Blood-Horse

The New York Racing Association announced April 15 a return to the traditional Pick 6 wager, featuring a $1 bet minimum, at the upcoming 48-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet.

The New York Racing Association will again offer a $1 million bonus to the connections of any Japan-based horse who wins the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1) Saturday, June 5, at Belmont Park.

Blazing Meadows Farm and Siena Farm's Dayoutoftheoffice, unraced since a runner-up in the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Keeneland, took a step toward returning to the races April 15 by working five furlongs at Keeneland in 1:01 2/5.

The daughter of Mr Speaker set a track record last year at Keeneland in the Ashland Stakes (G1). She is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the Doubledogdare Stakes (G3).

Country Grammer, winner of the 2020 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course, is scheduled to make his first start under trainer Bob Baffert's guidance in the $200,000 Californian Stakes (G2) April 17 at Santa Anita Park. 

Canterbury Park announced April 15 that its industry-low 10% takeout rate on the $.50 Pick 5 wager will return for the 2021 racing season and that a $1 Pick 6 wager, also with an industry-low 10% takeout, will be offered daily.

This week's racing coverage schedule for radio, television, streaming.

After a bit of a regulatory delay, MyRacehorse will offer microshares of two-time champion female Monomoy Girl April 15.

Grade 1 winner Say the Word will carry the most weight of 10 older horses in the $200,000 Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) April 17 at Keeneland.

No workouts permitted starting April 15 until further notice at the Maryland track.

Miss Always Ready, a 9-year-old mare owned by Three Chimneys Farm, delivered a filly by Three Chimneys stallion Palace Malice on April 13 at the farm as part of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame's Foal Patrol Season 4.

Between Saturday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 28, Churchill Downs will be open free-of-charge daily from 7-10 a.m. so guests can watch the nation's top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds train toward the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Every time he receives a call about a fire, Elmont fire chief Ron Conti gets an uneasy feeling.

After a frenetic opening session, intensity levels settled down a touch on Day 2 of the Tattersalls Craven Sale, with the market headed by 14 six-figure 2-year-olds.

Fast runners and horsemanship have been responsible for trainer Steve Asmussen's near-annual participation in the Kentucky Derby (G1) this century. But something else has played a role in him returning to the Derby this year: fate.

Xavier Mcgrapth voluntarily went to the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office April 13 and was arrested on charges of second degree animal cruelty. He is out on bond and still faces arraignment.

The Cuomo decision April 13 means at least 20% of Belmont Park will have fans in the stands, and it is uncertain if the attendance floor could be raised before the annual Saratoga Race Course meet this summer.

Two-time stakes-placed Market Alert capitalized on class relief in his last outing and will look to parlay that confidence into his first stakes score when he competes in the $200,000 NYSSS Times Square division April 17 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Charlie LoPresti, best known as the trainer of two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, has quietly retired from racing at the age of 63. The New York native began training in 1993 and disbanded his stable at the close of 2020.

Hard Love came close to breaking through in his stakes debut last out and will look to break through in his third career start in the $100,000 Woodhaven Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for 3-year-olds April 17 at Aqueduct Racetrack.