Blood-Horse

Gainesway announced Jan. 17 the first reported foal by grade 1-winning sprinter Drain the Clock, a colt born at Machmer Hall Farm in Kentucky.  The colt is out of the mare Egyptian Bride, a half sister to grade 1-placed Generous Tipper.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced the dates of the annual Off to the Races Campaign, an online benefit auction featuring VIP racing experience packages with all proceeds going to support accredited aftercare.

NYRA today unveiled the official logo for the 2024 Belmont Stakes (G1), which will be contested at Saratoga Race Course for the first time in history to allow for the uninterrupted construction of a new and re-imagined Belmont Park.

Graded stakes winner Wakanaka has retired from racing according to Barry Irwin of Team Valor International and will take up a new career as a broodmare in Kentucky. Owned in partnership with Gary Barber, Wakanaka earned $914,075 through 23 starts.

Fasig-Tipton will handle the dispersal of breeding stock, yearlings, and horses of racing age owned by Bob Lothenbach at Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale and on Fasig-Tipton Digital. The complete dispersal will be held over the next three weeks.

Equibase announced today the appointment of Scott Little as the company's vice president of racing services. Little will oversee all data collection processes for the company, including GPS technology services, and track and field operations.

Due to harsh winter weather affecting portions of the United States, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Mahoning Valley Race Course, Parx Racing, and Penn National Race Course canceled racing Jan. 17.

The foals, both fillies, were born at Ocala Stud, where the two stallions stand.

Anticipation continues to build toward the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) and fans will have their third of six early betting opportunities Jan. 19-21 for Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. The three-day pool features 40 betting options.

Mill Ridge Farm stallion and 2021 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Aloha West was represented by his first reported foal Jan. 15 when a colt out of the winning Orb mare Bashful was born at Machmer Hall Farm. 

If any major policy or fiscal changes are to come to Thoroughbred racing or the overall gaming industry in New York, they will have to wait until later in the spring, if at all, in 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul signaled Jan. 16.

A filly born Jan. 15 at War Horse Place is the first reported foal by champion sprinter Jackie's Warrior. The filly is out of grade 3-placed winner Upset Brewing.

HISA has established a Next Generation Advisory Group that will be made up of individuals in the early to mid-stages of their professional careers and will provide feedback on the implementation and evolution of HISA's regulations and protocols.

Conflicting forecasts toward the end of the week are giving some hope that the big Jan. 20 meetings at Ascot and Haydock can escape the cold snap.

BloodHorse Interview: Light Up Racing

Two high-level stakes competitors, Saudi Crown and Smile Happy, return to action Jan. 20 in the $175,000 Louisiana Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The 1 1/16-mile dirt race attracted seven competitors.

West Omaha and Sistina Chapel—2-3 in the Dec. 23 Untapable Stakes—do not have to deal with the filly that defeated them in that race, Alpine Princess, lead the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes Jan. 20 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers (IRE) has been retired by Simon and Ed Crisford.

2-year-old male Glengarry earns double honors from the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association for his accomplishments in 2023, including ITBOA Horse of the Year.

Trainers have embraced Lingfield's Saturday morning fixture with 107 entries made for the seven-race card that forms the middle leg of the Winter Million festival at the Surrey venue this weekend.