), Sir Gallahad III (Fr), and War Relic. His broodmare sire, Amber Morn, was born in 1956! As he had just two wins from 18 starts in lower-level races at Mountaineer and Atokad Park, none of those illustrious names had much effect on Axl's racing talent, but it is still a jolt to see them on a living horse's page. Axl relaxes last week at home in Pennsylvania | Sarah Andrew When Axl was born in 1986, Ronald Reagan was president. Michael Jordan, just a year removed from his rookie season, hadn't yet won an NBA championship. It was the year Oprah Winfrey's daytime talk show went national, as well as the year of the space shuttle Challenger disaster and the year of the Chernobyl explosion. Top Gun–the first one–was released in 1986. CDs were still a few years away from overtaking cassette tapes, and it would be another decade before DVDs were even invented. Mobile phones were the size of a brick, while home computers existed but the internet was still seven years away from making it to the public. Closer to home, in racing, the Breeders' Cup would be contested for only the third time. Three sons of Northern Dancer held the top three spots on the year-end sire lists of 1986: Lyphard, Nijinsky II, and Danzig. Woody Stephens won his fifth-straight Belmont Stakes. D. Wayne Lukas had yet to win his first Kentucky Derby and Bob Baffert hadn't even begun training Thoroughbreds yet. It was also the year Sunday Silence and Easy Goer were born. Sunday Silence and Easy Goer were beloved by millions and have long since passed away. New Years Eve, whose fan base is much smaller, is still with us. He may not have won Classics, but his title as the oldest currently living American Thoroughbred matters more to Izzo, as it's a testament of the devotion a person can have for a horse and a reminder of why this sport captured us in the first place. “It could have been just me and him in our quiet little corner of the world, but I just love the people that actually care about all this,” said Izzo. “It means a lot.” Izzo hasn't ridden Axl in four or five years and the last time was just a slow lap around the field with nothing but a halter on him. She said she used to ride six days a week, year-round. She would keep him forever if she could, but she knows his time on this earth is drawing short. “He's 39, not a spring chicken,” said Izzo. “He's in great shape, he looks good, but he has been struggling to get up for a few months now. It's not like it's awful; all I have to do is put the halter on and give him a little bit of tension and that's enough for him to pull against to get himself up. He just needs something to brace against to get himself up. “I have been well aware that a decision is going to have to be made and I've been trying to put it off, but he has lost his spark. He's always been a very fiery horse and I've noticed over the past few months that he's becoming dull. I told my husband, 'He's telling me.' “I'm not ready, I'll never be ready, but he's ready. Even though I could do heroic things and keep him going, I know it's inevitable. I don't want to sully his memory in any form.” Julie Izzo shares a quiet moment with New Years Eve | Sarah Andrew While Izzo knows losing Axl, sooner rather than later, is inevitable, it doesn't make it easy. “He's been my horse for 32 years. It's really hard to comprehend that he won't be there. Keeping him going at this point is more for my comfort then his and that's not fair. I used to work for a vet and the adage in the veterinary world is better a day too soon than a day too late. He's tired. Deep down, I know it's right. “I just want to focus on him. He's had a great life. I'm so lucky. Most people don't get to keep their favorite animal for 32 years.” When that day does come, Izzo doesn't think she'll get another horse. She's able to face the question with dignity and humor. “Right now my answer is no. There are several reasons; one is that I'm really good at keeping old horses alive! if I have another horse 32 years from now, I'm going to be in my 80s and 90s! That's the first thing I think of: what if I keep another horse alive that long?” After a hearty laugh that belies the pain of losing her dearest friend, Izzo continues. “It's an emotional thing. Any other horse wouldn't be Axl. Those hooves are too big to fill at this moment.” In anyone else's hands, New Years Eve would likely have succumbed to his age long ago and would be just one of the forgotten thousands of horses who graced the racetrack once upon a time. But he matters to somebody. They all matter. May Izzo's dedication to him be a reminder to all of us that love for the horse got us into this wonderful sport. And may this grand 39-year-old former racehorse inspire us to remember that every single one of them matters. The post ‘Hooves Too Big to Fill’–America’s Oldest Thoroughbred Turns 39 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Junior Alvarado, who has ridden leading GI Kentucky Derby chance Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in each of his four career starts to date, will miss about three weeks after fracturing his shoulder blade in a Sunday accident at Gulfstream Park. Daily Racing Form was first to report the news. Alvarado's mount in Sunday's 10th race at Gulfstream Park suffered a fatal heart attack, according to DRF, and the rider's agent Mike Sellitto told the publication that Alvarado was looking after his horse when he was clipped by another horse in the field. A Monday X-ray confirmed the injury. “The injury was very slight, they could barely find it at first on the X-ray, but barring a miracle, Junior will likely miss about three weeks,” Sellitto told the Form. Sovereignty is the morning-line favorite for Saturday's GI Curlin Florida Derby, and Sellitto told Daily Racing Form that trainer Bill Mott is scheduled to confer with Godolphin principles on Tuesday to go over their options. Sovereignty broke his maiden in the GIII Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs Oct. 27 and turned in a sensational sophomore debut when running down 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music) to take out the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes on Mar. 1. The post Sovereignty Jockey Alvarado Injured, Sidelined appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two meetings at Cambridge, including Friday’s dress rehearsal for their Night of Champions and a Sunday triple header all feature in this week’s harness racing around the country. Cambridge kicks things off today with Ashburton tomorrow before Friday Night Lights at Cambridge and Addington. Cambridge’s Friday programme features the two Waikato Flying Miles. Merlin, Duchess Megxit, Mo’unga and Rakero Rocket are the headliners in the Pacers event, with Australian Not As Promised lining up against Bet N Win and Oscar Bonavena in the Trotters’ Mile. Both races will be keenly analysed with the $1m Race by betcha and the $600,000 TAB Trot on the following Friday, April 4. Then to round out the week there are three meetings on Sunday, with Rangiora and Wyndham followed by a twilight meeting at Manawatu. Ruby Ridge one of a number of chances for Blanchards at Cambridge tonight By Brigette Solomon The Pukekohe training partnership of Peter and Vaughan Blanchard have a team of four runners tonight at Cambridge Raceway, all with good each way chances. All four of the stable’s horses raced at Cambridge last Tuesday, with Ultimate Mach scoring his maiden victory and stable mate Always B Mine finishing second just 0.75 lengths behind him. “They’ve all been racing well and start tonight off the back of good performances last week,” said Blanchard “Always B Mine is up first and he raced well last week and has worked good since but he has a few tricks up his sleeve and once again doesn’t have a great starting draw (7).” The four-year-old gelding has had just five starts to date with his second placing last week being his best performance to date. In that race he also started from barrier seven, with driver Peter Ferguson opting to take all the short cuts and settling three back on the fence in running, and although briefly held up on the final bend, Always B Mine ran on nicely once obtaining a run up the passing lane. He is driven again tonight by Ferguson in the Lewis Lawyers Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. “Ultimate Mach has trained on well after his win and seems really well in himself, he’s another with a few tricks but does have some ability and I think he’s capable of another good race tonight” says Blanchard. Ultimate Mach won his maiden race comfortably last week, when starting from the ace draw, he led from start to finish in the hands of Andre Poutama indicating he is capable of being competitive as he steps up in grade tonight. Also driven by Ferguson, Ultimate Mach starts in the Betavet Buildagut Mobile Pace from barrier five. In the 2200 metres Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Trot the Blanchard partnership start Ruby Ridge, a winner of seven races at this course, five of those over this distance and three from a mobile start. The Majestic Son mare finished second behind Mazeppa here last week. “She loves a mobile start and is a very fast beginner, the last mobile start she raced in she won,” says Blanchard, “I think she’s probably one of our better chances tonight, prior to last week she’d had a bit of a freshen up and raced well, and she’s actually now in foal so we will only have a couple more starts with her and it would be really nice to get another win with her.” “Our other trotter racing tonight, Patrick Mahomes, is very consistent but hasn’t drawn so well starting from six, although he can hold his own off the mobile,” says Blanchard. The four-year-old by Father Patrick hasn’t finished worse than fifth place in his past six starts, and his two wins have both come at Cambridge Raceway over the 2200 metre journey. He finished fourth there last week, when just 1.2 lengths off race winner Castana. Tonight, Patrick Mahomes starts in the Gavelhouse.com Mobile Trot and is driven by Peter Ferguson. Racing gets underway tonight at 4:55pm. View the full article

The lawyer for New York-based trainer Gary Contessa said the veteran conditioner is considering his options after the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) ruled on Monday to reduce a $4,000 stewards' fine to $1,500 for his violation last autumn of a state “claiming jail” rule. Contessa was initially fined Oct. 17 after he ran Answer the Call (Dialed In) in a Sept. 25 claiming race at Delaware Park. He had claimed that filly out of an Aug. 4 race at Saratoga and believed she would be allowed to run outside of New York because more than 30 days had elapsed since the claim. But Contessa soon found out the hard way that despite his due diligence in double-checking the rule, it had recently been changed so that no claimed horse could run at any track outside of the New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit for 60 days. After being fined by NYSGC steward Braulio Baeza Jr., who heads the board of three stewards at NYRA tracks, Contessa protested to Baeza that he had checked the NYRA website to make sure he could ship Answer the Call out of town without being in violation of any rule. But NYRA's online rules page had not been updated to reflect the extended 60-day period that had gone into effect July 24. Contessa admitted that he did not triple-check the NYRA rules listings against the NYSGC website. Contessa's version of his conversation with Baeza over the violation included a verbal exchange in which he said he complained to the head NYSGC steward that the fine was out of line with the infraction, but that Baeza's response was, “'That's my minimum fine. We give fines that count now.” After Contessa retained attorney Drew Mollica, they built an appeal based on what seemed to be a precedent: According to Mollica, trainer Amy Albright had violated the very same rule when shipping a horse she had claimed at Finger Lakes out of town without waiting out the 60-day period. She was fined just $200. At the Mar. 24 commission meeting, NYSGC chair executive director Robert Williams read into the record that the hearing officer assigned to Contessa's appeal had determined that a violation did, in fact occur, and his recommended fine knocked the original $4,000 penalty down to $1,500. NYSGC chair Brian O'Dwyer then said that, “The commission duly deliberated and considered this matter, and determined, on a 6-0 vote, to affirm the hearing officer's findings, but to modify his findings to provide for a $1,500 fine instead.” As per the way the NYSGC traditionally handles adjudications, the commissioners did not publicly discuss or debate the case during the open meeting. They had done so in private prior to the outcome being read into the record by O'Dwyer at Monday's meeting. Contessa's attorney weighed in on the reduced fine after the meeting concluded. “Obviously, I'm pleased about two things,” Mollica said. “That both the hearing officer and the commission clearly saw that the original penalty imposed was completely out of line given the circumstances. “Secondly, I appreciate that the commission saw fit to reduce it even more,” Mollica continued. “But the real issue here is the systemic problem of draconian, over-the-top penalties that have permeated this stewardship over the past couple of years,” Mollica said. “Civil penalties are supposed to educate and correct. Education doesn't mean punitive punishment. To initially levy a $4,000 fine under these circumstances was so over the top that Mr. Contessa had no choice but to appeal. “But the truth of the matter is that as an industry, and as horsemen in New York, something has to be done about this bevy, if you look back, of fines that just shock the conscience,” Mollica said. As TDN's Bill Finley reported on Nov. 24, the Contessa case is not the first time in recent history that the judgment of the NYRA stewards–and in particular, Baeza–has been questioned. “As has been the case numerous times over the last several years, Baeza is once again at the center of a controversy,” Finley wrote four months ago. “His fines come across as heavy-handed, he doesn't seem to consider the mitigating circumstances that may be involved, and the stewards have made a number of mistakes, for which he has been held blameless.” Mollica cited several of those instances to TDN on Monday. “Two-, three-, four-, five-thousand dollar fines for an alleged claims clerk mistake? Or a $4,000 fine for a wrong owner showing up on an overnight? I mean, have we lost our way?” Mollica asked rhetorically. “In an industry where the small stable and the small trainer are being annihilated and pulverized out of the business, we have to rethink the entire theory behind civil penalties and bring it back into some level of sanity,” Mollica said. “Think about the resources expended here over a fine that should not have been more than $200, in our opinion,” Mollica continued. “Not only did we have a stewards' hearing; not only did we have an adjudicative process where we retained a hearing officer and two lawyers had to file briefs and argue, and then a hearing officer had to write a report, and the commission had to review it, [but] for what purpose? “Again, I'm pleased that the commission and the hearing officer saw the folly in the original penalty. And while I don't agree with the [final fine amount] at the end of the day, the real problem is this systemic over-punishment that has come out of this stewards' stand and needs some level of review,” Mollica said. “Remember the circumstances. The rule that had changed had been in place for three decades. And it had just changed six weeks [prior to Contessa's violation],” Mollica said. “So how about the common sense of a little grace period, right?” TDN asked Brad Maione, the NYSGC's director of communications, if the commission would like a chance to respond to Mollica's allegations about ongoing problems with the stewards at NYRA tracks. Maione acknowledged the request but declined the opportunity to comment. The post NY Commission Reduces Contessa’s ‘Claiming Jail’ Fine, But Concerns Persist Over ‘Draconian’ Stewardship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hollie Doyle celebrated a landmark success when Handle With Care became her 1,000th winner in Britain in the opening six-furlong Fillies' Handicap March 24.View the full article

Capsules of this year's Florida Derby (G1) runners from ABR.View the full article

Resolute Racing's farm manager Noel Murphy is not one for interviews, especially when they take place in front of a camera, but when the topic of conversation is Goodnight Olive? Well okay, he will kindly acquiesce. For Murphy, the story of Goodnight Olive has always appealed to him. A $170,000 yearling purchase campaigned by First Row Partners and Team Hanley, the daughter of Ghostzapper developed into a four-time Grade I winner and dual Breeders' Cup champion. “I think it's the fact that she was not the chosen one at the start and it took her time to get there, but on the biggest days that's when she showed up,” Murphy explained. “I just love that about her–that when the most was asked of her, that's when she gave the most. It's special to have an equine athlete like that.” Purchased by John Stewart for $6 million in 2023, Goodnight Olive seems to have carried her outstanding tendencies into the latest chapter of her story. On Feb. 10 the champion female sprinter produced her first foal, a colt by Not This Time. Murphy said the foaling exceeded all expectations. “She was absolutely superstar,” he recounted. “She laid down exactly where we wanted her, never went to get back up and produced an absolutely spectacular individual for a maiden. He was 150 pounds–and that's 150 pounds confirmed on a weighing scale–and has not missed a meal since. At 20 days old he was 228 pounds, so he's gaining close to four pounds a day. As ever with 'Olive', she overachieves in everything she does and this was another example of overachieving. He's built just like his mom. He's not overly leggy, but he's got a huge shoulder and huge hip on him.” Goodnight Olive and her Not This Time colt stretch their legs at Resolute Farm | Sara Gordon The colt has already been nicknamed 'Ollie' by the Resolute team and Murphy described the youngster's personality as “big time all the time.” “He just enjoys everything he does,” he explained. “As soon as you go in the stall he'll meet you and even when he was younger, he was not scared or intimidated. He's waiting at the door and he just loves human interaction. He's a gift to us, like we just love the fact that John put this amount of trust in buying this mare and she has rewarded him with this caliber of a first-time foal. I've been doing this in Kentucky for 27 years and you're not going to get a better first-time maiden foal than him.” Murphy hypothesized that, based on Stewart's partiality toward Goodnight Olive, 'Ollie' will likely join the Resolute Racing stable one day. “I don't think there is a horse in Kentucky that has eaten more treats in the calendar year of 2024 than Olive,” he joked. “She can sense John coming and she knows the treats are coming. For people that don't know John, he truly does loves his horses, like nothing brings him more joy than to come out after a day in the office and spend time here on the farm. It's fun to watch.” This past weekend, Goodnight Olive was bred back to Gainesway's Seize the Grey, the winner of last year's GI Preakness Stakes and GI Pennsylvania Derby. Next month, the superstar mare will be a part of the 'Brunch with the Babies' event Resolute plans to host on April 13, giving fans the opportunity to visit the farm and meet Resolute's latest foal crop. Goodnight Olive was bred back to Seize the Grey this year| Sara Gordon “I can't express how proud I am of all Olive has done since she came here,” said Murphy. “She's been the center of attention and she has never, ever disappointed in whatever we've asked her to do whether it's greeting the public, taking pictures and just being a representative of the farm or getting pregnant, carrying the pregnancy and foaling down a 150 pound maiden foal. You've just got to love her. Everything she does, she seems to just get it right.” The post “Big Time All The Time,” Goodnight Olive’s First Foal at Resolute appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are three horse racing meetings set for Australia on Tuesday, March 25. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Ballarat. Tuesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 25, 2025 Ballarat 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 25, 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

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. Tuesday's Observations features a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars' returning from long absences. 2.30 Saint-Cloud, Cond, €28,000, 3yo, c/g, 8fT GUN OF BRIXTON (FR) (Frankel {GB}) was one of the 2024 cast of TDN Rising Stars after his win at Clairefontaine in July and so this first subsequent outing will be the subject of close attention. Haras Voltaire's homebred who is out of a half to Harzand (Ire) reappears early enough for Andre Fabre to ascertain whether he is Classic material and he faces seven in this Prix Comrade which played host to the smart Erevann (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) in 2022. 4.15 Saint-Cloud, Cond, €28,000, 3yo, f, 8fT ULTRAFRAGOLA (IRE) (Sottsass {Fr}) is another long-absent TDN Rising Star to be reintroduced on this card, with her striking debut win at Deauville in July the only evidence of her prowess to date. Jean-Claude Rouget pits the White Birch Farm homebred daughter of the multiple graded-stakes scorer Toinette (Scat Daddy) against nine other Classic wannabes including another daughter of Sottsass in the David Layani colour-bearer Safia (Fr), a Fabrice Chappet-trained descendant of Sophisticat (Storm Cat) and Serena's Song (Rahy) who was an impressive winner on her sole start at ParisLongchamp in October. The post Gun Of Brixton and Ultrafragola Return at Saint-Cloud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The California-based trainer will send out Straight No Chaser in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) April 5. The Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner followed that success with a blistering win in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) in Saudi Arabia Feb. 22.View the full article