Blood-Horse

Led by Citizen Bull and Gaming, the 1-2 finishers in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, at least a half dozen leading 2-year-olds breezed across the country Dec. 28.

Yes Ma'am, a half sister to Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan, is scheduled to make her career debut Dec. 29 in the seventh race at Oaklawn Park, a six-furlong maiden special weight event.

The first race at Gulfstream Park Dec. 28, a one-mile allowance optional claiming turf event for fillies and mares, was declared a 'No Contest' by the track stewards after 3-year-old filly Roscoe Village stumbled and dropped jockey Jorge Ruiz.

Croix du Nord delivered on his promise with a two-length victory in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) Dec. 28 at Nakayama Racecourse.

The 156th edition of the Belmont Stakes (G1) was an unforgettable, first-of-its-kind experience.

Digging in resolutely in the stretch, Take Charge Tom posted a half-length victory in the $40,000 Lost in the Fog Juvenile Stakes Dec. 27 at Turf Paradise to become the first stakes winner for freshman sire Tom's d'Etat.

A shortage of pace in the Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) essentially turned the $100,000, 1 1/8-mile turf race Dec. 27 at Santa Anita Park into a three-furlong test of late-quickening ability, and Mrs. Astor passed with high marks.

The Houston racetrack cut purses due to uncertainty about distribution from a state-run incentive fund. The track also will cut 18 races out of its schedule.

According to SAH Racing, Team Valor International is finalizing details on a private purchase of Quid Pro Quo, who as a juvenile earned Horse of the Year Honors at the KZN Racing Awards.

Trainer Doug O'Neill picked up an elusive victory in the Malibu Stakes (G1) in taking the 77th edition of the sprint for 3-year-olds with Raging Torrent Dec. 26.

Thoroughbred Charities of America will honor Brandon and Diannah Perry with the Allaire du Pont Leadership Award and Beyond the Wire with the Ellen and Herb Moelis Industry Service Award on Sunday, Jan. 12, at Harper Hall in Lexington.

The Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association is once again hosting its annual stallion season auction on Thoroughlybred.com. Bidding will open on Jan. 8, starting at 9 a.m. ET and will close Jan. 12 beginning at 6 p.m. 

The most hopeful runners of Japan's 2-year-old crop tackle the Dec. 28 Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse; the nation's top dirt runners face off the next day in the Tokyo Daishoten (NAR-G1).

In terms of pure speed, there was no better race in 2024 than the Jaipur Stakes (G1T).

The largest opening-day crowd in eight years ushered in Santa Anita Park's 90th year Dec. 26, joining horseplayers around the world in betting on the races with a total all-sources mutuel handle of more than $21.4 million.  

After winning the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1T) in October, Lael Stables' She Feels Pretty notched a follow-up top-level stakes victory in the Dec. 26 American Oaks (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.

Five years after Spendthrift Farm's Omaha Beach landed grade 1 glory in the Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park, the sire's daughter Kopion brought home the holiday cheer with a commanding victory Dec. 26 in the La Brea Stakes (G1).

Merriebelle Stable and Resolute Racing's grade/group 1-winning turf mare Didia, who was being pointed to a title defense in the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) next month, will not make that event.

Flavien Prat broke Jerry Bailey's 19-year-old record for graded stakes wins in a season, scoring his 56th aboard King of Gosford in the Mathis Mile Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park. Also Thursday, Johannes took the San Gabriel Stakes (G2T).

Merriebelle Stable and Resolute Racing's grade/group 1-winning turf mare Didia, who was being pointed to a title defense in the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) next month, has been retired.