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Updated: 2 weeks 11 hours ago

Mystic Lake Tops Florida-Bred Champions, Named Horse of the Year

Mon, 2025-05-12 20:29

The 2024 Florida-bred champions were honored at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) Awards Gala Monday night, and MGSW Mystic Lake (Mo Town) topped them all as she was crowned the Florida-bred Horse of the Year.

In addition to taking home top prize, the filly also claimed the champion 3-year-old filly and female sprinter titles after assembling a 2024 resume which included wins in the GIII Miss Preakness Stakes and the GII Charles Town Oaks as well as three Listed/Black-type races.

Mystic Lake's breeder Peggy Costanzo was presented with the 2024 Needles Award which recognizes the Small Breeder of the Year in Florida. The Florida Breeder of the Year title went to Marilyn Campbell's Stonehedge LLC for the fifth time since the operation was first honored in 1997. Stonehedge boasted 2024 earnings of over $2.9-million with 33 wins, 67 seconds, and 67 thirds from 601 starts.

Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation was named leading owner of Florida-breds for the seventh time after first garnering the honor in 2011. They took home the trophy for the 2024 champion older male and male turf horse, Forever Souper (American Pharoah). Undefeated Rated by Merit (Battalion Runner), whose name had been tossed around in conversations centered around the major Spring classics at one point, took home the title for champion juvenile colt.

For a record fifth consecutive year, Khozan was named Florida Stallion of the Year with progeny earnings of over $5.6-million, surpassing Montbrook and Wildcat Heir with four each. He stood the 2024 season at Journeyman Stud and the 2025 season at Ocala Stud.

A full list of the winners is below:

Horse of the Year: Mystic Lake
Champion 2-year-old Filly: Nooni (Win Win Win)
Champion 2-year-old Colt: Rated By Merit
Champion 3-year-old Filly: Mystic Lake
Champion 3-year-old Colt: Bentornato (Valiant Minister)
Champion Older Male: Forever Souper
Champion Older Female: Spirit Wind (Bahamian Squall)
Champion Turf Male: Forever Souper
Champion Turf Female: Dancing N Dixie (Neolithic)
Champion Male Sprinter: Bentornato
Champion Female Sprinter: Mystic Lake
Stallion of the Year: Khozan
Broodmare of the Year: Points of Grace (Point of Entry)
Leading Freshman Sire/Juvenile Sire: Win Win Win
Small Breeder of the Year: Peggy Costanzo
Breeder of the Year: Stonehedge LLC
Leading Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Leading Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Joseph M. O'Farrell Memorial Award: Tom McCrocklin & Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield

The post Mystic Lake Tops Florida-Bred Champions, Named Horse of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Derby Runner-Up Journalism Favored at 8-5 From Gate 2 In 150th Preakness

Mon, 2025-05-12 19:45

Having been committed to the race just 24 hours earlier and in the absence of GI Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief), Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Derby runner-up Journalism (Curlin) was made the 8-5 favorite on Dan Illman's morning line for Saturday's 150th running of the $2-million GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. He was assigned post position two during Monday's draw at the Guiness Open Gate Brewery.

The $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga acquisition was given a terrific steer in the Derby by Umberto Rispoli at Churchill Downs, working his way into the clear at about halfway before launching a rally that carried him into the lead in upper stretch. Sovereignty was close in tow, however, and won the final-furlong dash for the roses. After carefully observing his colt's training over the course of the last several days, trainer Michael McCarthy, who saddled Rombauer (Twirling Candy) to win the 2021 Preakness, gave him the green light, and Journalism is expected on the Pimlico backstretch on Tuesday following a van ride up from Louisville.

Journalism is one of three to move on from the Derby into the Preakness, and he will be joined by GI Arkansas Derby hero Sandman (Tapit), beaten just over a dozen lengths into seventh in the Churchill slop and he too was a later addition to the Preakness field. He has drawn the seven hole.

“Obviously you don't want to be the one (post). It worked for War of Will, it worked for American Pharaoh,” said trainer Mark Casse, who saddled War of Will for a Preakness victory in 2019. “Look, Journalism is definitely the horse to beat, he has already proven that. We don't know how he is going to react to the two weeks, we don't know how it will be for us.”

Co-owner Griffin Johnson was present for the post position draw after abandoning prior commitments of his own to experience the event.

“I was supposed to be at a wedding, but I got a call on Saturday from Mark [Casse] and he said, 'We're going to run him.' I was excited. I love to see him run. That's my favorite thing about Sandman; I like to show up and support him and watch him do his work. I'm happy to be here,” Johnson said.

The third of the Derby alumnus is Virginia Derby winner American Promise (Justify), who endured a rough trip when 16th in the Derby. He will try to give Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas back-to-back runnings of the Preakness after Seize the Grey (Arrogate) caused a front-running upset 12 months ago. He'll line up just to the outside of the favorite in three.

'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music), a latest third in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, passed the Derby and lands here as the 9-2 third choice, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. the pilot from gate six. Fellow 'Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time) wheels back on two weeks' rest, having won an allowance on the Derby undercard. Flavien Prat, aboard the aforementioned Rombauer, rides the 6-1 gamble.

“Once you draw, you can't think about it. Last time I drew the one here was with American Pharaoh. I drew the one with Lookin At Lucky. The one hole is not as bad here as it would be in the Derby,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “He is not as fast as these other horses on paper, but I think he is a good horse. I really thought he was a better fit than Rodriguez would have been.”

Clever Again (American Pharoah) is a veteran of just three starts and exits a four-length defeat of subsequent GII Pat Day Mile third Gaming (Game Winner) in the Hot Springs Stakes Mar. 30. Two-time Preakness winner Steve Asmussen saddles the 5-1 chance, who will be ridden for pace from a wide draw in eight. Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.) makes the trans-Atlantic journey for trainer Jamie Osborne, who once again goes to daughter Saffie Osborne for the ride. He was a very tough second in the G2 UAE Derby at Meydan when last seen Apr. 5.

Local trainer Mike Gorham saddles his first Preakness runner in the form of Pay Billy (Improbable), who earned his ticket to the second leg of the Triple Crown courtesy of his victory in the Federico Tesio Stakes, which offered the winner a guaranteed spot in the Preakness field.

“I'm real happy with it,” said trainer Michael Gorham. “That's what I was hoping for–4, 5 or 6. I didn't want to be down on the rail in the 1 or 2, and I didn't want to be on the far outside. I think it worked out pretty good. I think we'll get him out of there running and try to get a spot. You don't want to get caught too far back. He has a little tactical speed. He can be forwardly placed. We've got to get into the turn in a good spot, not too far off the lead but have something to run at.”

Similarly, Gosger (Nyquist) becomes a first Preakness starter for Brendan Walsh, who will give a leg up to Luis Saez. The colt exits a win in Keeneland's GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Apr. 12.

Saturday, Pimlico Race Course

PREAKNESS S.-GI, $2,000,000, 3yo, 1 3/16m

HORSE (SIRE), JOCKEY, TRAINER, ML

1 Goal Oriented (Not This Time), Baffert, Prat, 6-1

2 Journalism (Curlin), McCarthy, Rispoli, 8-5

3 American Promise (Justify), Lukas, Juarez, 15-1

4 Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), J Osborne, S Osborne, 12-1

5 Pay Billy (Improbable), Gorham, Mena, 20-1

6 River Thames (Maclean's Music), Pletcher, Ortiz, Jr, 9-2

7 Sandman (Tapit), Casse, Velazquez, 4-1

8 Clever Again (American Pharoah), Asmussen, Ortiz, 5-1

9 Gosger (Nyquist), Walsh, Saez, 20-1

 

 

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Nominations Open for 10th Annual Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

Mon, 2025-05-12 16:20

Nominations for the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards in North America are now being accepted through midnight Monday, July 14, Godolphin announced via press release Monday afternoon.

Created to recognize the hardworking industry employees which make the sport run, equivalent awards are given in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain, and France. Godolphin is the principle sponsor in association with The Jockey Club; the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association; the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; and the Breeders' Cup for the American program.

Cash prizes totaling $124,000 will be awarded to winners and two finalists in a total of seven categories as well as monetary awards going to two runners-up. The awards are the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award; Katherine McKee Administration Award; Dedication to Breeding Award; Dedication to Racing Award; Newcomer Award; Support Services Award; and Managerial Award.

The TIEA also announced Kentucky Downs/KHBPA as the Travel Sponsor for the program. The sponsorship will assist in covering the costs of transportation and accommodation of the finalists to Kentucky in October.

“It's hard to believe that we are in the 10th year of these wonderful awards,” said Katie LaMonica, charities manager of Godolphin USA. “We are so thankful to the entire Thoroughbred industry who have graciously embraced the TIEAs since day one and have been so helpful in recognizing our hardworking industry employees. Please make sure to help us celebrate “Ten Years of TIEA” and nominate today!”

For more information, please contact the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards on (859) 977-4655 or email info@tiea.org.

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Sandman Picks Up John Velazquez for Preakness, Clever Again Goes Easy Half at Churchill

Mon, 2025-05-12 15:10

GISW Sandman (Tapit) has picked up the services of John Velazquez for his anticipated start in Preakness 150, who will replace Jose Ortiz due to another commitment for the contest.

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse promised he'd have a Hall of Fame rider for his grey son of Tapit, and a legend he has procured. Velazquez will be replacing Jose Ortiz, who had the mount in the Derby, as Ortiz has a prior commitment aboard Clever Again (American Pharoah) for trainer Steve Asmussen.

The Triple Crown trail has been kind to the Hall of Famer in the last several years, as he claimed the middle jewel for the first time in 2023 aboard MGISW National Treasure (Quality Road); won the Derby in 2020 with MGISW Authentic (Into Mischief) and placed second in the Preakness with that colt; and in total has had 13 prior mounts in the Maryland marquee race. Sandman will be start 14 for Velazquez.

“Johnny is a strong rider, and Sandman needs a strong rider,” Casse said. “I think he will fit hm perfectly. One thing you will find about the good riders–the Irads [Ortiz], the Joses, the Juniors [Alvarado], the [Joel] Rosarios, the Johnnys…they all know what every horse is going to be doing. That is what they do. The only thing I can do by giving instructions is mess it up.”

Sandman was given Monday morning off and is scheduled to board a van at Churchill Downs bound for Pimlico at 3:00 p.m. before his anticipated arrival on grounds between 4-5:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, Casse said. The trainer will arrive from Ocala sometime in the afternoon the same day, but New York assistant trainer Shane Tripp will also be in Baltimore and will serve as the exercise rider.

“We decided to give Sandman an easy day because it's a ship of 12 hours or so. He is doing great.”

The grey will walk Tuesday and train at a later determined time over the next three days. He will be one of three Kentucky Derby runners to return for the Preakness. The anticipated favorite Journalism (Curlin)–who was the runner-up last weekend–and American Promise (Justify), finishing 16th, are the other pair.

“Obviously, Journalism is the horse to beat,” Casse said. “He ran really well in the Derby and you know Wayne [Lukas, trainer of American Promise] is always tough. It looks like there will be a decent amount of speed in the race, and that is good for us.”

Clever Again Goes an Easy Half

Clever Again had an easy half-mile work in :50.40 at Churchill Downs Monday morning. It was the 32nd fastest of 40 on the morning, but it was what the team wanted to see.

“Just a maintenance work,” said assistant Scott Blasi, who oversees Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen's Churchill Downs division. “We really like how he's doing. We thought a lot of him the whole time. We're excited about running him.”

“The horse is happy. His ears are forward, moving fluidly.”

And so they arrive…

The Preakness arrivals are scheduled to begin in increasing frequency within the coming days as 'TDN Rising Stars' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), River Thames (Maclean's Music), and Journalism as well as automatic entry earner Pay Billy (Improbable) are all expected to ship Tuesday.

The latter most will be vanning in with stablemates MSP Moon Cache (Mosler)–who is entered in the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Friday–and Chipotle (Mitole), who will contest the Listed Chick Lang Stakes on the Saturday undercard.

“[Pay Billy] galloped a mile and a half, just a regular gallop to kind of stretch his legs a little bit. Everything is good,” trainer Michael Gorham said. “It's going to be an exciting week. We're looking forward to it.”

Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.) cleared quarantine Sunday and had a light training session Monday morning prior to being shipped over to Baltimore. American Promise is scheduled to arrive Monday afternoon.

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Preakness 150 Partners with Equine MediRecord Again to Aid Welfare Protocols

Mon, 2025-05-12 14:00

Partnering once again with Equine MediRecord (EMR) and Business Infusions (BI), 1/ST will utilize their services to digitize equine welfare protocols for Preakness 150 and will have EMR representatives on site to ease the learning process, it was revealed in a press release from the group Monday afternoon.

The added measure aims to enhance the equine health and safety protocols that will be in place for the contest May 17. The platform allows for the full veterinary history of the horse to be collected digitally and securely stored, and will be mandatory for all entrants. EMR will provide all trainers and veterinarians with a user-friendly system to comply with the medication protocols for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. Information integrity is ensured through the use of unique algorithms in the EMR technology.

Once records are entered into the system, they cannot be changed. Results are submitted digitally to designated regulators and officials to allow transparency of vet records. To prevent double entry of information, BI has integrated their HVMS veterinary practice management system–the largest in the world–to ensure the required data for the welfare protocols can go to the multiple mandated racing officials to be cleared. One such integration allows vets to send required medical records directly to HISA through HVMS, further reducing the need for double entry in order to remain compliant with HISA rules.

“The partnership established with Equine MediRecord earlier this year proved to be a highly useful and successful tool to further protect the safety and well-being of horses,” said Dr. Dionne Benson, chief veterinary officer, 1/ST. “The inclusion of this technology and data collection as part of Preakness 150 is another measure available to us to enforce the standards of integrity and accountability that have become synonymous with 1/ST RACING.”

The Ireland-based Equine MediRecord has amassed a noteworthy list of clients and users, including the Breeders' Cup World Championships; The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia; Racing Victoria; British Horseracing Authority; Hong Kong Jockey Club; and the Arabian Racing Organization. For more information on Equine MediRecord, go here.

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Buyers Assemble! Lionel Offers ‘Blue Sky’ On Fasig-Tipton Digital

Mon, 2025-05-12 14:00

With a soft ping that sounds like a digital chef's kiss, another bid is in for Fasig-Tipton's May Sale online.

The diverse catalogue might be conducted via fiber, but the horse flesh here is once again bona fide as the platform continues to set a virtual ring standard.

One of the more intriguing hips you will find among the lots is no. 122. Holding down that page we find 3-year-old Lionel (Authentic–Sweetgrass, by Street Sense). The colt broke his maiden at first asking by an eye-catching 9 1/2 lengths at Laurel Park May 4.

The hot prospect is owned collectively by 'The Avengers' whose real identities you know as SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan.

Consigned by ELiTE Sales, the ownership group opted to sell Lionel through Fasig-Tipton's portal because it allows the colt to stay in-training at Brittany Russell's Laurel base.

Lionel breaks his maiden at Laurel | Jim McCue

“We think it is very exciting to have a horse with so much potential like Lionel on the platform,” said Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “It really shows that Bradley [Weisbrod] and the ELiTE team have faith and confidence in our digital sales platform. It's obviously the safest way to sell a horse, so they can stay in their own stall and not break their routine.”

ELiTE's Sales Director and Coordinator Katelyn Jackson said their boutique consignment has had luck when it comes to digital sales. She added that the Fasig-Tipton process is seamless since shipping to any given brick and mortar auction can take at least a week out of a horse of racing age's schedule.

“Lionel is the prime sort of candidate for a digital sale because he is being offered by some very game sellers,” Jackson said. “They're looking to capitalize on his recent form, and it also gives future connections and buyers the chance to own a horse who clearly has a lot of blue sky ahead. So, bringing him to the digital market is an opportunity to reward both sides.”

The lightly-raced dark bay with one star under his belt is by second-crop sire Authentic, who Jackson said is putting his stamp on types that are getting better the farther they go over a route of ground.

LIONEL ($3.80) makes his debut a winning one in the 7th at @LaurelPark. @JevianToledo was up on the colt by Authentic (@spendthriftfarm) for trainer @BTRracingstable. @StarlightRacing | @MadaketStables | @TomRyanKY pic.twitter.com/PZ0ipLnEed

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 4, 2025

“With that 78 Beyer, 4 3/4 Thoro-Graph and 13 Ragozin he posted at Laurel, moving forward potential owners can take advantage of all the 3-year-old restricted stakes and summer Derbies like in Indiana, West Virginia and Oklahoma,” she said. “There's just so much purse money up for grabs with this one.

Through the niche platform that Fasig-Tipton has built, Jackson said there is always the option for the colt to stay with his Maryland-based trainer after the sale is complete.

“In the past, ELiTE has sold the likes of Newgrange, Carmel Road, Coppola and Tarantino,” Jackson said. “We see the same kind of potential for Lionel to become a stakes-caliber horse and are excited to see what the future holds for him.”

With a steady diet of pings ahead, the Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale wraps in the late afternoon on Tuesday, May 13.

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Scott Jordan Appointed NYRA Head Starter

Mon, 2025-05-12 13:22

Pending relevant licensing, Scott Jordan will take over the post of head starter at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks beginning May 23, the organization announced Monday afternoon.

With more than 20 years of experience in the position and a tenure at Churchill Downs which began in 2006, Jordan has also worked roles at Keeneland, Ellis Park, and Kentucky Downs. In addition to managing NYRA's team of assistant starters and starting gate operations at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga, he will also work with trainers and riders to aide in gate training in the mornings.

“Scott Jordan's vast experience and knowledge made him the ideal candidate for this position, which is vitally important to NYRA's racing operations,” said NYRA senior vice president, Racing & Operations Andrew Offerman. “Beyond his skills in and around the starting gate, Scott is a proven leader dedicated to enhancing safety and preserving the integrity of racing.”

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Promising Into Mischief Colt Poulsen Updates Pedigree at Tokyo

Mon, 2025-05-12 11:59

The promising Poulsen (Into Mischief) snapped a baby two-race losing streak in the Seiryu Stakes (allowance) over the Tokyo one-turn mile on May 10, accounting for the talented filly Promised Gene (Jpn) (Nadal) in a tight finish.

The colt, bought back as a weanling at Keeneland November and pinhooked for $925,000 at OBS April after fetching $350,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, made the most of three appearances at two, scoring on two occasions, and was not beaten far when fourth in his two tries this season, including a 1400-meter test at Hanshin on Apr. 6.

Trying a mile for the first time as the distant second choice in the wagering at 47-10 behind Promised Gene–a running-on second to GI Kentucky Derby participant Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) in the Listed Hyacinth Stakes over the course and distance in February–Poulsen broke very alertly beneath Christophe Lemaire and made the running through comfortable sectionals. Still going evenly on the turn, he was shaken up entering the final furlong and proved a neck better than Promised Gene. The 2-5 favorite was slowly into stride, as she was in the Hyacinth, but finished up strongly to miss narrowly before galloping out past the winner. Poulsen is the third straight winner of this often-productive event by a U.S.-based stallion, following on from Yuttitham (Jpn) (Justify) in 2023 and Sonic Star (Into Mischief) last year.

Co-breeder Hunter Valley Farm purchased 2017 GI Frizette Stakes and 2018 GI Test Stakes heroine Separationofpowers for $2.1 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale and Poulsen is her lone starter. His juvenile full-sister, who was bought back for $500,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, is set to be offered as hip 375 at the same auction house's Midlantic 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale at Timonium next week through Scanlon Training & Sales, which also sold Poulsen at OBS April last spring. Separationofpowers produced a filly by Not This Time this past Feb. 28 and is currently in foal to Nyquist.

10th-Tokyo, Seiryu Stakes (Allowance), ¥34,540,000 ($233,076), 3yo, 1600m, 1:35.6, my.
POULSEN (c, 3, Into Mischief–Separationofpowers {MGISW, $964,000}, by Candy Ride {Arg}) Sales history: $535,000 RNA Wlg '22 KEENOV; $350,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG; $925,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-0, $306,243.
O-Naohiro Sakaguchi; B-Hunter Valley & Mountmellick Farm LLC (KY); T-Makoto Saito.

WATCH: Poulsen (#7) returns to winning ways

 

 

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Keeneland Library Summer Lecture Series Begins May 21

Mon, 2025-05-12 10:49

Keeneland Library's Lecture Series continues this summer with public events that celebrate recently published works about Thoroughbred racing whose authors conducted research at the facility.

The series kicks off May 21 with Diane Crump and Mark Shrager discussing Diane Crump: A Horse-racing Pioneer's Life in the Saddle. It continues June 18 with “Celebrating 25 Years: An Evening with The Saratoga Special“; July 16 with Andy Plattner discussing Stymie and it concludes Aug. 20 with Catharine Melin-Moser discussing When Montana Outraced the East: The Rise of Western Thoroughbreds 1886-1900.

All events will be held at Keeneland Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET. Each program will be followed by a reception and book signing, and a limited number of books will be available for purchase. To purchase tickets, visit Keeneland.com/library or call 859-254-3412.

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NTRA Lobbies for RACE Act

Mon, 2025-05-12 10:33

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is actively supporting the Regulation Advancement for Capital Enhancement (RACE) Act of 2025, the organized announced in a press release Monday. Introduced by congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) earlier this month, the a bill aims to simplify the registration process required by the Securities and Exchange Commission in order to allow more Americans to invest in the industry through fractional ownership of Thoroughbred racehorses.

“Thanks to companies like MyRacehorse, thousands of people across the country get to experience the excitement of owning a winning horse,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “Thoroughbred racing is America's best and oldest sport, and we need to encourage more people to get involved. We can't penalize individuals and companies interested in fractional participation due to excessive federal regulations. The RACE Act is one way we can ensure that more people can participate in the sport of racing. Fractional ownership models similar to MyRacehorse and others have only grown in popularity in the U.S., especially since last year's Preakness, and have been prevalent in other major racing hubs like Japan and Australia partially because they give fans who might not otherwise be able to own a racehorse another avenue to connect with the sport.”

Congressman Barr added, “The RACE Act removes unnecessary regulatory barriers so more Americans can invest in the future of horseracing. This legislation is about modernizing capital markets, supporting Kentucky jobs, and preserving the heritage of the sport we love. At a time when the industry needs revitalization, this bill gives companies the tools to innovate and grow.”

Click here to view the entire bill which was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services May 1.

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Rain Delay: Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Under-Tack Show to Begin Wednesday

Mon, 2025-05-12 09:35

The under-tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale has been pushed back a day and will now begin Wednesday due to forecasted rain in the Timonium area Tuesday. The three-day under tack show will now take place Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with each session beginning at 8 a.m.

Under the new schedule, hips 1-200 will breeze Wednesday, hips 201-400 on Thursday, and hips 401-586 on Friday.

“We want to ensure the best and most consistent conditions possible for our under tack show,” said Midlantic Director of Sales Paget Bennett.

The Midlantic May sale will be held next Monday and Tuesday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. Bidding begins each day at 11 a.m.

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Monmouth Park Sets Mother’s Day Attendance Record

Sun, 2025-05-11 18:36

Monmouth Park set a Mother's Day attendance record Sunday when a crowd of 14,687 turned out to support a 10-race card. The New Jersey track's previous Mother's Day record attendance of 14,121 was set in 2015. The total handle for the day was $4,144,072.

“We appreciate the turnout by our fans to help make Mother's Day a special afternoon at Monmouth Park,” said Bill Anderson, the track's president and chief operating officer. “It's always nice to see a big crowd and a festive atmosphere like we had today.”

A year ago, Monmouth Park had the second largest Father's Day crowd in track history with 28,976 in attendance. The track's record Father's Day crowd of 29,262 was set in 2015.

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Journalism Confirmed for Preakness

Sun, 2025-05-11 18:15

Journalism (Curlin), runner-up in the GI Kentucky Derby, will contest the GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Saturday, co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners confirmed in a tweet Sunday night.

“Journalism has been grand since the Kentucky Derby and [trainer] Michael McCarthy has green-lighted him to head to Pimlico Race Course for the 150th Preakness Stakes,” the tweet read. “We look forward to showcasing Journalism's talents in Baltimore in such a coveted American Classic with Umberto Rispoli set to ride.”

After watching Journalism train Sunday morning at Churchill Downs, McCarthy said, “I thought he looked very good. I didn't see a whole lot of difference. He's a horse that carries a lot of substance, a lot of condition. He looked very, very good this morning.”

Journalism opened 2025 with a win in the Mar. 1 GII San Felipe Stakes and followed up with a win in the Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. He came up 1 1/2 lengths short of Sovereignty (Into Mischief) as the Kentucky Derby favorite May 3.

Journalism will likely ship to Pimlico Tuesday, McCarthy said.

Journalism has been grand since the @KentuckyDerby and @mwmracing has green-lighted him to head to @PimlicoRC for the 150th @PreaknessStakes! We look forward to showcasing Journalism's talents in Baltimore in such a coveted American Classic w @umbyrispoli set to ride #BelieveBig pic.twitter.com/46glTeh0gF

— Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (@EclipseTBP) May 11, 2025

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The Week in Review: Three Strikes and You’re Out $62,000

Sun, 2025-05-11 15:22

The GI Kentucky Derby has long been billed as the most exciting two minutes in sports. After a series of lawsuits involving America's signature horse race over the last six years, it might be more precise to start referring to it as the most litigated two minutes in sports.

The week between the first two legs of this year's Triple Crown began with the connections of Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) opting out of the GI Preakness Stakes based on the assessment by trainer Bill Mott and owner/breeder Godolphin that skipping Saturday's race in Baltimore would be in the colt's best interest. Rather than wheel back two weeks after the Derby, Sovereignty will now be pointed for the June 7 GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.

After several days of re-ignited public debate about whether the Triple Crown race spacing needs to be adjusted to meet the modern “less is more” template for training top-level Thoroughbreds, the week closed with the news that Sovereignty's jockey, Junior Alvarado, is facing a $62,000 fine and two-day suspension for allegedly violating the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rule for using his whip two times above the six-strike limit when winning the Derby.

Delivered via late-day Friday news dump in the form of a ruling posted to the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation (KHRGC) website, chief state steward Barbara Borden, state steward Brooks “Butch” Becraft, and Churchill Downs steward Tyler Picklesimer signed off on the penalties. The rule infraction is HISA-based, but the local stewards are in charge of interpreting and reporting purported violations of it.

Because news had broken earlier in the week that Alvarado had been asked to appear at a Thursday stewards' hearing to discuss his Derby whip use, the ruling wasn't a complete shock.

But what was unexpected was the severity of the penalty. Because of a previous one-strike-over-the-limit whip infraction that Alvarado had incurred within the past 180 days (on Dec. 1, 2024, while, coincidentally, also winning a race for Mott at Churchill), HISA Rule 2283 (c)(1) mandated the doubling of what otherwise would have been a $31,000 financial hit (10% of the winning purse) and a one-day suspension.

The super-sized fine is believed to be the second-largest monetary penalty ever imposed on a United States jockey.

Put another way, that's three strikes over the limit (within five months on two different mounts)  and you're out $62,000.

Alvarado is considering an appeal. “As everybody can see, it's unfair the penalties we're facing,” he told Daily Racing Form's Dave Grening Saturday.

So where exactly does Alvarado's $62,000 fine stand compared to recent penalizations of jockeys?

The highest financial penalty handed down to an American jockey is believed to be the $100,000 fine (and five-year suspension) imposed upon the late Roman Chapa by the Texas Racing Commission after a finish-line photograph showed him holding an illegal electrical horse shocking device while winning a stakes race at Sam Houston Race Park in 2015.

On the lower end of the scale–but for an act that most racetrackers would consider far more egregious than hitting a horse eight times in a race–contrast that penalty to the $100 fine that the stewards at Mountaineer Park imposed upon jockey Jose A. Leon in 2023 after multiple licensees testified that Leon dismounted from an unruly horse and intentionally struck it across the face with his whip during morning training.

Alvarado further told Grening that–like most rational people who are averse to long, drawn-out processes involving lawyers, but also want to fight for what they believe in–“I would like to just get it over with and put it behind me. I don't want to carry this one extra day, but at the same time I don't want to give up that easily like they were right.”

Past performances suggest that Alvarado's appeal process is likely to take quite a while to play out.

He can first contest his HISA charges before an internal adjudication panel. A secondary step would be to appeal to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). A third option might be litigation in the court system.

Every year since 2019, there have been lawsuits in the pipeline related to several Kentucky Derby outcomes.

The connections of Maximum Security unsuccessfully tried to sue the Kentucky racing commission that year over an in-race foul disqualification in a case that lingered in the courts until 2020.

The 2021 Derby yielded the medication-related disqualification of Medina Spirit, and trainer Bob Baffert's subsequent banishment by Churchill Downs and his penalization by the Kentucky commission spawned a three-year series of largely fruitless legal actions that lasted until just before the 2024 Derby.

The prediction here is that Alvarado's case will at least make it to the FTC appeal level.

If it does, his odds of success will get a significant boost if the case gets assigned to chief administrative law judge D. Michael Chappell, who has already twice ruled in favor of a single jockey, the New Mexico-based jockey Oscar Ceballos, the only rider so far to have HISA penalties related to a more-than-six-strikes whipping violation wiped off his record.

Ceballos's two cases dating from 2022 and 2024 (11 total strikes in each instance) were different in that he argued (and the administrative law judge agreed) that the over-the-limit hits were used for safety or to control a dangerous situation.

Alvarado, by contrast, indicated in several published interviews last week that some of his striking motions with the whip never even made contact with Sovereignty, and that those actions were meant to encourage the colt without actually hitting him.

HISA's rules explicitly permit that type of action, stating, “A jockey may show or wave the crop to the Covered Horse without physically contacting the Covered Horse.”

Although those circumstances are different from Ceballos's two overturned rulings, the administrative law judge did write in the 2024 reversal that, “The burden of proof is on the Authority to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the covered person has violated a rule issued by the Authority.”

According to Alvarado's version of the May 8 hearing that was conducted via Zoom, the three Churchill stewards couldn't–or wouldn't–tell him exactly at which points in the race he hit Sovereignty with the allegedly over-the-limit strikes.

As Grening reported: “Alvarado said that during his meeting with the stewards, he tried to point out the two times where he swung but did not make contact with the horse, but got no response from the three stewards.”

Alvarado told the Form, “They didn't argue that I did, they stayed silent. They made me count the times that I had contact with the horse. When I asked [them] if they could count where they think I had contact, they didn't.”

The HISA whipping rule does give stewards flexibility to determine if “the merits of an individual case warrant consideration of an aggravating or mitigating factor.”

None were listed on Alvarado's ruling, though.

For background, HISA's six-strike rule that went into effect in 2022 was partially modeled after similar regulations approved in Kentucky in 2021.

At the time of the passage of those state rules, Borden was not silent about a revised penalty structure that gave stewards leeway to employ common sense in meting out fines and suspensions.

“There are many times we struggle with the mandatory penalties that are scattered throughout our regulations and don't always give us discretion when we feel like we need it,” Borden said at a meeting of the Kentucky commission's rules committee back on May 3, 2021.

Ironically, Borden expressed that sentiment about the need for discretion exactly four years prior to the date of Alvarado's winning ride on Sovereignty that netted him a mandatory $62,000 HISA fine.

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Goal Oriented Works for Preakness

Sun, 2025-05-11 14:51

Goal Oriented (Not This Time) tuned up for his expected stakes debut in the GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course next Saturday with a four-furlong drill in :47.60 (4/35) at Churchill Downs Sunday. Churchill clockers caught the colt going the first quarter of a mile in :23 3/5 and galloping out five-eighths of a mile in 1:01 1/5 with exercise rider Eric Garcia in the saddle.

“He went a half really easily,” said trainer Bob Baffert, who will be looking to extend his record of eight Preakness victories. “He did it on his own, just cruising around there. That's all he needed. He was nice and relaxed. Looks like the race didn't take too much out of him. I just wanted a little maintenance work. I just wanted to see how he handled it. He's only had two outs, and you want to see how it affects them mentally. Some horses get a little bit uptight or tense and nervous. He handled it like a pro. He's got a great mind.”

Tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his six-furlong debut win Apr. 6 at Santa Anita, the $425,000 Keeneland September purchase followed up with a 1 1/16-mile allowance win at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 3.

Goal Oriented will be making just his third lifetime start and starting at his third different track in Saturday's Preakness.

“It's asking a lot,” Baffert said. “But I've always been really high on this horse. He's a big, strong horse. He's handled everything thrown at him. He's shipped, he won. Justify won the GI Santa Anita Derby third out. I'm not comparing him to Justify, but he's a big, strong horse like Justify. I think he can handle it.”

While connections of GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism (Curlin) were still mulling the decision to send the colt to the Preakness, Baffert said, “Journalism is the key horse,” before adding jokingly, “He should wait for the Belmont. Have a showdown with Sovereignty and get his revenge, right?”

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Leinster’s Lennilu Punches Ticket To Ascot In Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies

Sat, 2025-05-10 15:56

Lennilu (Leinster), who beat both Kadabra (Good Magic) and Chambourcin (Copper Bullet), both return winners in recent days, in her Apr. 6 Keeneland slop debut took another step forward in her stakes debut over this turf course. Partnered by Luis Saez, she bumped into Satisfied Mind (First Samurai) leaving the gate before forcing the pace in the early stages. The 4-5 favorite in a field of 11 took over from Satisfied Mind turning for home and readily kicked clear from the rallying debutante Bibi Dahl to prevail by 3 3/4 lengths. By winning this, she punched a ticket to her connections choice of six juvenile races at  June's Royal Ascot Meeting. Her automatic berth includes a $25,000 travel stipend.

“Luis loved her from the day he rode her at Keeneland. He said he wanted to ride her at Ascot and I said, 'Easy, we have to do one stop at Gulfstream first,'” said winning trainer Patrick Biancone. “She's a machine. She's very relaxed.  She traveled to Keeneland, it was bad weather. She shed-rowed two days, jogged one day and ran like a monster. The father [Leinster] was a very good sprinter on turf so I had a lot of confidence in her coming into this race. The plan all along was to get to Ascot. That's why so many partners joined in for that trip.”

Saez added: “She's a very nice filly. She broke from there well [and] put herself in a good position. At the top of the stretch she was a little green first time on turf, but she's got a lot of ability. I had a lot of horse at the end. I was pretty confident after I rode at Keeneland. She won that race very professionally. I had a lot of horse left that day, too. Now I'm looking forward to going to Ascot. That's why we came here today.”

Lennilu, along with the colt Squire, is one of two early season winners and the first stakes winner for her freshman sire Leinster (Majestic Warrior), who set the course record over 5 1/2 furlongs on the Keeneland turf when taking the 2020 GII Shakertown Stakes. Later that season, Leinster finished third in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Squire, victorious in an Apr. 18 maiden here on the main track, lines up in the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes later on Gulfstream Park's Saturday card.  Lennilu's winning dam is a half-sister to Disco Partner (Disco Rico), MGSW, $1,487,560. Lulu's Pom Pom is yet to produce a foal since Lennilu and was bred to Magic On Tap for this term.

ROYAL PALM JUVENILE FILLIES S., $100,000, Gulfstream, 5-10, 2yo, f, 5fT, :56.99, fm.
1–LENNILU, 121, f, 2, by Leinster
            1st Dam: Lulu's Pom Pom, by Pomeroy
            2nd Dam: Lulu's Number, by Numerous
            3rd Dam: Mary Lou's Magic, by Concorde's Tune
($23,000 Ylg '24 OBSWIN). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Amy &
Caitlin Dunne, Brenda Miley, Jean Wilkinson, Hoffman Family
Racing LLC, Tranquility Lake Farm LLC, Maury & Christopher K.
Harrington; B-Helen & Joseph Barbazon (FL); T-Patrick L.
Biancone; J-Luis Saez. $47,500. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0,
$81,615.
2–Bibi Dahl, 118, f, 2, American Pharoah–Just Louise, by Five
Star Day. ($1,350,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE.
O-Amo Racing USA; B-Springhouse Farm (KY); T-Jorge Delgado.
$20,900.
3–Strada Del Sogno, 118, f, 2, Street Boss–Line Up, by Violence.
($25,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Sport of Kings
Racing Partners LLC & Nelson Soracco; B-Joe B. Mulholland Jr.,
John P. Mulholland & Karen Mulholland (KY); T-Tareq
Moubarak. $11,400.
Margins: 3 3/4, 5 1/4, NO. Odds: 0.80, 7.20, 90.20.
Also Ran: Authentic Guitar, Bohemian, Royal Testament, Kitty Cleo (Ire), Le Sunshine, Divinely Inspired, Satisfied Mind, Just a Little Bit. Scratched: Emerald Ember, Nonna's Love, Rumpus in Paradise. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

LENNILU ($3.60) won with ease in the $100,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. She stamped her ticket to @Ascot for trainer Patrick Biancone (@andie_biancone) and jockey @luissaezpty. Congrats to the connections of the 2YO Leinster (@PleasantAcresSt) filly. pic.twitter.com/MNYQ2a43GL

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 10, 2025

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Preakness Updates: River Thames Breezes at Belmont, Brendan Walsh Green Lights Gosger

Sat, 2025-05-10 14:30

Breezing Saturday morning over the Belmont Park training track, 'TDN Rising Star' GISP River Thames (Maclean's Music) put in another half-mile move in advance of his anticipated start in the GI Preakness Stakes May 17 at Pimlico.

In company with MSP Trust Fund (Practical Joke), the New York-bred went a half-mile in :48.25 (9/37) with exercise rider Fernando Rivera in the irons. He began the work to the outside and just off of his workmate and ended it along the rail and at least a length in front. Trainer Todd Pletcher said he clocked the gallop out in 1:01 and 1:15, and was happy with what he saw from his charge.

“He went very well, in hand throughout,” said Pletcher. “He put in a nice half-mile in 48 [seconds] and change. He galloped out around the turn strongly and looked good. They followed the instructions perfectly.”

He continued, “We are happy with his condition. He has bounced out of the Blue Grass well. He has been training consistently here. He has put on a few pounds, so we are happy with the way he is coming into [The Preakness].”

River Thames will be looking to claim Pletcher's first victory in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. The conditioner is a two-time Derby and four-time Belmont Stakes winner.

“I'd love to check that box, we will give it a try.”

Gosger gets the Green Light for Preakness after Keeneland Work

Working in company with Godolphin's Paris Lily (City of Light), who is being pointed to Friday's GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, Gosger (Nyquist) and the filly breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60, making the pair's move the fastest of 14 at the distance at Keeneland that morning. Carrying the colors of the late Harvey A. Clarke, the grey will attempt to collect his third straight win after he claimed the GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Apr. 12 at the venue.

“He worked really well,” Walsh said. “He worked good; so, we're a go. I think he's ready to take a step forward again off the last race.”

Walsh will be trying for his first Preakness win with Gosger's entry.

Heart of Honor Set to Clear Quarantine Earlier, On Track Tuesday

G2 UAE Derby runner-up Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.) is now set to clear quarantine at Churchill Downs Sunday and will make his first appearance on track at Pimlico Tuesday after vanning over the day prior.

Trainer Jamie Osborne has earlier confirmed his daughter Saffie Osborne will have the Preakness mount. The elder Osborne has sent prior runners who competed in the UAE Derby to the States and enjoyed great success, but a win on the Triple Crown trail would be a first for Heart of Honor's connections.

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Sorcerer’s Silver Undergoes Successful Surgery At Rood And Riddle

Sat, 2025-05-10 14:09

Sorcerer's Silver (Good Magic), a 3-year-old colt who suffered a sesamoid injury on the Kentucky Derby day undercard is recovering from surgery at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, according to a story posted on the NBC Lexington affiliate website on Friday afternoon.

Pulled up by jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. halfway through the third race, the dark bay trained by Dale Romans was transported to Rood & Riddle in Lexington.

“The problem with the sesamoid injury is, they don't show much,” said Rood & Riddle's Dr. Larry Bramlage. “Sesamoids are the two little bones in the back of the horse's fetlock joint where when they move and up down, they're the bones that support their weight. They're sort of like our kneecaps only in reverse.”

After a three-hour fusion surgery Monday, X-rays showed Sorcerer's Silver was doing well, even though his racing days are over.

“He's gonna live 25 years,” Dr. Bramlage said.

Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and Domeyko Taylor, the colt debuted a winner at Gulfstream Park Feb. 1 and then cleared an optional claimer over the same surface Mar. 27.

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Arkansas Derby Champ Sandman Enters Preakness Fray

Sat, 2025-05-10 11:57

The winner of the GI Arkansas Derby and seventh place finisher in the GI Kentucky Derby, Sandman (Tapit–Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor) will enter next Saturday's GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, according to a press release sent out by 1S/T Racing.

Co-owned by D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables and influencer Griffin Johnson, the 3-year-old has remained at Churchill Downs where he took a spin over the main track on Friday.

“We wanted to see how he came back. He's an extremely happy horse right now. It looks like the race might set up nice for him. It looks like there's a fair amount of speed,” said trainer Mark Casse, who saddled eventual victor War of Will in 2019. “I always quote Allen Jerkens, 'Run 'em when they're good,' and he's good right now. We were planning on waiting for the Belmont, but a lot of things can happen in between. He's telling us he's happy so we're going to go with it.”

Casse continued, “I knew when he went by us the first time that we were in big trouble. He obviously wasn't handling the track very well, and you just don't know how that affects them late in the race. He made a middle run but did flatten out a little bit. I think War of Will ran seventh in the Derby and won the Preakness, so we're going with that.”

The grey, who was pointing to the GI Belmont Stakes, joins 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time) who was also confirmed for the barrier this week. A jockey has yet to be announced and Sandman is scheduled to ship to Pimlico Monday.

The Preakness draw is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on Monday, May 12.

 

Sandman back galloping this morning, looking ahead to the Belmont Stakes! pic.twitter.com/YnkcO2Sgdj

— West Point Tbred (@westpointtbred) May 9, 2025

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Alvarado Fined $62,000 And Suspended Two Days For Crop Violation During Winning Derby Ride

Fri, 2025-05-09 19:42

Jockey Junior Alvarado has been fined $62,000 and suspended two Kentucky racing days after using the whip two more times than is permitted when winning the GI Kentucky Derby aboard Sovereignty, according to a Kentucky stewards' ruling Friday.

Under Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) rules, jockeys can use the crop no more than six times during a race.

The typical penalty for going one to three strikes over the limit is 10% of the jockey's earnings or a $250 fine, whichever is bigger. Alvarado's share of the Derby purse was $310,000. It typically comes with a one-day suspension.

This, however, was Alvarado's second whip violation within 180 days, according to the stewards' ruling.

According to HISA Rule 2283 (c)(1), a second violation within that 180-day period results in a doubling of the fine and a doubling of the suspension period.

Alvarado's two-day suspension will run May 29 and 30.

According to the BloodHorse, the ruling is under appeal, which will likely be heard by a three-person HISA Internal Adjudication Panel.

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