Thoroughbred Daily News

In an era when corporate-controlled entities are actively looking for ways to close down much larger racetracks in various areas throughout America, the Humboldt County Fair Association–better known as Ferndale–stood out in recent months for its dogged desire to get approval to run a three-weekend race meet at the Northern California half-miler, even after the other county fairs tracks on the once-robust circuit had abandoned or were forced out of racing for 2025.

But against the stated backdrop of a desire to promote “single-circuit” California racing by directing revenue from simulcasting and account wagering to supplement purses at larger venues in the south, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) on Thursday quashed hopes for the traditional late-summer season at Ferndale, voting 4-3 against awarding Aug. 13-Sept. 2 dates to the track.

Ferndale's management has consistently portrayed a loss of racing there as a severe blow to the local community, and supporters have cited the denial of dates to the last remaining track that wants to cater to NorCal interests as a long-term blow to the state's racing and breeding interests.

“Big mistake. Big, big mistake,” said a deflated and exasperated CHRB vice-chair Oscar Gonzales moments after the tally was read into the record at the May 15 meeting.

The vote that nixed racing at Ferndale was preceded by substantial back-and-forth testimony from stakeholders on both sides of the argument, which largely carried over many of the same points articulated at the Apr. 17  CHRB meeting.

Last month the board had voted down a summer race-dates allocation for a meet at Pleasanton. A separate Apr. 17 agenda item also didn't garner enough votes for the Ferndale request to be decided either way, which is why the Ferndale request was on the CHRB agenda for the second straight month.

Commissioners and stakeholders were once again divided on the best path forward for California racing as a whole, widening an existential North-vs.-South rift that opened nearly two years ago when The Stronach Group, which also owns Santa Anita Park, announced plans to shutter Golden Gate Fields.

The central issue revolves around whether the state's racing and breeding would be better off continuing the single-circuit method of nearly year-round meets situated in SoCal (Santa Anita, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Los Alamitos Race Course), or if NorCal proponents should be given a shot to re-establish the region now that–all within the past 10 months–Golden Gate Fields has closed, an entity called Golden State Racing failed to run a financially viable autumn meet at Pleasanton, and the California Authority of Racing Fairs shifted away from supporting any live meets at county fairs.

Voting “no” for the Ferndale dates (and the track's requested simulcasting privileges) on May 15 were CHRB chairman Gregory Ferraro, DVM, plus commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos and Thomas Hudnut.

Voting “yes” to keep Ferndale alive were vice-chair Gonzales, commissioner Brenda Washington Davis, and a newcomer to the board, Peter Stern.

Gonzales, who has often been at odds with Ferraro on the North/South issue over the past year, almost immediately floated the idea of calling for an “emergency” meeting to bring back the Ferndale vote again in another 10 days, an idea that CHRB Executive Director Scott Chaney said probably didn't fit the legal criteria to merit true “emergency” status.

“I will say this,” Gonzales said. “This is a serious, serious, serious mistake that this board made. I'm not singling out any individual commissioner. I'm just saying us, collectively. And this is going to send a hell of a message across this country about what we really stand for as Californians. [The pro-Ferndale] individuals here have come so far and have given so much for this board to not understand [the issue] on merit, but what just makes good horse racing sense.”

Ferraro fired back at the vice-chair: “Commissioner Gonzales, how many votes do you want to have on this? You've lost twice. Do you not accept the vote?”

“Unfortunately, I don't. I do not Mr. Chairman,” Gonzales replied curtly.

“Well, that's your problem. That's not the problem with the board,” Ferraro retorted.

(Technically, Ferraro was incorrect in stating that the Ferndale request “lost” last month. What actually happened was that the five members in attendance that day ended up in a 3-2 statutory stalemate with the majority voting against Ferndale dates, because by California state law, the CHRB can't pass a vote unless four commissioners vote one way or the other. On Apr. 19, commissioner Damascus Castellanos was not in attendance, and there was one vacancy on the board, which has since been filled by Stern.)

When advised that his request for an emergency meeting probably wouldn't fly, Gonzales asked Ferraro outright if, as the board's chair, he'd be open to scheduling another regular meeting instead to again give Ferndale a chance to race.

“I would not approve meeting in 10 days, no, to rehash this item over again,” Ferraro asserted.

Back in April, Ferraro had said the decision by the board last year to approve that failed fall racing season at Pleasanton was “unwise at best or disastrous at worst.” He had forewarned those who were advocating for an approval of race dates at fairs venues not to expect the board to give the same leeway in being granted the opportunity to race as Golden State Racing had received last year. His concerns had to do with the damage such a decision might do in terms of siphoning horses and simulcasting revenue from the SoCal tracks, which are also struggling but remain more viable than any entity in the North.

One month later, during the public commentary period at the conclusion for the May 15 meeting, Ferraro engaged in a back-and-forth with one speaker, expanding upon his reasoning behind not wanting to green-light any recent NorCal requests for racing.

“It doesn't matter how much support we have from horsemen or people involved in the horse industry to try to get something going in Northern California,” Ferraro said. “If the general public is not interested or supportive, I think the smart thing to do, at this point in time, is to engage with the board and with the legislature and with the industry to try and do a feasibility study amongst the public in Northern California to find out if there's enough public interest in horse racing to make it go. Because if there isn't enough public interest, we're all wasting our time and we all should be doing something else.

“We take a year, we take a look at this, we try and come up with a feasibility study and maybe some marketing experts that would be able to, you know, get a feeling for where the public is on this. Because without public support we can't make it go, that's for sure,” Ferraro said.

“One of the things that everyone is sort of pushing now is this historical horse racing,” Ferraro said. “But we have a problem [getting that type of gaming passed] in California because of the [gaming] compacts with the governor from the Indians. So [instead of giving] up, we should negotiate with them, which we are trying to do.”

The post CHRB Votes Down Meet For Ferndale, The Last Remaining NorCal Fairs Track That Wanted To Race In ’25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

TIMONIUM, MD – Fasig-Tipton was forced to halt the under-tack preview of its Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale Thursday after a fatal breakdown that was followed by a sudden downpour. Sales officials announced Thursday evening that the preview would resume Sunday at 8 a.m. and that the sale, originally scheduled to be held next Monday and Tuesday, will be held in one session Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m.

The preview has been beset by weather issues and the sales company postponed Tuesday's scheduled start by a day. The Wednesday session began an hour later than originally scheduled, but proceeded without any noticeable issues.

Thursday's session, which again started an hour late, was nearing its halfway point with the sun breaking through the clouds several times, but was stopped when a filly by Practical Joke (hip 355) was injured heading into the turn after completing her furlong work.

“It's obviously something that is very sad and something everyone hates to see,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said of the filly's injury. “We work very diligently and strive to create the highest standards of horse safety and welfare at all our auctions and really in everything we do. It's devastating when something like that happens.”

As the filly was being attended to, the clouds moved in again and soon the rain was pelting the track. With the rain picking up in intensity, a group of officials and riders gathered on the track near where the filly had fallen and were huddled up for some time. When the group dispersed, the announcement was made that the under-tack show would be abandoned for the day.

“After that [injury] happened, the clouds opened up and we got another torrential downpour that was really frankly unexpected when you looked at the forecast,” Browning continued. “We initially were going to try to plan to go [Friday] and I asked the track officials to go back over and evaluate the track and at the end of the day, they thought they needed to open up the track and give it time and opportunity to dry out over the next few days. So they are working the track tonight and tomorrow and again on Saturday. The forecast on Sunday is very favorable. So we will do the best we can under those circumstances.”

Of the area where the filly broke down, Browning added, “Whenever there is an incident that occurs, everybody wants to scrutinize the area and evaluate it. You had a lot of activity in that area with the horse ambulance there and so forth. I don't think there was anything specific to do with that location. A lot of horses went through that path, but there was no glaring issue with that area of the track.”

Browning confirmed the filly has been sent for a necropsy.

Prior to the suspension of the under-tack show Thursday afternoon, four horses shared the show's fastest furlong time of :10 1/5, with two of the quartet coming from the Pike Racing at Highlander consignment of veteran horseman Al Pike, who is overseeing his final consignment before retiring. Setting the bullet mark during the day's first set was a filly from the first crop of Yaupon (hip 219).

“I was very happy with her,” Pike said. “She's been that kind of filly at home. Just straightforward and does everything right. Just naturally has got some speed to her.”

Out of Lake Como (Salt Lake), the juvenile is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner and multiple group placed Cosmo Charlie (Stay Thirsty). She was purchased by Susan Moulton for $90,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton July sale.

Of Yaupon's fast start at stud, Pike said, “They all show up and they all seem to be pretty quick. I've had two, I had success with one in March and this filly should sell well, too.”

The Pike Racing at Highlander consignment had a second bullet in the day's third set with a colt by Munnings (hip 258). The chestnut is out of graded-placed Minewander (Mineshaft) and is a full-brother to graded placed Landeskog. He sold to Chad Frederick for $120,000 at the Fasig-Tipton February sale last year and RNA'd for $180,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale in August.

“We took him to OBS March and he dumbfounded us,” Pike said. “He did not perform like we had seen him perform. So we just changed course and gave him another shot up here. He just got better every day. I think he liked the dirt and maybe he got a little more mature.”

Pike, who has been director of sales and conditioner for 2-year-olds in training at Highlander Training Center since 2023, is set to retire following the Midlantic sale next week, with Colin Brennan named as his replacement.

“This is it,” Pike confirmed of his retirement. “I have mixed emotions. But I am getting up there in age and I've got some things I want to do.”

Hip 334 | Fasig-Tipton

Also working in :10 1/5 Thursday was hip 334, a colt by Into Mischief out of stakes winner Quick Flip (Speightstown). Consigned by Raul Reyes's Kings Equine on behalf of his breeder, Spendthrift Farm, the juvenile is a half-brother to graded winner and multiple Grade I-placed Following Sea (Runhappy).

“I knew he had a lot of talent and he was fast, but I didn't know how he would take to the sloppy track,” said Reyes. “But he did pretty good.”

Wavertree Stables had its third bullet worker of the under-tack show with a filly by Girvin (hip 368, video). Out of Scarlet Dixie (Broken Vow), the dark bay was purchased for $240,000 at the Keeneland September sale.

The post Weather Again Disrupts Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Under-Tack Show, Sale Schedule Shuffled appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Overcoming a troubled start and getting back in the game before the far turn, first timer Color Comin' In (Rock Your World–Sleepless Dixie, by Dixie Union) handed freshman sire Rock Your World (by Candy Ride {Arg}) an inaugural win on Thursday afternoon at Churchill Downs. The effort netted the filly a 'TDN Rising Star' badge.

Off as a 7-1 shot here, Color Comin' In did not have the best beginning, but the Norm Casse trainee was able to resume the chase as short-priced favorite Shez Twisted (Twirling Candy) led up the backstretch. The dark bay looked every bit a professional with a move inside of the chalk while scraping paint around the turn, which put her in good stead to seize the lead past the quarter pole. With a smoothness one loves to see on debut, the juvenile could not be caught as she won by three lengths and exhibited a strong gallop out over the hard charging Americathegreat (Curlin). The $1.2-million buy from Keeneland September was 'Insighted' on Wednesday by TDN's Stefanie Grimm along with sixth-place finisher Shez Twisted.

Her dam's last registered foal of record, the winner's second dam, Canadian graded stakes winner Dream About (Cherokee Run), is responsible for SW Sleepless Knight (War Chant) and GSW Deeply Undervalued (Kitten's Joy). Color Comin' In counts among her extended female family MSW Frosted Departure (Frosted) and former 'Rising Star' Rocketry (Forestry).

This is first-crop sire Rock Your World's initial 'Rising Star' of his young career.

2nd-Churchill Downs, $115,272, Msw, 5-15, 2yo, f, 5f, :58.14, ft, 3 lengths.
COLOR COMIN' IN, f, 2, by Rock Your World
                1st Dam: Sleepless Dixie {MSP, $180,445}, by Dixie Union.
                2nd Dam: Dream About {GSW-Can, $235,463}, by Cherokee Run.
                3rd Dam: Social Director {SW-Can, $105,393}, by Deputy Minister.
Sales History: $9,000 RNA Wlg '23 KEENOV; $11,000 Ylg '24 OBSOCT; $100,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000.
O-CKDS Racing Stable, LLC; B-Tomislav Mitrovski (KY); T-Norm W. Casse.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue- style pedigree.

COLOR COMIN' IN ($17.42) becomes the first winner for @spendthriftfarm's Rock your World! The filly made a professional debut in the 2nd at @ChurchillDowns. @luissaezpty had the ride for trainer @NormCasse. pic.twitter.com/cDv6mOJeEI

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 15, 2025

The post Freshman Sire Rock Your World Has First Winner As New ‘TDN Rising Star’ Color Comin’ In Scores At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

BALTIMORE, MD — A week of soggy weather couldn't dampen the spirits around the final Preakness weekend to be held at historic Pimlico Racecourse before it gets a major facelift.

Five stakes, including a trio of graded tests, headline Friday's racing action, including the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. With several big-name trainers rolling into town for the marquee weekend, the locally based Brittany Russell will attempt to become only the second female trainer in Maryland history to win the Black-Eyed Susan with Repole Stable's Reply (Curlin). The only other trainer to accomplish the feat is Deborah Bodner, who won it in 1997 with a horse she also owned, Salt It. Russell is the most recent to try it, finishing sixth with 63-1 longshot Cats Inthe Timber in 2023.

“It's great to be in a race like this, especially with [a filly] that I've been fond of for quite some time,” Russell said. “To have one for [Mike] Repole, here at home, it means a lot.”

A debut winner going a mile at Colonial Mar. 14, Reply finished 3/4-lengths behind stablemate Complexity Jane in Laurel's Weber City Miss Stakes Apr. 19.

“Completely different running style [from Complexity Jane],” Russell said. “She's just a big, grindy filly. There's no early foot to her at all. She's kind of a funny filly mentally, actually. She's improved a lot since I've had her. There might be a little more improve in her. Distance won't be an issue, and a little bit of a pace setup in front of her wouldn't hurt.”

In 2023, Russell made history as the first woman to lead Maryland's annual standings in wins by a trainer at Laurel and Pimlico, a feat she repeated in 2024. Only the fourth female trainer ever to win a meet title in Maryland in the spring of 2022, she became the first to do it more than once and now has nine to her credit, the most recent coming at the Laurel Park stand that ended May 4.

“Obviously, I want one for the Preakness,” she said of a major box she wants to check off her list. “I'm still looking for that horse, but we'll take aim at the Black-Eyed Susan this year. You've got to dream, right? You just hope they show up on the day.”

The morning-line favorite in the nine-furlong race is Doug Scharbauer's Runnin N Gunnin (Gun Runner), winner of two of three races in 2025, including the Feb. 16 Sunland Park Oaks. Third in the GII Fantasy Stakes last time out, the filly is trained by Steve Asmussen, who will attempt to win his first Black-Eyed Susan.

Godolphin's Paris Lily (City of Light) offers a sneaky opportunity to double up following a last-out win over the re-opposing Liam in the Dust (Liam's Map) in the slop while facing optional claiming foes at Keeneland Apr. 6. Joel Rosario, who was aboard for her latest victory, gets the call. The filly has been the regular workmate for GI Preakness Stakes contender and GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes winner Gosger.

“She's doing really well,” trainer Brendan Walsh said of Paris Lily. “She's working a lot better than she did at any point through the year. I'm looking forward to her, actually.”

Wayne Lukas also sends post ward Princess Aliyah (Into Mischief), a $1.2 million Keeneland September purchase. Winner of the Valley of the Vapors Stakes at Oaklawn Apr. 19, she returns off a 10th last time in the GII Eight Belles Stakes at Churchill Downs May 2.

“We sprinted her in the Eight Belles, and I don't think that is her cup of tea. The Black-Eyed Susan is 1 1/8 miles and it will be kind of an experiment for her,” Lukas said. “She won the Valley of the Vapors and looked really good doing it. We just think she's probably better at two turns. We'll see. She should like that surface. It's a good spot to find out where we're at with her.”

Making its debut in 1919 as the Pimlico Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan was not run from 1932-36 and again in 1950 and was renamed upon its 1951 return to honor the Preakness and Maryland's state flower. Nine of its winners have gone on to be named champion 3-year-old filly, including Hall of Famers Davona Dale, Real Delight, Royal Delta, Serena's Song, Silverbulletday and Twilight Tear.

Pimlico's Friday Undercard

West Point Thoroughbreds, Michael Lyden and Michael Olszewski's Mila Rose (Vekoma) gets a class test Friday in the six-furlong Miss Preakness Stakes. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the chestnut was an easy 3 1/2-length winner in her career debut over the Turfway synthetic Mar. 6 before coming from off the pace to score by a length in her dirt bow at Keeneland Apr. 17. Red-hot Jose Ortiz gets the mount.

Brad Cox also hopes to launch a big weekend with Stunner (Girvin), who has finished second in two starts this season, including a sloppy renewal of the seven-furlong GII Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 6.

Long Neck Paula (Uncle Mo), winner of a pair of stakes in 2024, attempts to regain the winning thread since finishing runner-up as the favorite in the Apr. 6 rained-off Palisades Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland. Wesley Ward gives the call to recent Derby-winning jockey Junior Alvarado, who was aboard the filly for a win in Keeneland's six-panel Bowman Mill Stakes last November.

The handicap division also gets its day with the GIII Pimlico Special. Trainer Brad Cox also offers up a pair–Grade III scorer Encino (Nyquist) and Star of Wonder (Uncle Mo), a winner of his two most recent starts, including a mile test at the Big A Apr. 4. Irad Ortiz, Jr. gets the mount on the former while Flavien Prat returns to ride the latter.

Friday's undercard also features the Allaire duPont Distaff Stakes, the Hilltop Stakes and The Very One Stakes.

The post A Trio of Stakes Highlight Pimlico’s Friday Card Led by Black-Eyed Susan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The field for the GI Preakness Stakes, ranked in “likeliest winner” order.

1) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin–Mopotism, by Uncle Mo). O- Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, LaPenta, Robert V., Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime record: GISW, 6-4-1-1, $1,638,880. Last start: 2nd May 3 GI Kentucky Derby.

Favorites have lost the last six editions of the Preakness and eight of the last nine (lone exception: the 2-5 Justify in 2018). But Journalism at his 8-5 morning-line odds would be a pari-mutuel gift if you could actually get him at that price.

He figures to be bet below that value coming off a strong second-place try in the GI Kentucky Derby. Journalism's résumé of two-turn graded stakes success, proven ability to crank out triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures, and reliable far-turn torque that he sustains deep into his stretch runs rank him a cut above the competition in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

This athletic $825,000 FTSAUG colt by Curlin was unfazed by minor crowding at the break of the Derby, and Journalism had no problem mixing it up in close quarters while asserting himself on the inside the first time under the finish wire.

Umberto Rispoli edged him off the fence and out to the three path six furlongs out, and Journalism responded by picking off midpack horses four deep down the backstretch before advancing in earnest 3 1/2 furlongs out.

He ramped up his run through the far turn, came five wide into the lane, grabbed the lead a furlong and a half from the finish, then was immediately accosted by Sovereignty (Into Mischief), before staying on well under urging.

Journalism didn't do anything to lose the Derby–he just got outrun by a better horse.

Coming off that 1 1/2-length defeat (102 Beyer), trainer Michael McCarthy has expressed confidence that Journalism's attitude and appetite indicate a “happy horse” since May 3, so it's on to Baltimore (unlike 16 other Derby starters).

Those who like to see the sport's stars race on a more frequent basis will be rooting for this colt to handle running back on just two weeks of rest, and it plays to Journalism's stalking style that there is no shortage of speed in the Preakness.

But the fact that Journalism has now had two demanding races in a row (he had to overcome a serious momentum stop before running hard through the lane in the Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby), might tilt some bettors toward taking a stand against him.

2) SANDMAN (c, Tapit–Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor). O-D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. Sales History: $1,200,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime record: GISW, 9-3-1-2, $1,254,595. Last start: 7th May 3 GI Kentucky Derby.

This deep-closing gray by Tapit was brushed, bumped and fanned wide in the sloppy-track Derby, which resulted in a no-impact seventh. For the Preakness he'll get a jockey switch to John Velazquez.

Trainer Mark Casse said this $1.2 million OBSMAR colt might benefit from a stronger rider, which makes Velazquez a good fit.

Closing from off the tailgate in a less crowded field could also work to Sandman's advantage. When entered in nine-horse fields (like the Preakness), he's won two out of his last three starts (and finished second in the other). He didn't fire his best shots in fields of 19 and 13 in the Derby and GII Rebel Stakes.

Sandman's most promising races are now four and five starts back in his past-performance block. In a Dec. 13 Oaklawn allowance over a short-stretch mile, he had a ground-saving go, then sliced through authoritatively at the fence to win by 1 3/4 lengths. In the Jan. 25 GIII Southwest Stakes, Sandman buckled at the ankle, leaped sideways at the start, but rallied from well back into the teeth of a speed-favoring track to get second, beaten only a length.

Sandman's third in the Feb. 23 GII Rebel Stakes was a best-of-the-rest try, and his win in the GI Arkansas Derby has to be viewed in the context of being accomplished by closing (erratically) into a major pace meltdown that slanted the outcome in the favor of any capable closer.

Still, with nine races of experience under his girth (seven at a mile or longer) and his late-gain running style, there shouldn't be any question about whether he has the foundation to hit the board at this level. A Preakness win, however, would require a next-level performance.

3) GOAL ORIENTED (c, Not This Time–Bizzy Caroline, by Afleet Alex) 'TDN Rising Star.' O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine Owner; B-Runnymede Farm LLC & CWC Investment 2, LLC; T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $425,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: 2-2-0-0, $111,960. Last start: WON May 3 Churchill Downs AOC.

Non-favorites have wired the Preakness in each of the last two years, and 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time) has drawn the rail after a front-running victory in a 1 1/16-miles allowance/optional claimer on the Derby undercard two weeks ago.

This Bob Baffert-trained colt just hit his third birthdate May 15, putting him (theoretically)  behind earlier-starting his peers, development-wise. But based on untapped potential, this undefeated colt stands out.

Goal Oriented did rally from fifth as the favorite in an Apr. 6 Santa Anita maiden sprint with a big move on the turn before finishing up in hand 3 1/4 lengths clear in a race that yielded three other next-out winners. So he's not strictly one-dimensional speed, but the rail draw for the Preakness makes it likely he'll once again be sent for the lead.

This $425,000 KEESEP colt has paired 91 Beyers in his only two starts. Based on the Preakness's published Beyer par of 101, he faces a tall task in terms of a numbers upgrade while stretching out in distance.

But that type of leap is not out of the question. Last year's Preakness upsetter, Seize the Grey, upped his best lifetime Beyer from 88 to 100 when scoring in Baltimore after also winning at Churchill on the Derby undercard.

Goal Oriented's maternal grandsire is the 2005 Triple Crown closer Afleet Alex, who ran third in the Derby and won both the Preakness (with a 112 Beyer) and GI Belmont Stakes.

Goal Oriented | Coady Media

4) RIVER THAMES (c, Maclean's Music–Proportionality, by Discreet Cat) 'TDN Rising Star'. O- WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc., Pantofel Stable LLC and Wachtel Stable; B-CTR Stables, LLC (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG. Lifetime record: GSP, 4-2-1-1, $261,900. Last start: 3rd Apr. 8 GI Blue Grass Stakes.

'TDN Rising Star' River Thames orchestrated a no-excuse stalking trip in the GI Blue Grass Stakes, but came up punchless in deep stretch, managing third. The two horses who finished ahead of him (plus two others who finished farther back) all ended up being also-rans in the Derby.

After starting his career with two wins over the winter at Gulfstream, the race that stands out for this New York-bred ($200,000 SARAUG) by Maclean's Music was his second, beaten only a neck, by eventual Derby winner Sovereignty in the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes.

River Thames pressed the pace on the inside through the first turn, then got backed off from the action and was switched outside. Roused to re-engage with three furlongs left, he took control off the final turn and shook free, but a momentary lapse of concentration contributed to him getting nailed by Sovereignty in the shadow of the wire.

Opting out of the Derby (despite qualifying) might end up looking like a sharp move by trainer Todd Pletcher, who has put three half-mile breezes into River Thames since the Blue Grass. The Preakness does not boast the depth (or the potential chaos) of the Derby field.

5) AMERICAN PROMISE (c, Justify–Tapella, by Tapit). O-BC Stables LLC; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Sales history: $750,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: SW, 10-2-1-1, $444,874. Last start: 16th May 3 GI Kentucky Derby.

American Promise, a $750,000 KEESEP colt by Justify, will be the 49th Preakness starter for Hall-of-Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a record for the race.

The 89-year-old Lukas has won the middle leg of the Triple Crown seven times. His two 21st Century winners were front-running upsetters (Seize the Grey at 9-1 in 2024 and Oxbow at 15-1 in 2013).

This May 1 foal had minor trip trouble after the start in the Derby, but none of it overtly contributed to his 16th-place finish, 38 1/2 lengths behind the winner.

In fact, the five most logical speed horses on paper all more or less managed to come out of the gate without incident in the Derby. American Promise reached a contending position between the two dueling leaders by the end of the back straight, but couldn't deal with pace pressure beyond the 3 1/2-furlong pole.

This colt earned a 95 Beyer in both his lone stakes win at Colonial in the Virginia Derby (a one-turn configuration for nine-furlongs) and in his muddy, 1 1/16-miles maiden win at Oaklawn.

Even though American Promise didn't run well over the sloppy/sealed surface in the 19-horse Derby, that previous decent try on a wet track is worth noting in case Saturday comes up wet at Pimlico.

6) HEART OF HONOR (GB) (c, Honor A. P.–Ruby Love (Chi), by Scat Daddy) O-Jim & Claire Ltd; B-David Redvers Bloodstock (GB); T-Jamie Osborne. Sales history: 35,000gns Wlg '22 TATNOV; €42,000 Ylg '23 GOFSEP; €160,000 2yo '24 ARQMAY. Lifetime record: GSP-UAE, 6-2-4-0, $340,919. Last start: 2nd Apr. 5 G2 UAE Derby.

Heart of Honor (GB) won a pair of one-mile dirt allowance races at Meydan earlier this year after debuting with a second-place finish in England at Southwell (England) on an all-weather surface. He was then second in three Dubai stakes: The UAE 2,000 Guineas, the Al Bastakiya Stakes, and the G2 UAE Derby, in which he was beaten by only a nose.

Trainer Jamie Osborne opted not to ship stateside for the Kentucky Derby despite having the qualifying points to do so, and he initially thought this Honor A.P. colt (35,000gns TATNOV, €42,000 GOFSEP, €160,000 ARQMAY) might need a break.

But by mid-April, the former jumps jockey decided this “hardy kind of horse” was “thriving,” so “we thought [the Preakness] was worth a shot.”

Osborne continued: “We're going to have a go, and if he runs okay in the Preakness, the aim is to hang on for another three weeks and go to Saratoga” for the Belmont Stakes.

Heart of Honor was equipped with blinkers for the first time in the UAE Derby after striking Osborne as being “a little bit lazy [by] getting a little bit too far behind and staying on a bit too late.”

Jamie Osborne's daughter, the 23-year-old Saffie Osborne, who made history at Meydan last year as the first woman jockey to win at the Dubai track, retains the mount for the Preakness. It will be her first ride in America.

7) CLEVER AGAIN (c, American Pharoah–Flattering {Ire}), by Galileo {Ire}). O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. Sales history: $500,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-1-0, $198,400. Last start: WON Mar. 30 Hot Springs Stakes.

Clever Again (American Pharoah) comes off a seven-week break since a 101-Beyer wiring of the Hot Springs Stakes. Four horses have since run back out of that $200,000 stakes, with two hitting the board and one managing a win (85 Beyer in a $175,000 sprint stakes at Oaklawn).

This $500,000 KEESEP colt debuted in April of his 2-year-old season with a second-place try over 4 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland.

After a 10-month gap, Clever Again wired a 1 1/16-mile Feb. 23 maiden at Oaklawn as the 2-1 favorite. Other next-out horses from that race have gone 0-for-5.

Trainer Steve Asmussen expects Clever Again to come out firing on Saturday, contributing to what projects to be a lively Preakness pace.

“We expect him to break clean, with the other pace obviously to his inside,” Asmussen said after the Preakness post draw.

Clever Again is untested on a wet track, and the female side of his pedigree tilts toward grass success.

8) PAY BILLY (c, Improbable–Harlan's Rose, by Harlington). O-RKTN Racing, LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Michael E. Gorham. Sales history: $38,000 Ylg, '23 FTKOCT; $60,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Race record: SW, 8-4-11, $234,475. Last start: WON Apr. 19 Federico Tesio Stakes.

Pay Billy (Improbable) earned an automatic, paid berth into the Preakness by winning the Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel last month.

Trainer Mike Gorham has described this colt ($38,000 FTKOCT, $60,000 OBSAPR) as a “big, strong horse” who is getting better thanks to a relaxed attitude.

The 85 Beyer in the Tesio was a lifetime best for Pay Billy. He closed from fourth while outside as the 2.3-1 favorite. It's worth noting that he had his heels clipped from behind in the first-turn scramble, and emerged with a cut on his left rear hock that has since healed.

“A couple of jockeys tried to get position,” jockey Raul Mena said. “I didn't want to be on the lead, so I put my horse in the clearest path and got out of the trouble.”

The second choice in the Tesio, Kentucky Outlaw (Outwork), also had trouble on the turn and came out of that race to win the Long Branch Stakes as the 9-5 favorite last Saturday at Monmouth Park.

9) GOSGER (c, Nyquist–Gloria S, by Tapit). O/B-Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stable, LLC (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $292,200. Last start: WON Apr. 12 GIII Lexington Stakes.

Gosger (Nyquist) broke his maiden with an 88 Beyer in his second lifetime start, a one-turn mile at Gulfstream Feb. 15 as the 19-10 favorite.

He then returned two months later to win the GIII Lexington Stakes with an 87 Beyer at 4-1 odds.

In that Keeneland stakes, this homebred colt from the racing stable of the late Harvey Clarke got second run at a softened-up 25-1 leader over the track's short-stretch configuration for 1 1/16 miles.

Gosger has tactical versatility and a pace-pressing ability that could help him work out a reasonable trip from post nine in the Preakness.

New jockey Luis Saez has a 15-for-77 (19%) win mark and a 48% in-the-money record when teaming with trainer Brendan Walsh over the last five years.

The post TDN Preakness Preview: Journalism Aims To Rewrite Six-Year Losing Skid For Faves appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Owing to a lack of entries, the live racing program scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (FLGR) has been cancelled.

According to a release from the track, the lingering impacts of a long winter combined with a wet spring resulted in trainers having limited opportunities to sufficiently prepare their horses for the season.

The track says it is hopeful that entries will return to a more normal level as the inventory of fit and race-ready horses increases to the point where a Monday-through-Wednesday racing schedule is sustainable.

“At Finger Lakes, we strive for large fields which create attractive wagering opportunities for our patrons,” said FLGR Racing Secretary Jerry Richards.

Racing is scheduled to take place next Monday and Wednesday, May 19 and 21, with a first post of 1 p.m. ET each day.

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'TDN Rising Star' Colloquial (Vekoma), a front-running winner of Keeneland's Lafayette S. Apr. 7, will make his next start in the GI Woody Stephens S. on the blockbuster GI Belmont Stakes program at Saratoga June 7.

He worked four furlongs in :47.60 (5/54) at trainer George Weaver's Keeneland base Thursday morning, his second breeze since winning the Lafayette. He'll ship up to the Spa this weekend, per Weaver.

“He's training well, we're looking forward to raceday,” Weaver said. “He's proven that the talent is there. Now, it's just a matter of doing it in a big race.”

Colloquial faced pressure throughout and drew clear in the stretch to score by 2 1/4 lengths in the seven-furlong Lafayette, good for an 88 Beyer Speed Figure.

He earned a gaudy 106 Beyer in his prior start, a jaw-dropping, seven-length maiden win over the Chick Lang S.-bound One Nine Hundred (Dialed In) in his sophomore debut off the bench at Aqueduct Feb. 7. Only two 3-year-olds have run faster races on the Beyer scale this year–Journalism (Curlin) (108) and Magnitude (Not This Time) (108).

Colloquial's debut second–beaten just a nose by Fierceness (City of Light)'s full-brother and subsequent GIII Futurity S. winner Mentee–at Aqueduct last June was highlighted in our 'Second Chances' series.

The $240,000 Keeneland September graduate is campaigned in partnership by Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing. Colloquial hails from the first crop of the promising Spendthrift Farm stallion and Weaver-trained Vekoma, who is already responsible for a quartet of graded winners.

Colloquial was produced by the John Oxley-bred, two-time winner Terminology (Bernardini). His third dam is Oxley's GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Gal in a Ruckus. He was bred in Kentucky by Michael and J.B. Orem.

Watch the full replay as COLLOQUIAL turns back the challenge and captures the Lafayette (L)! pic.twitter.com/Ax9Xu6fbh1

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 7, 2025

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BALTIMORE, MD — Much has been said about the genuine friendship between Hall of Famers D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert that has developed over the years. And the lively banter between the two, as well as several of the other members of the training ranks in attendance at Thursday's Preakness Alibi Breakfast, did nothing to dispel that notion.

Completely sidestepping the suggested seating assignments, Baffert planted himself at Lukas's table, which also included John Bellinger, who makes up BC Stables with partner Brian Coelho. The team is represented in this year's Preakness by American Promise (Justify), winner of the Virginia Derby.

Baffert, who will be looking for his record ninth Preakness Saturday with 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), most recently won the second leg of the Triple Crown with National Treasure (Quality Road) in 2023. Lukas, who sent out the upset-minded Seize the Grey (Arrogate) last year, stands only one win behind Baffert.

Hosted by TV personality Michelle Yu, the traditional trainer commentary kicked off with a few friendly jabs between the two training titans. After taking a few swipes at Baffert for opting for On Clouds running shoes instead of cowboy boots, Lukas offered a light-hearted joke at the expense of the absent Brendan Walsh, who saddles GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes victor Gosger (Nyquist) Saturday.

“I asked Brendan, 'Why is it that the Irish got all the potatoes and the Arabs got all the oil?”

“And?” asked Yu.

“Because the Irish had first choice.”

“Here we go,” said Baffert amidst the extended laughter.

Taking a moment to strike a more serious note, Baffert interjected, “I love the Preakness. I love the tradition of the Triple Crown races.”

Bob Baffert at Thursday's Preakness Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico | Christina Bossinakis

With the absence of GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) from the Preakness lineup, Baffert weighed in on the debate.

“I hope they don't change it because it was 37 years when American Pharoah won and that had to be the biggest sports statement that we made,” he said. “I think the Triple Crown is still important even though it's tough, it takes a really special horse to do it.”

Lukas briefly turned his attention to Michael McCarthy, who brings Kentucky Derby runner-up and Preakness morning-line favorite Journalism (Curlin) to this year's renewal.

“I tried to help him out but he didn't listen. He put his horse in the Derby-winning stall, which is the kiss of death.”

With tongue firmly in cheek, Lukas added, “Bob said to leave him in there, but I told him to move him over.”

Baffert immediately jumped to McCarthy's defense.

“Wayne is wrong,” he said. “Silver Charm won out of that stall. Real Quiet and War Emblem also won out of that stall.”

Lukas countered, “Don't make him feel comfortable. He already has the favorite!”

Baffert responded, “The best horse wins the race, Wayne. No matter what stall he's in. I think McCarthy looks pretty good right now,”

“I do too,” conceded Lukas. “I think, Mike, it's his race to lose.”

Baffert fires back with a hint of irony, “Yes, Mike, it's your race to lose.”

With an even-keeled volley, McCarthy got into the ring.

“[Lukas] had me going yesterday pretty good. Last time I was here, I had my first runner [Rombauer], and winner, from the [vicinity of the] 16- 17-18 stalls. So, if I get beat from the stall I am today by one of those two guys, I'll take my hat off.”

In an unusual stroke from the typically reserved horseman, McCarthy threw down the gauntlet.

“Next year, we'll come back and run from the Journalism stall, how does that sound?”

It didn't take long for the Hall of Famers to rope in another Hall of Famer into the mix.

“You know what, we have to watch out for that Mark Casse,” said Lukas. “He's won the Sovereign Award up in Canada about 35 times [fact check: it's 16 Sovereign titles].”

“What happens in Canada, stays in Canada,” quipped Baffert.

Casse trains GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit), who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby last time out.

Despite obviously needing to turn the attention to the other trainers in attendance, Yu cleverly kept the two legends in play.

“You don't know Jamie? Come, Jamie, meet The Coach,” Yu said to Jamie Osborne, who will saddle the European invader Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), who was nosed out of the win last time in the G2 UAE Derby.

“He almost beat me [Bayern] in the Breeders' Cup Classic with Toast of New York [in 2014]. That was a great race,” recalled Baffert.

“Yeah, he said 'what was that horse that finished second trained by that Brit that looks like Austin Powers,” dead panned Osborne to peels of laughter.

The conversation took a sharp turn to a potential match-making between one of Baffert's remaining single sons and Osborne's daughter, Saffie, who will be riding Heart of Honor Saturday.

“I wouldn't wish her on my worst enemy,” quipped Osborne to another wave of laughter.

Yu also looped in Michael Gorham, who trains Federico Tesio winner Pay Billy (Improbable). The Midlantic-based Gorham advised on the purchase of the $60,000 OBSAPR graduate, who is the first horse campaigned by newbie owners RKTN Stables.

“What are you doing in September,” extended Lukas. “We'll go to the sale together.”

Rounding back to Casse, Lukas once again poked at Casse's connections (Fact check: Mark Casse is NOT Canadian. He IS American).

Craftily constructing a bait-and-switch, Casse dead-panned, “That's the nice thing about the Preakness, we are all in the same barn. So, I have to listen to that every day.”

And according to Casse, his other barnmate, also liked to poke some fun too.

“I tell Bob about a good restaurant, and he tells me, 'what would you know about a good restaurant, you live in Ocala.'

This is what I deal with every day.”

Rounding out a laughter-filled morning, Casse summed up his journey with a hint of emotion lacing the dual Hall of Famer's voice.

“On a more serious note, I could not be more proud to be considered in the group that I am,” he said. “To think that, when I started 47 years ago, I would be sitting here today with two of the greatest of all time and them talking about me, it's great.”

Wayne Lukas at the Alibi Breakfast Thursday | Christina Bossinakis

The post No Alibis, Just Fun: The Wayne and Bob Show at the Preakness Alibi Breakfast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Edited Press Release

The Delaware Jockeys' Health and Welfare Benefits Fund held their fifth annual Jockey Health Day on Monday, May 12, 2025. The event was hosted by Premier Physical Therapy & Sports Performance with assistance from ChristianaCare.

Dr. Jordan Cohen, Dr. Chin-Hen Chang, and Dr. Taj Shorter with ChristianaCare, along with athletic trainers Jenna Thatcher, Ashley Anders, and Tyesha Alston with Premier Physical Therapy and Sports Performance, provided Delaware Park jockeys with required physicals and baseline testing free of charge. Jockeys were also provided emergency medical tags to wear on safety vests.

The Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefits Fund provides comprehensive health, life, and disability insurance benefits, along with free mental health counseling for Delaware Park Jockeys and their dependents.

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Officials at Ontario Racing have launched the new hashtag #betontario in an effort to encourage those that live in the Canadian province to wager on races from Ontario. Ontario Racing is encouraging horseplayers to make use of the hashtag across social media.

According to a release from Ontario Racing, Home Market Area (HMA) wagering is the primary source of funding for critical horse breeding programs, but it has declined by 12.6% over the course of the last two fiscal years and dropped 6.5% from $733 million to $686 million in the last fiscal year alone. The decline has already led to a decrease in funding for programs under the Horse Improvement Program (HIP) managed by Ontario Racing. HIP supports the breeding and racing of Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds and Quarter Horses. HMA wagering accounts for about 60% of all HIP funding.

Andrew Gaughan, the independent chair of Ontario Racing, said that the advent and proliferation of online sports and casino betting platforms has had a negative impact on horse racing.

“HMA wagering is under competitive siege from the advent and proliferation of advertising and aggressive player marketing from well-funded and deeply capitalized licensed digital gaming operators in Ontario and this decline in HMA wagering in the last two years amounts to an annualized loss of about $11-12 million of horse racing industry income,” Gaughan said. “It means we have had to trim about $3 million annually from the respective HIP programs and budgets in addition to the industry income loss.”

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Revel at the Races, a night of live music and hospitality held Thursday, June 5 at the Night Owl in Saratoga Springs, will open the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga weekend, Sports Illustrated announced Thursday. In partnership with The New York Racing Association, Inc., this event will be headlined by artist and rapper G-Eazy. Tickets are on sale now and are available here.

The event follows the successful second annual late-night Revel at the Races held during Kentucky Derby Weekend.

“Revel at the Races is a natural extension of Sports Illustrated's legacy as a brand that celebrates sports culture at the highest level,” said Matt Goldstein, Executive Vice President, Entertainment & Special Projects at Authentic, the parent company of SI. “We are thrilled to bring this unforgettable fan experience to Belmont for the first time and to help energize one of the most historic weekends in horse racing.”

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Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-03), Rep. Don Davis (NC-01), and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA) in the U.S. House (HR 3378) and Senate Wednesday, which they call “a bipartisan, bicameral effort to deliver a constitutional solution to safety regulation in the horse racing industry,” according to a press release issued Thursday. The release says the legislation is backed by industry organizations representing tens of thousands of horsemen and is endorsed by the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA), the United States Trotting Association (USTA), the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians (NAARV), and others.

The RHSA would establish an interstate compact to develop nationwide rules governing scientific medication control and racetrack safety for horse racing. The sponsors' intent is that the RHSA would replace the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 (HISA).

“The Racehorse Health and Safety Act is…rooted in science and draws from industry experts. It is of horsemen, by horsemen, and for horsemen. This legislation protects horses and horsemen while reasserting state sovereignty and pushing back against federal oppression,” said Rep. Clay Higgins.

“Congress must prioritize the establishment of equitable and consistent standards within the horse racing industry. In pursuit of this, we are supporting legislation that promotes improved safety regulations through a thoughtful and pragmatic framework,” said Rep. Don Davis.

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TIMONIUM, MD – The under-tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, delayed a day and an hour by rain storms, opened under gray skies and an intermittent drizzle Wednesday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds as seven juveniles splashed down the lane in co-fastest :10 1/5 furlong breezes.

First to hit the :10 1/5 time was a colt by Tiz the Law (hip 189), who worked early in the second of the day's seven sets. Consigned by Wavertree Stables, the bay is out of stakes-placed Janis's Joy (Broken Vow). He was bred by Frankfort Park Farm and was purchased by Deuce Greathouse, on behalf of Pura Vida Investments, for $95,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“We've always really liked him,” Greathouse said of the juvenile. “He had plenty of Constitution to him, plenty of bone. That sort of line of horse has a little more scope and leg and wants to go further and he looked like he could grow into that type of horse.”

Greathouse's Pura Vida Investments partnership has enjoyed success on the racetrack with the likes of 2023 GII Saratoga Special winner Rhyme Schemes (Ghostzapper) and stakes winner Smokey Smokey (Mendelssohn). Hip 189 is among the group's first pinhooking prospects.

“Pura Vida has been racing for a while and we decided we could also buy some horses to pinhook,” Greathouse said. “We had some people who weren't into the racing as much. We have five [to pinhook in Timonium]. We decided to give them all more time and take them here. Hopefully, we will have a good first entry.”

The partnership was also represented on the track Wednesday by a filly by Practical Joke (hip 113) who worked in :10 2/5 and a filly by Knicks Go (hip 18) who worked in :10 4/5.

During Thursday's under-tack session, Pura Vida will be represented by a filly by Liam's Map (hip 201) and a filly by Street Sense (hip 280).

Of the seven horses to work the furlong in :10 1/5 Wednesday in Timonium, four were by first-crop sires. Leading off the group was a son of Yaupon (hip 194, video), who was consigned by Steve Venosa's SGV Thoroughbreds. The bay colt is out of multiple graded stakes winner Just Jenda (Menifee) and is a half-brother to stakes winner Jenda's Agenda (Proud Citizen), who is the dam of graded winner Just Cindy (Justify). Bred in New York by Milfer Farm, he was purchased by SGV Thoroughbreds for $130,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“We held him specifically back to come up here,” Venosa said of the colt. “Being a New York-bred, we really wanted to showcase his ability up here. He came up here and performed on the racetrack today, which a lot of horses are struggling to get through. But he showed up.”

Yaupon's lone starter to date, Sassy C W, was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following her 5 1/4-length debut win at Churchill Apr. 30.

“Just as a bunch, they are very solid,” Venosa said of Yaupon's first crop of runners. “Going into the yearling sales, he was one of the ones that we knew we would try to get.”

SGV Thoroughbreds is coming off a successful OBS April sale, where the consignment offered the auction's top two lots, a $1.5-million son of Tiz the Law and a $1.45-million colt by Gun Runner.

“You are only as good as the last horse you sold,” Venosa said. “You can't look back in this business. It is livestock and every day you walk into the barn–anybody who trains horses can understand that–anything can happen. I have a really outstanding team. And I can't do it without them. Coming up here, the pressure was kind of off, but we were really excited about the bunch we brought up here. So we were looking forward to this and today we started out pretty good.”

Hip 199 | Fasig-Tipton

Just minutes after hip 194 turned in his furlong bullet work, a first-crop son of Grade I winner Maxfield (hip 199, video) matched the mark for the Hartley/de Renzo Thoroughbreds consignment. Randy Hartley and Dean de Renzo purchased the youngster, out of multiple stakes winner and multiple graded placed Kathballu (Bluegrass Cat), for $250,000 at the Keeneland September sale.

For de Renzo, it was a formula destined to work.

“You know how to make great apple pie?” he asked with a smile. “Start with great apples. That makes it real easy. They just know how to do it, so all we have to do is keep them good. Thank God we have.”

Maxfield, winner of the 2021 GI Clark Stakes, was represented by his first winner when Piedra Preciosa scored on debut at Horseshoe Indianapolis May 3. The Darley stallion currently leads first-crop sires by average with 20 sold for an average of $268,894.

“Their physicals have really caught our eyes,” de Renzo said of the Maxfields he has seen. “We liked enough of them that we actually bought a baby by Maxfield knowing they are going to be a bubble year, but I have confidence in him. What a great racehorse and a pedigree he had. When you have those female families like Maxfield has, they make it. The genes keep flowing. And this colt has a fantastic female family as well, so the cross works beautifully. When we pick them as yearlings, that's what we really look for. A lot of female family.”

Of the muddy conditions Wednesday, de Renzo said, “We have been coming here 35 years and we know this racetrack and how they take care of it, so I felt very confident when they said they have a safe track and we are going to go. I had no doubts it would be a safe track. After 35 years, I think they've kind of proven themselves to us for sure. I know Boyd [Browning] would never chance hurting any horse. These track guys have been here 11 years on the same track, they know the track and the surface and what they have to do with it. And they've worked hard trying to squeeze some of the water off. I watched them do it all night.”

Grassroots Training and Sales sent out a first-crop son of multiple graded winner Engage (hip 96, video) to share Wednesday's bullet. The dark bay colt is out of Ecliptical Mary (In Summation) and was purchased by the operation for $14,000 at last year's OBS October sale.

Wavertree Stables had its second bullet worker of the session when a colt from the first crop of Galilean (hip 187, video) worked late in the day. The bay is out of It's Timeless (Mineshaft) and was purchased by Bronco Bloodstock for $95,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale last summer. He RNA'd for $160,000 following a :10 1/5 work at the OBS March sale.

Rounding out Wednesday's bullet furlong workers were: a filly by Classic Empire (hip 20, video) consigned by Endurance Equine and a filly by Blame (hip 64, video) consigned by Crane Thoroughbred Services.

Of the six juveniles to work a quarter-mile over the muddy track in Timonium Wednesday, a gelding by Complexity (hip 54) earned the bullet with a time of :21 4/5. Consigned by Hoppel LLC, the chestnut is out of Cheerleader (Flashy Bull). Jesse Hoppel purchased the youngster for $35,000 at the Fasig-Tipton October sale last fall and he was originally targeted at the OBS April sale.

Hip 54 | Fasig-Tipton

“That horse was in the April sale and cut his knee on the stall door and we had to scratch him,” Hoppel said. “He would have been a real respectable horse in April, but it was just bad luck we had to take him out. He had worked well on dirt at the farm, so we had no qualms about bringing him here.”

The unfortunate timing might have worked out for the best, Hoppel admitted with a laugh.

“At OBS, that horse would have been breezing with two other horses of mine that went :20 2/5 on the same day he would have been breezing,” Hoppel said. “Him cutting his knee solved some problems for me because I didn't know which of them I was going to put first in the breeze show that day. So the fact that he cut his knee and defaulted to come to Maryland helped me out a bunch.”

The Fasig Midlantic sale is the only major 2-year-old sale with an under-tack show conducted over a dirt surface.

“The buyers like to see it [works over the dirt], however, in unique circumstances, it is not always feasible,” Hoppel said. “We've all seen races canceled due to weather. A day like today, everyone is talking about the condition of the track. If we were at OBS right now–a lot of people are not keen on that Polytrack down there–but a day like today, it handles water very well. So I think both surfaces have their pluses and minuses. When everything is perfect, we love to see these horses on the dirt. But we can't control the weather. So our surface back at OBS can help us with some of the crazy Florida weather we get.”

Also pragmatic about the conditions Wednesday, Wavertree's Ciaran Dunne admitted, “It's not ideal. I don't think there is anyone here, given their druthers, who would want to work on it, but it is what it is. When they say they want a dirt track, this is what they get when it rains.”

With additional rain expected overnight in Timonium, the start of Thursday's second session of the under-tack preview has been pushed back an hour and will begin at 9 a.m.

The Midlantic May sale will be held next Monday and Tuesday. Monday's session will begin at 1 p.m. and Tuesday's session will begin at 11 a.m.

The post Seven Share Bullet at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Under-Tack Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Baltimore, MD–It was very evident that something big is looming following a simple stroll around the Pimlico backstretch Wednesday morning. Despite the intermittent rain and the resulting soggy conditions following several days of drenching downpours, several fan tours could be seen milling about, getting a behind-the-scenes look of many of Saturday's GI Preakness Stakes participants.

While most trainers can outmaneuver Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas physically these days, few will beat him and his horses to the racetrack in the mornings. Outfitted with his brand-spanking new rain gear, an on-the-fly purchase courtesy of wife Laurie, The Coach's stakes team–led by Preakness contender American Promise (Justify)–were among the first to appear at 6 a.m. Early Preakness favorite Journalism (Curlin), runner-up behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GI Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, and European invader Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.) followed about an hour later. 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), coming off a front-running triumph in a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer on the Derby undercard, in addition to GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit), were also among those who went out for some light work on a dreary morning.

On-hand to watch Derby seventh Sandman go about his daily business, West Point Thoroughbreds' Terry Finley and internet influencer Griffin Johnson were among the colt's partnership members to make an appearance mid-week.

“It's been a whirlwind in a nutshell, getting with Sandman,” said Johnson, who owns a share of Sandman. “When you own a piece of a horse, you never know what you're going to get. That's part of the fun, right? Obviously, Sandman has been a fantastic horse with a supreme amount of talent, and he has taken me on arguably the best journey that I could ever experience. I'm really just glad to be here. I'm soaking it in. Most importantly, I'm trying to share that dream with everyone I can and be authentic and experiential as I can.”

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, who previously won the second jewel of the Triple Crown with War of Will (War Front) in 2019 and finished a head second with Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) in 2017, pulled double duty Wednesday, cooling out the grey himself following his morning exertions.

Sandman and Mark Casse | C Bossinakis

“I'm trying to get in shape for Saratoga,” Casse quipped when Lukas, seated in his usual spot by his barn office door, attempted to offer the services of his own staff to assist with the task.

With the Derby winner's connections having opted to miss what they consider to be a quick turnaround in the Preakness, much of the hubbub Wednesday morning revolved around Michael McCarthy and Journalism. Engulfed by the media Wednesday morning, McCarthy, who in his first attempt won the Preakness with Rombauer (Twirling Candy) in 2021, showed some signs of nervous anticipation of things to come, while his GI Santa Anita Derby-winning charge looked the picture of health and controlled energy that one might hope to see in a 3-year-old returning off a big race two weeks ago.

“He's a wonderful athlete. He's got the looks and size,” McCarthy said. “He's got the mechanics of a very good horse. His resume speaks for itself. He's a special, special talent.”

Somewhat bittersweet, Saturday will mark the final running of the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown at 'Old Hilltop' before it is demolished to make way for a modern building that is scheduled for completion in time for the 2027 Preakness. Laurel Park will host next year's 151st Preakness.

While very few will argue that it is time for the original facility to the go the way of the dodo, there remains a warm affection for a plant that will have seen 150 renewals of the Classic race, including 13 Triple Crown winners, by the time the doors close for the final time this season.

“Of course, everyone complains about the current building, that's one of the things everyone likes to do when they come here,” said longtime Gulfstream on-air personality Ron Nicoletti, who has also served as part of the on-air team covering the Preakness week races for much of the past decade. “I cursed along with everyone else when I had to walk up 16 flights of stairs because the elevator doesn't work or you have to take the outside elevator [temporary lift] that feels like a carnival ride. But when you get up there, everyone is great and I find the people that work here and that are based here are all very welcoming. I just have very good memories here. It feels like home to me. Racetracks like this are few and far in between. Gulfstream was redone. Belmont is being redone, and there is no more Arlington Park. This one feels like when I was a kid, with rickety stairs and all. I really wanted to be here for this last year. You get goose bumps when you realize that this will be the last time the Preakness will be run here. I wouldn't miss it for the world.”

In stark contrast, while most agree that it is time to draw the curtains on Pimlico, the same cannot be said about the considerable debate swirling around calls to increase the time between each leg of the Triple Crown.

There are few things in horse racing as steeped in tradition and history as the Triple Crown. Initially identified as the Triple Crown in the 1930s, it would take two more decades before it would officially be recognized as such. And since then, the series would remain fundamentally unchanged, most notably in regard to its timing on the calendar and the five-week spacing between the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and GI Belmont Stakes.

While the purists believe the current spacing through the series should remain just the way it is, others have begun to espouse some of the benefits in spreading the Classics out to four weeks between each leg.

Standing solidly on 'Team Tradition' is Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who believes the quick turnaround between the three Classics is achievable with the right horse.

“I am not so sure that horses are so physically different now,” said Lukas when asked about whether present-day Thoroughbreds are bred to handle the five-week schedule anymore. “I think it's the training and the mentality with what you're doing with them that has changed. Baffert and I have won 15 [Preakness Stakes] between us. Our horses both generally get into the race. And, a couple of weeks out, our horses will have fast works. If you throw that out to some of the young trainers, they will think that's too fast [between races]. We lean on them. But our record speaks for itself. The whole secret in this game is learning how to read the horse. It's knowing when to back off or when to push ahead.”

And despite the vast spread in age between the horsemen, Michael McCarthy agrees with the 89-year-old legend in keeping the current five-week schedule intact.

Michael McCarthy | C Bossinakis

“I may be a bit of a traditionalist, but I think the three races in five weeks is good,” opined McCarthy. “It takes a special horse to get to these races. It takes a special horse to run in them, let alone win all three of them.”

“Our first Triple Crown starter was Rombauer. I thought to myself, 'that was awfully easy',” he quipped. “Obviously, it's not. There is a lot of luck involved. The daily operation is every day, but there are several variables that are out of your hands. But I like it the way it is.”

Offering a completely different take on the issue is another Hall of Famer, Mark Casse, who picks up the mantle for 'Team Evolution'.

“If you had asked me this question a year ago, I would have had a different answer,” he said. “After analyzing it, I think right now our sport is headed in the right direction. To make the Preakness and Belmont better, I think we need to separate them some. I wouldn't have said that. But you have horsemen like Bill Mott, who is one of the greatest of all time, in addition to guys like Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher, they are not comfortable with the two weeks. And we need those guys. We need those horses to run.”

Drawing on a situation that has appeared to have worked in drawing the best horses to the biggest races, Casse pointed to a track that he has supported heavily over the years.

“At Woodbine, they used to have the Woodbine Oaks two weeks before the [Queen's] King's Plate, and the horses wouldn't come back for the Plate. But when they moved it to a month out, now they come back and run [in the first jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown]. So, if you pushed up the Kentucky Oaks two weeks, and now it's a month out from the Preakness, they might come back and run there. Or maybe run in the Black-Eyed Susan. That can open the door to a Triple Tiara. And if there was a bonus there, that might provide added incentive.”

He continued, “This issue is not going away. In the 1940s, there weren't all these drug regulations and hoops that we need to jump through today. This is a different day and age. This is not 1940, this is 2025. If you stand still, you get run over. We have some momentum right now and we can take action and do something about it.”

Pointing to those who argue that the Triple Crown is meant to be hard and that many feel that adding more time between races would make it 'easier' to achieve the triple, Casse was pragmatic.

“Change is already here. We have the Belmont running at Saratoga [at 10 furlongs] and next year the Preakness will be at Laurel,” he said. “It's supposed to be tough. That's 100% right. But if you space them to a month between races, now you get the best horses. And it's still tough.”

While unity in racing often proves to be a difficult thing to achieve, Casse argues that it is possible with the proper motivation.

“Everybody has to get together,” he said. “I saw it with everyone coming together for the decoupling issue in Florida. It was nice. So, we can do it. We have to keep doing that.”

The post Big Guns Converge on ‘Old Hilltop’ For Final Preakness Run at Historic Facility appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU)'s “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 05/13/2025

Licensee: Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Legal Empress, who finished second at Oaklawn Park on 3/1/25.

Date: 05/13/2025

Licensee: Fausto Gutierrez, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Quatrocento, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/28/25.

Date: 05/12/2025

Licensee: Robert Thomas Paterno, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Nouveau Depart on 4/1/25.

Date: 05/12/2025

Licensee: Nicholas Vaccarezza, trainer

Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Final decision of HIWU.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Military Cruiser on 3/28/25.

Date: 05/09/2025

Licensee: Raymond Valerio, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from King Adrock, who won at Turf Paradise on 4/8/25.

Date: 05/09/2025

Licensee: Sherry Janice Armstrong, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Barossa, who won at Sunland Park on 3/28/25.

Date: 05/09/2025

Licensee: Kelli Martinez, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Charter Oak, who won at Will Rogers on 4/1/25.

Date: 05/09/2025

Licensee: Shane Meyers, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Holidays Army Brat, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/24/25.

Date: 05/09/2025

Licensee: Megan Fadlovich, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Ivory Sky, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/19/25.

Date: 05/08/2025

Licensee: Tareq Moubarak, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Rocky Seas, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 2/16/25.

Pending ADMC Violations

05/13/2025, Michael Trombetta, trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violation for the presence of Altronogest-a banned substance-in a sample taken from By the Sey Shore on 4/13/25.

05/12/2025, Tonja Wilson, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Witsec, who finished second at Will Rogers on 4/14/25.

05/12/2025, Stephen Trevino, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Miss Shady, who won at Mahoning Valley on 4/2/25.

05/08/2025, Joel Marr, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Let Her Be, who won at Turf Paradise on 2/13/25.

05/08/2025, Eusebio Juarez, trainer: Pending alleged violation for the possession of Diisopropylamine-a banned substance-for an event dated 1/29/25. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)-Possession of Banned Substances.

05/08/2025, Angel Sanchez Pinero, trainer: Provisional suspension for multiple violations, including of Rule 2215 related to the welfare of the horse, Rule 2252 related to maintaining thorough medical records for the horses in his care, Rule 8100 (a) related to failure to cooperate with the HISA Authority during an investigation, and of Rule 8100 (b) related to the failure to respond truthfully to official questions.

According to the “Notice of Violation and Provisional Suspension of Registration” posted at the bottom of this page, Pinero allegedly failed to produce medical records for 10 different horses.

Pinero faces five Anti-doping and Medication Control (ADMC) rule violations involving four different banned substances (Formoterol, Boldenone, DHEA, and Albuterol) and one controlled medication rule violation for a Phenylbutazone overage, according to the notice.

Violations of Crop Rule

Thistledown

Luis Raul Rivera – violation date May 8; $150 fine

The post National Regulatory Rulings, May 8 – May 14 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The story of the legendary three-times Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) could scarcely be more international in nature.

The bay was produced by an American-bred daughter of Distorted Humor who was raced to Group 2 success in Ireland, was sold on to Australian interests and was subsequently bred to the outstanding Medaglia d'Oro, who was on his dual-hemisphere missions at the time.

Sold as a yearling on the Gold Coast in Queensland and as a ready-to-run prospect in New Zealand, Golden Sixty plied his trade in Hong Kong, and the rest, as they say–10 Group 1s and $21.2 million in earnings later–is history.

There is set to be a full-circle moment of sorts when a yearling colt by Medaglia d'Oro out of Golden Sixty's aptly named half-sister Golden Sister (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}) is offered at this year's Keeneland September Sale. Eaton Sales will consign the colt.

Golden Sixty was purchased for just over US$88,000 at Magic Millions in 2017 (he would go on to make better than US$200,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock breeze-up sale later that year)–but his then-yearling half-sister by G1 Golden Slipper-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Capitalist was the subject of higher scrutiny, given that Golden Sixty was a month removed from his first elite-level success in the 2020 Longines Hong Kong Mile at the time of the sale. All Winners Thoroughbreds paid US$330,000 for Golden Sister at the Gold Coast Sale.

It didn't work out for Golden Sister at the races, in fact, she never faced the starter, and she boarded a flight bound for the Northern Hemisphere in July 2022. After a circuitous trip, the filly was sent to Winchester Farm of Dr. Naoya and Marie Yoshida, the latter of whom has her finger on the pulse of Australasian bloodstock markets and who gave Golden Sister a serious look at the Gold Coast in the throes of COVID-19 in January 2021.

“I gave her an A+ for conformation and walk,” Marie Yoshida said in a TDN interview in early 2023.

Medaglia d'Oro's days as a shuttle stallion ended in 2018, and it was always an easy decision–a 'no-brainer'–to send Golden Sister to the Darley stalwart in Kentucky. The mare foaled a colt on Mar. 3, 2024, and according to Yoshida, he has the makings of a horse which should appeal to buyers from all corners of the globe.

“He has more of the physical attributes of a turf horse than a dirt horse I would say and of course you're buying the 'dream', because it's going to be such a rare offering,” said Yoshida. “He has Australian characteristics and is suitable for Hong Kong, but he could even be suitable for Japan.”

Described by Yoshida as a horse that is a “good walker with good conformation,” the Golden Sister colt has never been treated with kid gloves despite his regal bloodlines.

“We raise them in a very traditional and natural way,” she said. “It was a very tough winter, but they didn't receive any special care. No coming into the stall if it was too cold or icy or snowy. They need this for their upbringing. You want them to be as tough as nails. He doesn't get any special treatment, the natural method is the best.”

It might have made some sense for the colt to be offered as a foal at Keeneland last fall, but Yoshida and the colt's ownership opted for a more patient approach.

Golden Sixty | Horsephotos/Tomoya Moriuchi

“We could even have been tempted last November, but he just wasn't ready, he's a horse for September,” she explained. “We expect that he will peak right at the beginning of September, he'll need the summer to mature.”

Given his Australian roots, the success of his half-brother in a rugged environment such as Hong Kong and given that Japanese raiders routinely took a beating from Golden Sixty when they tried in vain to take him on at Sha Tin, the colt could well be the subject of interest from those jurisdictions, Yoshida said. But she suggests there is plenty to like from the perspective of an end user or a reseller in this country.

“While this horse has all the quality required by any Australian judge or those that pick out horses for Hong Kong, he could very well appeal to the American market too,” she said. “The [Grade I] Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf is a very exciting option for young horses, and you have races such as the Belmont series for 3-year-olds and Kentucky Downs has created some very valuable races, such as the [$3.5-million] Nashville Derby. So a colt such as this represents an interesting opportunity to target those sorts of races.”

Golden Sister was bred back to Medaglia d'Oro after being given some time post-foaling last spring, but she did not catch, and she was returned to the stallion to Southern Hemisphere time in early September 2024. She is currently in foal, and after she delivers in late August, the mare could make one more visit to Medaglia d'Oro, with the possibility of returning to the Southern Hemisphere.

The post Keeneland September-Bound Colt Offers ‘Golden’ Opportunity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

It will be a busy day at the GI Preakness S. for the West Point Thoroughbreds team as they have four horses entered on the day at Pimlico. But none is more important than Sandman (Tapit), a horse they co-own along with DJ Stable, St. Elias Stable and CJ Stables. He finished seventh in the GI Kentucky Derby, but his owners have decided to give him a chance to make amends. Despite there being only being two weeks between the first two legs of the Triple Crown, Sandman will run in Saturday's Preakness.

To talk about Sandman, the Preakness, the Triple Crown and other subjects, West Point Founder and President Terry Finley joined the team on this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

Originally, the connections had said they were going to pass the Preakness and point for the GI Belmont S. What changed their minds?

“(Trainer) Mark (Casse) just felt like it was a good spot to go in with the way everything developed and, obviously, the Derby winner not coming,” said Finley. So I think he put two and two together. I look at the really top-end horsemen across the country and I think there are people that don't mind changing their minds. Mark is a Hall of Famer and in Mark Casse we trust. I was really glad to hear that we were going in the Preakness.”

Even though Sandman is one of only three Derby starters to come back in the Preakness, Finley has joined the camp that believes the Triple Crown needs to be changed with more time between the races.

“I've evolved,” he said. “I try to stay away from people that are absolutely against evolving in their thoughts and their outlooks. And I've evolved here. At first, I really didn't think it was the right thing to do. Looking at what's happened the last couple of years, we'd be better off running in the beginning of May, the beginning of June and the beginning of July. I'd love to hear from NYRA on this. But it would only add a couple of weeks, right? Instead of it being a five-week series, it would be an eight or nine-week series. I don't think that puts us in a position where we lose all. I understand and acknowledge that there are very valid reasons on really both sides of the question. But ultimately, it's time for our game to change. We know that we don't run our horses as much as we used to. If we don't change, I think this will happen again and again and again.”

Finley teamed up with America's Best Racing to bring social media influencer Griffin Johnson aboard for Derby week. Johnson was given a 2.5 percent interest in the horse and was asked to promote Sandman, the Derby and racing in general during Derby week on his many social media accounts. Young, articulate and likeable, Johnson was a huge hit.

“He was a powerful force overall. I think we all saw it,” Finley said. “You can't really have somebody parachute in the week of the Derby and throw some things up on social media and expect the storm that we had over the last couple of weeks with Griffin. You have to have somebody who's really dedicated, who's into the process and has been there for a sustained period of time.

“Griffin joined the ownership group last spring after we bought this colt at the OBS sale,” Finley said. “And he's been really involved at every step of the way. I think about the times where we didn't run well and he was still upbeat and he still wanted to learn and kind of explore the fields and the races and the strategy and the rides and everything else. So I think very quickly I saw that this influencer was really different from the others that I've experienced and that I was aware of. So look, I've said it to a couple of people. There's a reason why he's come into our industry. But our job now is to take advantage of this. We're going to get him another horse. I mean, he's forced me to give him another horse, which is fine. He's so he's so motivated. Griffin said to me that influencers can make a big difference and they have. He also said this is the first time he's been in a situation and have been affiliated with an industry that he's really, really been passionate about.”

In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, which is sponsored by WinStar, the home of the stallion Heartland, Randy Moss revealed that the fastest horse of the week was GII Man o'War S. winner Far Bridge (English Channel), who earned a 99 Beyer.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the KTOB, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV, the team of Moss, Zoe Cadman and Bill Finley went through the whole Preakness field horse by horse. All three agreed that Journalism should win and that Clever Again (American Pharoah) is the main threat.

To watch podcast, click here. For an audio version of the show, click here.

The post Terry Finley Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast to Discuss Preakness Starter Sandman appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

California-breds have long been a staple of the state's racing product. Since 2014, CA-breds have represented between 45% and 50% of all starters at Thoroughbred race meets. Since the consolidation of racing in the south of the state, that trend has continued.

From the start of the Santa Anita winter meeting through mid-March, Cal-breds made up about 47% of all individual starters, which includes both open races and those restricted to northern trainers. But with last year's foal crop (now yearlings) currently sitting at just below 1000 amid a breeding industry that has been waning for two decades—in line with national trends—California faces a decline in Cal-bred participants over the next few years.

Modeling performed for the TDN using available mares-bred and foal crop numbers, along with existing trend lines (more on this in a bit), suggests that there will be a combined 290 fewer Cal-bred runners competing in California between 2026 through 2028.

This could be a conservative estimate and doesn't factor in a possible larger-than-anticipated decline in mares bred in 2025, or a smaller-than-expected foal crop this year.

What does this mean to California's consolidated industry? It depends how you look at it.

The TDN sent its numbers to the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), executives for Santa Anita, Del Mar and Los Alamitos, along with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) and the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT).

The responses have been a mixed bag. Some declined to respond. Among those that did, several suggested that shrinking Cal-bred numbers could mean a further decline in overall races carded in California, for example, to maintain field sizes.

Another suggestion was that, under this new but evolving single-circuit structure, the number of Cal-bred races run in the south could actually increase.

The projected Cal-bred numbers are a concern, however, “and if anybody says that it's not concerning or is not an issue is putting their heads in the sand,” said Scott Chaney, the CHRB's executive director. “A logical question then is, 'what is the extent of this impact?'”

(NOTE: The TDN's calculations are based on historical DRF chart data, along with Jockey Club and CTBA foal crop and mares-bred data) 

The 3-year-old and 4-year-old Cal-bred runners currently competing in California's new consolidated program were foaled in 2021 and 2022, when the foal crops were 1323 and 1315 respectively.

In 2023, the California foal crop was 1191. According to the CTBA, the foal crop from 2024 currently stands at 983, though the organization said it expects the final number to eventually be nearer the 1000 mark.

To project what all this could mean over the next few years, the TDN's calculations used the following trend lines:

• Approximately 73% of the annual Cal-bred foal crop that get to the races make a start in California.
• Roughly 29% of the Cal-bred foal crop race as two-year-olds.
• An 8.6% annual decrease in mares bred in California.

The crunched numbers suggest a combined 290 fewer Cal-breds competing in California between 2026 and 2028—what works out at 82 fewer Cal-breds in 2026, 93 in 2027, and 115 in 2028.

If the same trends continue, the loss annually of on average 97 Cal-bred starters amounts to about 5% of the overall Cal-bred starters each of those years.

This doesn't seem an insurmountable number to overcome, if indeed California's leaders see the current program as a baseline from which to build.

If that's the case, two key questions arise. One is this: what if these projected numbers are either an undercount or an overcount?

The TDN gave each of the key organizations an opportunity to digest and to dispute the numbers, and to share any comparable data of their own. None said they had run their own projections.

The second question is this: what coordinated strategy does California's leaders have in place to address the impending Cal-bred inventory problem?

Earlier this year, the mood among California breeders about their plans for this year varied considerably. Some said they feared that lack of racing opportunities will drive significant contraction at the lower end of the market especially, while in some quarters they were optimistic that years of declining trends will now lead to a period of economic stasis or even tentative growth.

Sarah Andrew photo

One of those interviewed was Tom Clark, the owner of Rancho San Miguel and a mainstay of the state breeding industry, who predicted a one-third drop-off in mares bred this year.

Reached this week, Clark said he's now expecting a roughly 25% decline in mares bred. Having recently put Rancho San Miguel on the market, Clark explained he's not seeking to liquidate his stock but rather to hold out for someone with “vision and passion” to assume the reins in his stead.

Given the ongoing nature of the current breeding season, CTBA president Doug Burge said he doesn't yet have hard numbers for this year's foal crop, nor the overall numbers of mares bred.

“I'm getting mixed answers,” said Burge, about mares-bred numbers. “I'm getting some of the bigger farms telling me they're breeding the same. And then I've got some farms, particularly in the north, telling me they're down.”

According to the TDN's calculation, if existing trend lines from the past decade continue for the next few years, the foal crop in 2030 will be 607.

“That's low. We're not going to get that low. If we get that low, I mean, there won't be…” said Burge, letting the thought trail off.

Is there a baseline Cal-bred foal-crop threshold? Burge believes that number to be somewhere between 850 and 950. If the foal crop threatens to drop below the 850 number, “we would stop the bleeding before that happens,” he said.

Burge said that he also believes that, while there will be a drop off in mares-bred again this year, from next year onwards, California's long-declining foal-crop will plateau. “I don't see this thing dropping off every year going forward,” he said.

What drives this expectation? Burge pointed to several factors that he believed were signs of such a stemming of the tide.

He said he expected the number of mares foaling in California bred to non-California stallions to remain stable. California breeder and stallion awards also increased between 2023 and 2024, and are expected to increase again this year, he said.

“The Cal-bred incentive program is still very strong,” he said, highlighting similar sentiments shared by major owner-breeder Terry Lovingier in February.

According to Burge, there are routine conversations “weekly, if not daily” between the various stakeholder groups about “how we can further expand the incentives for people to continue to invest in racing and breeding.”

Burge highlighted a recently-run $12,500 Cal-bred claiming race—which previously would have been restricted to northern horses but was opened up to all eligible Cal-breds.

“In the end, there were 14 horses entered. You were accommodating horses from the north, but you're also doing the best you can to keep the southern horses at the bottom level in the circuit as well,” said Burge. “And we will continue to look at how we can expand those opportunities.”

In his March 2024 letter to the CHRB threatening the closure of Santa Anita if the board continued to accommodate sustained racing in the North, former TSG executive Craig Fravel said that a consolidated program in the South could include a fourth day of weekly racing at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita | Benoit

The projected Cal-bred numbers strongly suggest that, without some large and unexpected influx of horses from out-of-state, that fourth day of racing is a pipedream, at least over the next few years.

Bill Nader, TOC president and CEO, discussed both the idea of further cuts to the racing calendar, and of using the current program as a baseline from which to grow. “It's still to me in early days,” he said, when asked about what the program will look like moving forward.

In discussing the ramifications from what the 2023, '24 and '25 mares-bred and foal crop numbers mean for the future state horse inventory, Nader chose to largely concentrate upon the recent positive trends out of the new model.

These positives include increases in handle, field size, and ADW and brick-and-mortar wagering both in-state and beyond, he said. The TOC's efforts to better manage CAW wagering also appear to have helped bolster the purse account.

These upward trend lines occur in the midst of what Nader said is a roughly 40% decline in races carded annually compared to last year.

“Everything is trending positively. So, for the first time in a long time, there's a bit of optimism,” said Nader, who indicated possible new tax incentives for breeders and owners.

For this positive momentum to continue, however, California needs runners—and Cal-bred runners especially.

“If folks think, 'oh, there's consolidation, purses are up in California—our work here is done,' that is a complete misunderstanding of the situation,” said Chaney, describing the biggest issue facing California as one of three things: “Purses, purses, and purses.”

Over the past year, there have been (so far unsuccessful) efforts to install Historic Horse Racing (HHR) machines at Santa Anita, and to pass legislation to accommodate this form of gambling in the state. Other ways to augment purses include direct government supplements, similar in effect to that enacted in New York and Maryland, said Chaney.

“I think something will happen because it has to,” said Chaney, when asked how likely it was that purse supplements materialize in California. “There is no other choice for the horse racing industry here.”

While the projected numbers paint a worrying landscape for the industry over the next few years, forewarned is forearmed. There's still time for those responsible for the lives and livelihoods of thousands of trainers, breeders, farm and backstretch workers in California to devise a coordinated action plan, with a set of realistic targets against which the success or failure of those efforts can be gauged.

Del Mar | Benoit

Santa Anita and Los Alamitos declined to speak for the story about what the projected Cal-bred numbers mean for their businesses. The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) wrote a short statement.

“Maintaining a viable state breeding program over the longer term is crucially important as Del Mar and other stakeholders work through the new single-circuit structure here and we are committed to providing opportunities and incentives for California-breds,” the DMTC wrote.

CTT executive director Alan Balch offered a far more critical assessment of the situation in an emailed statement.

“There's an old quote I've always believed in: 'the pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails,'” wrote Balch.

“In California, racing's sails have needed very serious adjusting for a long, long time: it's called strategic planning. For at least 15 years, the tracks, breeders, owners, and trainers, haven't had a single organized, serious meeting to address the threats which have been clearly visible for over 25 years.

“Successful strategy in any industry depends on reliable, objective, truthful information. For at least 15 years, CTT and Del Mar have jointly funded detailed, objective, annual data collection. Our increasing reliance on California-breds hasn't been hidden to anyone paying attention. Now the peril we face is literally ominous, since breeding itself is so future-oriented.”

Balch added: “Only with an urgent, immediate, serious commitment to joint strategic planning—involving how to persuade the State of California to help reverse the present perils to its agricultural economy—could we hope to mitigate what we're all facing.”

The post Will There Be Enough Cal-Breds to Fill Racing Cards In California? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF)'s second annual Soiree For Safety will take place Friday, May 23 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fair Hill DNR Tea Barn. All proceeds from the event support TERF's mission of promoting Thoroughbred health, welfare and racing safety. Since its founding in 2010, TERF's endowment has grown to over $2.5M and has awarded over 100 grants totaling more than $1M to support educational programs, student scholarships, and equine research projects consistent with TERF's mission.

The event will include a Q & A session with Dr. Scott Palmer, DVM, the Medical Director for the New York State Gaming Commission, who will discuss a data-based program at the tracks of the New York Racing Association that has improved safety for equine athletes and riders alike. There will also be a live auction of fine art and adventure experiences, including seats for this year's Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, donated by NYRA.

Tickets for the Soiree For Safety are $75 and include an open bar and hors d'oeuvres. For more information, visit terfusa.org.

The post TERF’s ‘Soiree For Safety’ Set For May 23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Wet weather in the Midlantic region not only resulted in messy tracks for morning training ahead of the Preakness at Pimlico and for the first under-tack session in advance of next week's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale, but also forced the cancellation of Wednesday's season-opening card at Delaware Park.

Wednesday's card was scheduled to begin at 12:35 p.m. ET and there was no immediate word from track management as to when and how the eight programmed races might be rescheduled.

Racing at Delaware Park is expected to resume Saturday, May 17, with the first of eight races scheduled to jump at 12:35 p.m.

The post Wet Weather Prompts Cancellation Of Delaware Opening Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.