Wandering Eyes

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A total of around 340 yearlings will go under the hammer at the 2025 National Standardbred Yearling Sales. The sales kick off with 130 yearlings being offered at Karaka in Auckland this Saturday, February 15 followed by a further 213 in Christchurch, three days later on Tuesday, February 18. “We are very happy,” says NZB Standardbred Manager Cam Bray, “the yearlings have presented in a very forward condition.” Over the two days, numbers-wise Downbytheseaside will be represented by the most yearlings. He has 50, two more than “the King” Bettor’s Delight. Victorian breeding heavyweights Yabby Dam Farms are selling yearlings at the sales for the first time and one of their offerings in particular is creating a lot of interest. Lot 106 is a bay Colt, the second foal and first colt by Next Gen sire Face Time Bourbon in Australasia. By champion French sire Ready Cash, Face Time Bourbon won 35 races and over $7m in stakes. This is the first time his progeny have been offered for sale at the Yearling Sales. The colt is from Dance Craze (24 wins), a multiple Group 1 winning Muscle Hill daughter of La Coocaracha. “Experts” are already calling Lot 106 a potential sales topper, as is Lot 70, the first colt out of champion mare and $1.6m earner and 2014 New Zealand Cup champion Adore Me. Part of the Woodlands Stud draft, this is the first time that any of Adore Me’s progeny have been offered at auction. Also certain to prompt a lot of interest is Lot 134 Mahomes (Captaintreacherous – Imaginary Bet), a half brother to recently-crowned Pacer of the Year, Merlin. It is part of the draft from Southland-based Breeder of the Year Taffy Limited (Todd and Fleur Anderson). So who of the other yearlings are likely to pique the most interest? (Auckland) Lot 15 is a full sister to dual New Zealand Cup winner and millionaire pacer Copy That Lot 73 is the first foal from seven-time Group 1 winner and former 3YO Filly and Pacer of the Year Bettor Twist Lot 81 is a colt from Albuquerque who is a half brother to the unbeaten Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous – Albuquerque) who won 17 from 17 before being retired last year. (Christchurch) Lot 147 is a Captaintreacherous – Kensington Kate filly, making her a half sister to NZ Oaks winner Duchess Megxit. Lot 260 is a Bettor’s Delight colt who is the first foal from multiple Group winner Aardie’s Express Lot 261 Akula is a full brother to pacing millionaire and 7-time Group 1 winner Akuta Lot 301 is a bay filly and full sister to last year’s boom 2YO Marketplace Lot 312 is Tour Party, a brother to Auckland and Invercargill Cups winner Republican Party. The Sales will feature 70 yearlings sired by Next Gen sires. The sires are : Bettor’s Wish King Of Swing Bird Parker On A Streak Zenith Stride McWicked Tall Dark Stranger Bold Eagle Elite Stride Propulsion Timoko Captain Crunch Lather Up Stay Hungry Face Time Bourbon Ultimate Sniper To find out more about the Next Gen initiative click here Where and when : Saturday February 15 Auckland – Lot 1 – 130, from 1pm Tuesday February 18 Christchurch – Lot 131- 343, from 11 am The Karaka parade will be held on Friday from 10am while there will be inspections in Christchurch from 9am Monday. Coverage of the sales will be live streamed to NZB Standardbred’s website and Facebook page, as well as Freeview Channel 200 in New Zealand. All yearlings purchased at the 2025 National Yearling Sale are eligible for the lucrative $1 million Harness Million Sale Race Series. View the full article

Too Darn Discreet. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Too Darn Discreet is set to begin a new campaign with hopes of securing a spot in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m). Trainer Dan O’Sullivan is optimistic as she prepares to line up in Saturday’s Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. The three-year-old made a successful step up in distance during the spring, winning the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington before claiming the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield. Her campaign ended with a sixth-place finish in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington in November. O’Sullivan noted that the filly had kept her fitness levels up after running second in a recent Geelong trial behind New Zealand Group 1 winner Here To Shock. “She’s quite an athletic filly and she retained her fitness, but she laid in again in the trial which is a bit of a habit she’s got,” he said. Her primary goal remains the Australasian Oaks in South Australia, where all of her owners are based. “Her goal is the Australasian Oaks in South Australia as that’s where all her owners are. She’ll kick off on Saturday, possibly go to the Kewney after and then we’ll pick out something between that and the Oaks. “I’d like to keep her here as long as possible and go over just once.” In an effort to curb her waywardness under pressure, O’Sullivan has added a lugging bit to the filly’s race gear. “We still haven’t gone blinkers but the problem is it’s only on race day that she does it,” he said. “You think you’ve got it right but then she comes out and does it under pressure. “A few good horses do it, so it’s something we’ll keep working on.” Horse racing news View the full article

Multiple Group One winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) will make her long-awaited return to racing when she heads to her home track at Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m). Last sighted on raceday when sixth in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March last year, the daughter of Proisir was making pleasing progress towards a spring campaign before she strained a muscle following her trial victory over 900m at Te Rapa last August. Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have taken a patient approach with her return, with her first public appearance of the year being in an exhibition gallop at Tauranga last week prior to her resuming run on Saturday. “I would have preferred to have gone to a trial, but I didn’t think there were any suitable trials to go to, so she had a good exhibition gallop at Tauranga and Ryan (Elliot, jockey) came and rode her and he came over again on Wednesday morning and gave her the thumbs up,” Ken Kelso said. While pleased with his mare ahead of Saturday, Kelso is realistic with his expectations following an extended period away from the track. “She hasn’t raced for a long time, she hasn’t raced since the Australian Cup this time last year, so she could be vulnerable first-up, but she is forward enough,” he said. All going well after Saturday, a return to Ellerslie could be on the cards for an elite-level target. “It is just one race at a time, but the obvious one is three weeks later to the Thoroughbred Breeders (Gr.1, 1600m) at Ellerslie (on March 8), but we are just taking one race at a time and we will just get through Saturday and plan from there.” Stablemate Alabama Lass is also on track to head to Champions Day, where she will target the Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) before a possible Australian campaign. The Kelsos have fond memories of competing at Flemington, with Legarto winning the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at the Melbourne track two years ago, and they are keen to test her younger stablemate’s talent across the Tasman in the Listed HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1100m) on March 29. “She is heading to the King’s Plate at Ellerslie and then we will decide after that where we go from there,” Kelso said. “We have got an option of maybe going to Flemington to an 1100m three-year-old race on Australian Cup Day, but we will get through Auckland first.” The daughter of Alabama Express has been a standout on the track since winning on debut by 9-1/2 lengths at Matamata last February. She has added a further three victories to her record, including the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m), Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), and has been runner-up in her three other starts, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.1 Railway (1200m), and Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), accruing more than $466,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Talented mare Adiktiv Passion (NZ) (Ghibellines) has fashioned a sharp record at Ascot Park, and on Saturday the Leda Beck-trained galloper will be chasing back-to-back victories in the White Robe Lodge Handicap (1400m) A daughter of Ghibellines, Adiktiv Passion struck her favourite track conditions when dominating her rivals at Gore earlier this month, a performance not totally unexpected by her Winton-based trainer. “She’d improved a lot since her last run, we changed her feed a bit as she’d had a few muscle problems and she had been working very well,” she said. “She loved Gore and always has, so it was great, a race to suit.” Having won or finished in the first four in all but one attempt at the course, Adiktiv Passion is a key hope in the Rating 75 contest, with an improvement on the current Soft track conditions only to benefit the mare. “She probably wouldn’t mind a Soft track, but the firmer, the better for her,” Beck said. Later on Southland Guineas day, Beck will have a pair of chances in the Baillie and Lewis Pharmacy Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m), a race she won just over a decade ago with Gargamel. A close relation to the Grand National Hurdles winner in Par Tee (NZ) (Verdi) will take her place in this year’s running, coming off a solid run for fifth in the Gore Cup (2000m). “Her uncle won the Cup a few years ago so we’re hoping it stays in the breed and she can follow on,” Beck said. “I don’t have a problem with the distance for her, looking at the way she finishes off her races. She’s probably better off in the weights this time as well.” The mare will carry just 54kg under apprentice Ruvanesh Muniandy, while her stablemate Theoden (NZ) (Proisir) will appreciate a four-kilogram drop in weight from his last-start effort at the track in late January, finishing second to Stolen Magic. “I was a little bit disappointed with that run, he sat outside a moderate speed and didn’t kick on quite as well as I thought he might’ve,” Beck said. “But he did have to carry weight there and he’s always honest. I think he’ll see the trip no problem, he just travels along at one pace.” The Invercargill Gold Cup will continue the $50,000 Summer Cups Bonus series in the south, after it kicked off in the Gore Cup earlier this month with the victory of In Vegas. View the full article

Stephen Marsh’s in-form stable will have an array of stakes contenders in action at Matamata this weekend and for one of his younger rising stars it’s all about timing. The Cambridge trainer has the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) to look forward to with the lightly raced Ardalio (NZ) (Ardrossan), who will represent The King’s Men in the inaugural event at Ellerslie on March 8. The slot holder locked in the filly following her impressive last start victory in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), which came off the back of a debut maiden win and a runner-up finish behind fellow Kiwi contender Sought After. A daughter of Ardrossan, Ardalio will round off her preparation in Saturday’s Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m). “It’s more of a race for timing and will give us three weeks into the Kiwi. It will top her off nicely,” Marsh said. “It fits in well and she doesn’t need to go back to Ellerslie, she’s already raced well there.” Ardalio will be opposed by high quality stablemate Provence (NZ) (Savabeel), who has made impressive progress this preparation and capped off by her last start success in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). “She will have to carry a bigger weight and, again, it will top her off well for another Group One (HKJC World Pool NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m),” Marsh said. “She has done a marvellous job and it’s great for breeder Tony Rider to have a Group One-winning mare by Savabeel.” Meanwhile, Saturday’s Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) will see Marsh’s promising juveniles To Cap It All and Tale Of The Gypsy (NZ) (Written By) go head-to-head. The former won the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on debut while Tale Of The Gypsy overcame a wide run at Te Aroha to score at the first time of asking and again covered extra ground when fourth at Ellerslie. “They are both racing very well and we took them to Tauranga last week for a gallop and they haven’t missed a beat since,” Marsh said. “They are in great order and it will probably come down to luck in the running.” Marsh’s representative in the other two-year-old feature, the Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m), is first-starter Ammirati (NZ) (Savabeel). “He’s a Savabeel colt we really like, he’s done nothing wrong and his trials have been good,” he said. “It’s only a small field and we thought he deserved a crack at a stakes race. He lacks ringcraft, but he has got plenty of ability.” Rounding off the black-type team is Dundeel mare Doddle (NZ) (Dundeel) in the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m) following an open handicap win at Taupo and a solid second at Tauranga. “She missed a run in an open 1500m that El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) won when she drew barrier 19 and didn’t feel that was a good fit for her,” Marsh said. “We’ve put plenty of work into her on the track and we’d love her to get a bit of black type, her form has been good and she’s getting better and better with age.” View the full article

What Moonee Valley Races Where Moonee Valley Racecourse – Gate 2 Feehan Ave, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 When Friday, February 12, 2025 First Race 6:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Friday night racing returns to Moonee Valley for another week, with a competitive eight-race meeting set down for decision. Clear skies are forecast for the evening, and despite the Soft 5 track rating at the time of acceptances, warm days leading into the meeting will mean the track will be a perfect Good 4 come the opening event. The Moonee Valley races on February 14 are set to commence at 6:15pm AEDT. Best Bet at Moonee Valley: Big Me The Nick Ryan-trained Big Me has been racing well without much luck this preparation but gets his chance to bring up another win. He was a smart Bendigo winner when resuming from a spell on December 3, but since then, he has found trouble at inoppurtune times in each of his last three runs. The small field of seven looks set to suit the six-year-old gelding perfectly, and from barrier five, Ethan Brown will have no issue keeping him one off the rail throughout. With a strong turn of foot, Big Me should be winning. Best Bet Race 4 – #2 Big Me (5) 6yo Gelding | T: Nick Ryan | J: Ethan Brown (60.5kg) Next Best at Moonee Valley: Dreamzel Dreamzel was a dominant all-the-way winner at the Moonee Valley 1000m on January 31, and on her return to the track and trip on Friday night looks the one to beat yet again. Jordyn Weatherley sticks on board, claiming 3kg, which gets the Deep Field mare in perfectly with 59.5kg on her back. Without much speed drawn underneath the pair from barrier four, Weatherley will have no issue finding the rail and dictating proceedings once again. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Dreamzel (4) 4yo Mare | T: Tom Dabernig | J: Jordyn Weatherley (a3) (62.5kg) Best Value at Moonee Valley: Ferago Ferago is clearly the best horse in the opener on Friday night, but needs things to go his way to be saluting. The eight-year-old gelding is a much better stayer on rain-affected ground, but in a race that lacks much depth to it, the son of Fiorente looks poised to overcome a Good track record of 14: 1-1-2. Jordyn Weatherley takes 3kg off stayers back, and considering the pair will likely be midfield with cover, Ferago has the ability to overhaul his rivals and salute at a double-figure quote with Neds. Best Value Race 1 – #1 Ferago (5) 8yo Gelding | T: Patrick Ryan (Jnr) | J: Jordyn Weatherley (a3) (64.5kg) Friday quaddie tips for Moonee Valley Moonee Valley quadrella selections Friday, February 12, 2025 1-2 1-3-7 2-4-5-8 2-3-6-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King Street, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Friday, February 14, 2025 First Race 6pm AEDT Visit Dabble Canterbury Park Racecourse is the destination for metro racing on Friday evening, with a competitive eight-part program set to take place under lights. The rail moves out +2m the entire circuit, and with more rainfall predicted to hit the course proper on Thursday, punters can expect a genuine Soft to Heavy surface come Friday night. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 6pm local time. Best Bet at Canterbury: Island Dec Island Dec returns after a 100-day spell and appears set to strike in this first-up assignment. The daughter of Kermadec stormed through the line under a stranglehold in a recent barrier trial at Kembla Grange on January 30 to suggest she is nearing her peak, and with her form from last preparation jumping off the page, this BM64 contest looks like ideal placement by the Robert & Luke Price barn. Regan Baylis should land into a mid-field position with cover throughout the journey, and with Island Dec undefeated first-up in the past, punters can expect that trend to continue. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Island Dec (6) 3yo Filly | T: Robert & Luke Price | J: Regan Bayliss (60kg) Next Best at Canterbury: Automne Tree There were no excuses for Automne Tree at Warwick Farm on January 21, with The Autumn Sun gelding finding one better in the form of Railway Man. The pair cleared out by 1.5 lengths on their remaining rivals to fight out the finish, with Automne Tree being headed in the shadows of the post. The Chris Waller-trained gelding appears set to peak third-up into the campaign, and with James McDonald electing to stick aboard this untapped galloper, Automne Tree gets one more chance to repay the faith and justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 2 – #1 Automne Tree (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (59kg) Best Value at Canterbury: Weeping Woman The Joe Pride-trained Weeping Woman got a pass mark returning at Warwick Farm on January 27, hitting the line well despite being first-up after a 17-week spell. The daughter of Lonhro was well-supported with Picklebet on that occasion, doing her best work late after settling worse than mid-field in the middle stages of the race. Stepping up to the 1100m second-up should be ideal, and with Tyler Schiller likely to stalk his rivals from gate six, watch for Weeping Woman to be one of the last ones mounting a challenge down the centre of the course. Best Value Race 6 – #11 Weeping Woman (6) 4yo Mare | T: Joseph Pride | J: Tyler Schiller (54kg) Friday quaddie tips for Canterbury Canterbury quadrella selections February 14, 2025 1-5-7-12 2-3-6-11 3-4-6-8-12 1-4-5-7-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

David Hayes leads the 2024/25 trainers’ championship. Photo: HKJC The battle for the Hong Kong trainers’ championship continued to intensify at Sha Tin’s all-dirt meeting on Wednesday night as David Hayes moved to the top of the standings with a double and Caspar Fownes took overall honours with a treble. Hayes vaulted into the championship lead with the wins of Precision Goal and Falcon Court, leaving the dual Hong Kong champion trainer with 30 wins – one clear of Danny Shum (29) and Pierre Ng (29) – while Fownes moved into ninth place with the victories of Daily Trophy, Charming Steed and Capital Delight. Emphasising the tight nature of the contest for the trainers’ championship, Hayes, Shum and Ng are closely followed by John Size (27), Ricky Yiu (26), Mark Newnham (26), Francis Lui (25), Frankie Lor (24), Fownes (24), Cody Mo (23) and Tony Cruz (21). “I’m very happy with my team, my mafoos, my riding boys – they’re doing a great job,” Hayes said after teaming with Luke Ferraris to land the Class 4 Po Shek Wu Handicap (1650m) with Precision Goal. “At the moment, we’re winning with older horses. The Ferraris start running soon.” Hayes also successfully linked with Karis Teetan ahead of the Mauritian’s ride on Ka Ying Rising in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on February 23 as the pair landed the first section of the Class 5 Diamond Hill Handicap (1200m) with Falcon Court. “Karis is a top-four jockey in Hong Kong, he’s won trials on Ka Ying Rising and he’s won a race on him, so it was a very easy decision,” Hayes said, referring to Teetan’s booking as a replacement for injured Zac Purton on the champion sprinter. “Karis has helped me in trials, so the stable wanted to help him. He’s already been rewarded now – one ride for one win.” Fownes fired in a race-to-race double with the victories of Daily Trophy and Charming Steed before adding to his haul with Capital Delight, who clinched the Class 2 Tin Chak Handicap (1200m) with a last-stride lunge under Brenton Avdulla. “He’s been a very nice horse for the stable. He’s won at Happy Valley and he’s got a particular liking for the dirt. He’s quite versatile – 1200m up to 1650m – and it was nice to see him just win on the line. We were lucky but we’re very happy,” Fownes said of his stable’s most successful meeting since the Happy Valley fixture on 30 October. Daily Trophy scored his third course and distance victory with a barnstorming finish under Harry Bentley in the first section of the Class 4 Kam Shan Handicap (1200m) before Keagan De Melo – substituting for injured Vincent Ho – drove Charming Steed to success in the Class 4 Silvermine Bay Handicap (1800m). “I asked Keagan if he was available and I gave him a chance. He rode a beautiful race so hopefully he can get some more support and some more winners,” Fownes said. Teetan completed a brace when David Eustace’s Fortune Warrior bolted in with the second section of the Class 4 Kam Shan Handicap (1200m). “Before the race when I took him down to the start, I could feel he was ready. He was in top condition – all credit to David,” said Teetan, who eased down Fortune Warrior – a son of Swiss Ace – over the last 100m. 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer Size struck with Must Go under Andrea Atzeni in the Class 3 Shui Chuen O Handicap (1200m) as the All Too Hard gelding earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million. Formerly trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes in Australia, Must Go collected his third course and distance win at Sha Tin. Dylan Mo slotted his third win of the season as Never Peter Out made it three in a row by winning the Class 3 Green Island Handicap (1650m). By Grunt, Never Peter Out has thrived since being switched to the dirt by Frankie Lor, winning four of his past six starts. Hong Kong International Sale graduate Patch Of Watch broke through for his first victory, scoring in the second section of the Class 5 Diamond Hill Handicap (1200m) for Manfred Man and Britney Wong, who scored her ninth Hong Kong win with a well-judged front-running ride. Horse racing news View the full article

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Suga Steve (Goldencents), a 4-year-old colt catalogued for the Inglis Digital USA February Sale off a three-race winning streak by a combined 16 1/2 lengths, topped the sale Wednesday when purchased for $80,000 by Starry Night Racing's California-based owners Rachel and Sean Gerson. “We're pleased with our first sale of the year,” said Kyle Wilson, Inglis Digital USA's senior director of sales and recruiting. “A good group of clients supported us and the sale finished up with a healthy clearance rate. There was activity at all levels and we look forward to our next sale in March.” The February Sale, which offered 32 horses, closed with an 80% clearance rate, according to officials at Inglis Digital USA. The topper had been trained by Lacey Gaudet for owners Team Gaudet and Penwood Racing. “I had a great first experience working with Inglis Digital USA,” said Gaudet. “We're very pleased with the price and wish the new owners the best of luck. My clients and I are looking forward to using Inglis Digital USA again in the future.” Entries are open for the Inglis Digital USA March Sale through Monday, Mar. 17. The catalogue will be released Mar. 21 with bidding slated for Mar. 26. For more information, whether buying or selling, visit inglisdigitalusa.com. The post Inglis Digital USA February Sale Topped by Suga Steve appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Erik Asmussen's two victories Jan. 31 at Oaklawn Park were noteworthy because they not only represented his first career riding double at the Hot Springs, Ark., track but also his first victories as a journeyman.View the full article

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

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

According to a posting on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) website, trainer Todd Pletcher has had a horse test positive for the banned substance betamethasone. The infraction occurred with the horse Vassimo (Nyquist), who tested positive after breaking his maiden on Dec. 14 at Gulfstream. He subsequently came back and won an allowance at Tampa Bay Downs and is entered to run in Saturday's GII Risen Star S. at Gulfstream. The positive will not affect his status for the Fair Grounds race. Betamethasone, a long-acting corticosteroid with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties, is the same substance that caused so many problems for trainer Bob Baffert. The Baffert-trained Medina Spirit (Protonico) tested positive for the substance after crossing the wire first in the 2021 GI Kentucky Derby. That was among the reasons Baffert was banned by Churchill Downs and was not permitted to enter horses in the Kentucky Derbies of 2022, 2023 and 2024. Churchill lifted the ban in July. Baffert said that the betamethasone used on Medina Spirt was merely an ointment to help heal a skin rash. If the betamethasone positive holds up, the penalty levied against Pletcher will likely be a light one. In November, 2023, trainer Marcus Vitali was fined $500 by HIWU for a betamethasone positive. “We have not been formally charged yet,” said attorney Drew Mollica, who is representing Pletcher. “We are going to consider our options but we deny any violation.” The post Pletcher Horse Tests Positive for Betamethasone appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a sister to Group 1 winner Sea Silk Road (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). 8.0 Chelmsford, Novice, £8,000, 3yo, f, 10f (AWT) MAGICAL TREASURE (IRE) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) debuts for Charlie Appleby in a fascinating contest and takes the eye as a full-sister to the G1 Prix de Royallieu heroine Sea Silk Road (Ire) who cost 575,000gns as a Tattersalls October Book 1 offering. She is joined by the yard's experienced fellow Godolphin representative Pearl Of Hope (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a half-sister to Shamardal's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Victor Ludorum (GB), while Ralph Beckett saddles the unraced Meon Valley homebred Likealot (GB) (Camelot {GB}), a half-sister to the smart group winner Checkandchallenge (GB) (Fast Company {Ire}) descending from the operation's top producer Bella Colora (GB) and foundation mare Reprocolor (GB). The post Sea The Stars Sister To Sea Silk Road Debuts At Chelmsford appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 2024 California-bred Horse of the Year will be announced at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting March 3 at Le Meridien Hotel in Arcadia, Calif.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. In this week's rulings, trainer Peter Miller has been suspended 15 days and fined $2,500 after his trainee Forgiving Spirit tested positive for Tramadol after finishing third at Del Mar Aug. 10 last year. The suspension began on Feb. 7. Tramadol is Class B controlled medication under HISA. It's used as a pain reliever. This was Miller's second resolved Class B controlled medication violation since the advent of HISA's anti-doping and medication control program. Miller has a prior Acepromazine case resolved in September of 2023. Acepromazine-a sedative widely used across U.S. backstretches-is a Class B controlled substance under HISA. Miller has a separate pending Acepromazine violation after his trainee Enjoy it Strait allegedly tested positive for the substance after finishing tenth at Del Mar on Nov. 9 last year. According to HISA's penalty program, because of the penalty points Miller has accumulated, he could be facing a maximum 120-day period of ineligibility and fine of $5,000 for that case. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 02/11/2025 Licensee: Donna Kutt, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Bivol, who finished fifth at Tampa Bay on 12/29/24. Date: 02/11/2025 Licensee: Glenroy Brown, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Tammy's Toy, who won at Mahoning Valley on 12/23/24. Date: 02/07/2025 Licensee: Darlene Green, trainer Penalty: A written Reprimand; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Caffeine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Lookin at Justice, who finished sixth at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 10/10/24. Date: 02/06/2025 Licensee: Christine Hicklin, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500 per violation, for a total fine of $2,000; imposition of 1 Penalty Point per violation, for a total of 4 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: According to the case resolution, HIWU investigators found the following controlled medication substances-Equate ibuprofen tablets containing an unknown liquid, Acepromazine Maleate, Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim, and Regu-mate/Altrenogest-when they conducted a search of Hicklin's stable areas and vehicle at Prairie Meadows. The possession of these substances is in violation of state law, according to the resolution. Date: 02/06/2025 Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 7, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Tramadol-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Forgiving Spirit, who finished third at Del Mar on 8/10/24. Violations of Crop Rule Mahoning Valley Roberto Perez – violation date Feb 6; $250 fine, no other info available Santa Anita Park Manuel Americano – violation date Feb 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension Welfin Orantes – violation date Feb 8; $500 fine, one-day suspension Sunland Park Miguel Fuentes – violation date Feb 6; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings – Feb. 6 -12 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

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