Blood-Horse

A couple of events in different parts of the country May 21 gave off hope that the upcoming Belmont Stakes (G1) could have some sizzle, even though hopes for a Triple Crown sweep were crushed a day earlier.

Report from Japan

In a way, breeder Peter Blum predicted National Treasure's 2023 Preakness Stakes (G1) win some seven years ago.

Foreign Relations redeemed himself in a big way May 20 with an assertive score in the $225,000 Louisville Handicap (G3T) at Churchill Downs. In his start prior, the gelding dubbed as "quirky" by his trainer, had been disqualified from first to 10th.

Turning back a bid from Blazing Sevens, resilient frontrunner National Treasure captured the second leg of the Triple Crown May 20 in the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.

Recalcitrant became the first winner for freshman sire Pavel when she took a California-bred $61,500 maiden race by 4 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita Park May 20.

Straight No Chaser put it all together May 20 in a dominating win in the $100,000 Maryland Sprint Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Right after Courtlandt Farm's Never Explain captured the $200,000 Dinner Party Stakes (G3T), trainer Shug McGaughey was uncertain about the next start for the son of Street Sense. 

Jockey Chantal Sutherland continues to recover from a serious shoulder injury suffered at Gulfstream Park May 6 when she was thrown from a horse spooked by geese on the track.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Huetor became only the fourth horse to win two Doomben Cups (G1) as he produced a stunning late effort to register back-to-back victories in the May 20 group 1 feature in Brisbane.

Tragedy struck early in the $200,000 Chick Lang Stakes (G3) at Pimlico Race Course May 20 as Havnameltdown had to be euthanized on the track from an injury and jockey Luis Saez was carried off the track and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

Heading into the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Solomini, a son of Curlin, ranks second by juvenile sales average among 2023 freshman sires.

Another bold move from Ciaron Maher and David Eustace reaped rich rewards at Morphettville May 20 as Royal Merchant got the better of her older rivals to land a thrilling edition of The Goodwood (G1).

Arabian Lion understood the assignment May 20 in the $99,000 Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. The son of Justify led from start to finish in the field of five 3-year-olds in the 1 1/16-mile dirt test.

Modern Games came with a sustained surge to land the May 20 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (G1) despite runner-up Chindit biting winning jockey William Buick in the closing stages.

Once again there's no such thing as a longshot at the Preakness Stakes (G1).

His condition was confirmed by assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr., and co-owners Brian Doxtator of CMNWLTH and Ramiro Restrepo. Doxtator said via text that it "wasn't much, couple inches above his eye."

The California Horse Racing Board ordered trainer Richard Baltas suspended for one year through early December after making an independent review of the case against him.

He said learning Spanish, which is common for many trainers, as well as Portuguese, became a matter of necessity. 

Trainer Kenny McPeek hadn't planned on sending Rattle N Roll to run in the Pimlico Special Stakes (G3). But after a look at the probable starters for the race, he changed his mind. Good thing he did.