Blood-Horse

Emerald Downs announced player-friendly wagering enhancements at its 55-day 2024 season that begins May 4, becoming the first track outside of Kentucky to offer penny breakage on all wagers while also offering a "Dynamic Morning Line."

After years of deliberation and delay, European Union officials have given the go-ahead to resume direct shipment of horses from South Africa to Europe.

Just nine months after coming to the mainland United States from Puerto Rico, 20-year-old Eniel Cordero is preparing to saddle Vicente Stella's Le Dom Bro March 30 in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

They may not have taken home the trophy and flower garland of the Louisiana Derby (G2), but the connections of Honor Marie and Track Phantom still had quite a bit to celebrate as their colts qualified for a start in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Lillian Jenkinson Holder was one of the best riders many in her area had seen. Yet her long career on bush tracks and pursuit of a license to ride at pari-mutuel racetracks remained a story hidden—until now.

Graded stakes winners Steal Sunshine and Tumbarumba will meet again March 30 in the 1 1/16-mile $150,000 Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) after a nose separated the pair the last time they met at Gulfstream Park.

Grade 1 winners Muth and Timberlake square off in search of a second top-level victory when an expected field of 10 3-year-olds compete in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park March 30.

Tony Calo has been named the new track announcer at Ellis Park. Calo, a veteran in the horse racing industry, will continue to serve as the announcer at Turfway Park along with being a handicapping analyst at Churchill Downs.

It was the third win in four starts for the 3-year-old, who made his debut finishing 10th in a Dec. 3, 2023 maiden optional claimer at Gulfstream Park, where he ran his first three races. 

It was a monumental day for jockey Umberto Rispoli at Turfway Park March 23. Not only did he secure the grand prize, the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) with Endlessly, but he also earned his 2,000th victory in the saddle.

The sensor technology StrideSAFE is revolutionizing aims to better protect the safety of racehorses by understanding the surface from the horse's point of view.

It was the third win in four starts for the 3-year-old, who made his debut finishing 10th in a Dec. 3, 2023 maiden optional claimer at Gulfstream Park, where he ran his first three races. 

Double B Racing Stables' dual grade 3 winner Repo Rocks, last seen finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) in June at Belmont Park for trainer Jamie Ness, is now with conditioner Rick Dutrow Jr.

Owner-breeder John Fairley said he and his family are "all heartbroken" after his multiple group 1-winner Highfield Princess died March 23 after sustaining an injury in an accident in her stall last week.

Massive Sovereign, in just his second local start, swept to a dramatic, late-running score in the Hong Kong Derby March 24 at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Mad Cool took the short way around to win the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) March 24 at Chukyo Racecourse, getting a leg up on year-end sprint division honors.

In theory, the Kentucky Derby (G1) marks the first time a 3-year-old will race at the mile-and-a-quarter distance. That may not be the case for Albaugh Family Stables' Catching Freedom.

After tracking early leader Our Pretty Woman throughout the $388,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) March 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Tarifa edged to the lead in the stretch and held off a couple re-rally attempts from her determined rival.

Favored at even money off his victory in the San Marcos Stakes (G3T), Missed the Cut scored back-to-back graded wins by taking the San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) over Planetario, who also finished second to him in the San Marcos.

Amerman Racing's Endlessly made short work of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) field, thundering home a powerful winner of the $700,000 feature race of the Turfway Park meet March 23.