Blood-Horse

Ruling there is a question of fact whether Steve Asmussen willfully violated federal wage and hour laws in Kentucky, a federal appeals court vacated a lower court judgment and sent the matter back to the trial court for further handling.

While specific comeback races have yet to be decided, owner Mike Repole has a few primary targets in mind for his two stars, who are about to turn 4 on Jan. 1.

In his 30-year career, Gryder was a multiple graded stakes race winner of over 4,000 races worldwide with over $123 million in purses. In 2009, he won the $6 million Dubai World Cup (G1) on Well Armed by a record 14 lengths.

Though only seven furlongs, the San Vicente has sent seven winners on to victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1), and Bob Baffert has Barnes and Romanesque entered in the Jan. 4 stakes race at Santa Anita Park.

The Travers Stakes (G1) had it all. An exciting matchup. A thrilling finish. A packed house at America's most beloved racetrack. In years to come it will be mentioned as one of the great moments in the long and storied history of Saratoga.

A pending deal would have Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Rich Strike enter stud at Mountain Springs Farm near Palmyra, in Eastern Pennsylvania. A partnership is seeking to acquire the stallion from owner Rick Dawson.

Naughty Rascal, the lone stakes winner in the field, will face two Chad Brown trainees, Treaty of Rome and the undefeated Septarian, owned by Resolute Racing, in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Fenton Forever, his sire's first winner, became Pat On the Back's first stakes winner Dec. 30 in the Wait For It Stakes at Parx Racing.

Keith Haggins is a community engagement officer focused on the Thoroughbred stud and breeding sector for the charity Racing Welfare, which assists workers in the British horse racing industry.

Springboard Mile winner Coal Battle could move into second place on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with a Jan. 4 victory in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

The mother-daughter pairing of Julia and Shelley Birkett have become the first female dual-license holders in Britain and launch their new partnership on New Year's Day when Kodi Red makes his debut for the stable at Fakenham.

Cuyathy's Johannes has emerged from his three-quarter-length win in the $202,000 San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park in good order and will continue his march forward to the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1T) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25.

The Turfway Park Holiday Meet concluded Dec. 28 with rider Gerardo Corrales clinching his sixth title, Mike Maker securing his 23rd training crown and Resolute Racing earning its first leading owner title.

The New York Racing Association announced Dec. 30 that all New York-bred overnight races will be run for purse money equal to their open-company counterparts, effective January 2027.

The all-sources handle was over $50.4 million on the 39 races offered through the first four days of the season.

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., is pleased to announce the arrival of six horses to the farm for their retirement: Count Again, Delaunay, Mission Impazible, Normandy Invasion, Rainbow Heir, and Warrior's Reward.

At the moment, the 1944 Carter Handicap remains the only American stakes that featured a triple-dead-heat for the win spot. But it almost had company. On the first Saturday of May, no less.

Report from Japan

When Kopion pulled off a 37-1 upset in the La Brea Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park, she not only earned her first grade 1 victory but also cemented herself as a leading member on the long honor roll of horses bred by Tall Oaks Farm.

Dylan Davis finishes as NYRA's leading rider, Chad Brown its leading trainer.