Blood-Horse

The Todd Pletcher barn had a busy morning Jan. 13 with Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) hero Fierceness and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) hopefuls Dynamic One and Grand Aspen turning in works at Palm Beach Downs.

It was a day for favorites at Tampa Bay Downs, as both 1-9 Book'em Danno and 4-5 Mystic Lake scored stakes victories in the Pasco Stakes and Gasparilla Stakes, respectively, Jan. 13.

The first reported foal for 2022 champion 3-year-old male Epicenter arrived Jan. 13 at Twin Creeks Farm near Versailles, Ky., when two-time Saratoga Race Course winner and stakes-placed Peaceful produced a quality filly.

After earning a stakes placing as a 2-year-old last season, Gin Gin opened her 3-year-old campaign with a clear victory in the $97,000 Busanda Stakes Jan. 13 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

An AU$1.4 million colt by Extreme Choice proved too irresistible for big-time international investor Yulong as the curtain came down on Book 1 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Jan. 13.

Due to impending freezing temperatures and snow forecasted, Oaklawn has made the decision to cancel the races on Sunday, Jan. 14.

Top Santa Anita Park older horses National Treasure and Newgrange each worked Saturday towards potential starts in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27.

In a Jan. 13 social media posting Albaugh Family Stables announced that their grade 1-winning mare Juju's Map had produced the first foal for Flightline, the undefeated 2022 Horse of the Year.

Arkansas-bred star Whelen Springs will miss the remainder of the Oaklawn Park meeting that ends May 4 because of a minor injury, John Gasper said Jan. 10. Gasper is racing manager for Arkansas lumberman John Ed Anthony.

Popular international jetsetter Falbrav has died at the age of 26, according to reports in Japan.

Widden principal Antony Thompson believes the decision by leading, Central-Kentucky-based Hill 'n' Dale Farm to invest in the Australian yearling market for the first time will make industry figures from around the world sit up and take notice. 

Crazy Legs Hirsch and My Redemption, both owned by Bush Racing Stable and trained by Tim Kreiser, were impossible for Penn National placing judges to split, dead-heating for first in the second race there Jan. 11.

Arcangelo is the fifth Belmont Stakes (G1) winner to stand at Lane's End since A.P. Indy in 1993. Also new to the farm's stallion roster is three-time grade 1 turf winner Up to the Mark, who has the pedigree to be a dual-surface sire.

Speaking during a meeting of the Arizona Racing Commission Jan. 12, officials expressed optimism that Turf Paradise can remedy deficiencies before a Jan. 19 final inspection, allowing the track to race as scheduled for a meet from Jan. 29-May 4. 

Just Steel will have another chance to secure Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points in Oaklawn Park's $800,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Jan. 27, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Jan. 10.

Turnover was up in 2022 across the operations which form Arena Racing Company but profits fell according to accounts lodged with Companies House this week.

Early nominations for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds to become eligible to compete in the 2024 Triple Crown with a $600 payment are now available to be made online.

Two Kentucky-breds raced in Russia finished 1-2 in an early preview of the Dubai World Cup (G1), fueling the owners' dreams of competing in the big race.

Nonprofit Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that are interested in applying for accreditation during the 2024-25 term must submit the completed application by April 1 at 6 p.m. ET.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame's executive committee has approved changes regarding the institution's Historic Review and Steeplechase Review committees based on feedback received from the committee chairs and members.