Blood-Horse

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's goal for Goal Oriented had been a grade 1 win all season, and that goal was achieved in the final days of his 3-year-old season as he won the $300,000 Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park Dec. 28.

In an epic stretch battle, Nysos surged forward at just the right time to defeat Nevada Beach in the Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park Dec. 28.

Alberto Delgado, who earned Eclipse Award honors as the champion apprentice jockey in 1982, announced his retirement after the second race Dec. 28 at Laurel Park.

Night of Thunder gained a richly deserved first title after a season of high achievements. His 31 individual stakes winners worldwide are led by five individual group/grade 1 winners.

Museum Mile capped a busy and successful 3-year-old season with a victory over older foes in the Arima Kinen (G1T) Dec. 28 at Nakayama Racecourse.

BloodHorse has reprised its online year-end survey to ask some of the sport's leading individuals for their opinions on pertinent issues facing the sport.

Securing his first stakes win, Knightsbridge's victory in the $150,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park Dec. 27 announced him as a threat in future one-turn mile events.

A return on 13 days' rest and a stretch out from a sprint to a route proved insignificant obstacles for Counting Stars, who improved to 3-for-4 in romping in the $150,000 Year's End Stakes Dec. 27 at Oaklawn Park.

Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty is preparing to compete as a 4-year-old, according to Godolphin USA director of bloodstock Michael Banahan.

Montador, which in Portuguese means "assembler," put it all together in notching his first stakes win in the $98,000 Woodchopper Stakes Dec. 27 at Fair Ground Race Course & Slots.

Lovcen employed a striking turn of foot in the final 200 meters to win the Dec. 27 Hopeful Stakes (G1T) for 2-year-olds at Nakayama Racecourse in just his second career start.

BloodHorse has reprised its online year-end survey to ask some of the sport's leading individuals for their opinions on pertinent issues facing the sport.

As Japan's racing establishment ups the image of dirt racing, 3-year-olds Natural Rise and Narukami renew a rivalry in the Tokyo Daishoten (G1) Dec. 29 at Oi Racecourse.

In romping in three of five starts, Knightsbridge has hinted at the promise of becoming a future stakes winner. The future could be now Dec. 27 at Gulfstream Park in the $150,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3).

Regaleira, the only filly in the field, seeks an unprecedented repeat win in the Arima Kinen (G1) Dec. 28 at Nakayama Racecourse.

The National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, with matching financial support from The Jockey Club, has agreed to support a record nine internship applications at horse racing media outlets in 2026, by far the largest group funded in program history.

The Hopeful Stakes (G1T) has been a reliable springboard to glory for Japan's 2-year-olds and usually has a favorite or two set to move ahead, but not this year.

Motorious, winner of the 2024 Joe Hernandez Stakes, will try to add a second victory in the race Dec. 29 at Santa Anita Park.

Maiden Watch: Week of Dec. 15-21

Trainer Bob Baffert has entered five 3-year-olds in the seven-furlong Malibu Stakes, headed by recent Perryville Stakes (G3) winner Barnes.