Thoroughbred Daily News

Edited Press Release

Leadership representing Florida's five principal Thoroughbred industry organizations gathered in Ocala recently for a collaborative summit with the goal of uniting the Thoroughbred industry to help preserve and promote our Florida racing and breeding legacy by providing a clear and concise message to our elected officials at the local, state and national level to support our interests.

The organizations represented included leadership from the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA), Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA), Ocala Breeders' Sales Company (OBS), Tampa Bay Downs Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (TBDHBPA) and Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI).

Through constructive dialogue, the assembled leadership identified several key points of consensus to guide the industry in the months ahead.

Leadership confirmed opposition to decoupling efforts pursued by Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs during the 2025 Legislative Session, including severance of live racing from revenue [1] sharing agreements and any dramatic reduction in live racing days.

The group agreed that Florida Statutes, Chapter 550–the statute governing Florida's pari-mutuel and horse racing industries–is fundamentally broken and requires modernization. Of particular concern is the unregulated Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) market, which lacks transparency, contributes inadequately to purses, provides no support for breeders and operates outside statutory revenue-sharing structures that support live racing. The coalition committed to pursuing Chapter 550 reform once the 2026 decoupling landscape becomes clearer. No decoupling legislation has been filed to date.

Stakeholders expressed deep concern over the absence of an annual purses and race dates agreement between the FHBPA and Gulfstream Park. With the current Horsemen's Agreement expiring Dec. 31, 2025, and no reasonable engagement from the track, the impasse presents significant industry hazards.

The group affirmed continuing work on a potential Thoroughbred racing facility alternative as a safeguard against decoupling or further contraction of live racing in South Florida.

Industry leaders agreed to establish regular communication through quarterly meetings, with participation from principal decision-makers of all five organizations.

Chester Bishop, Vice President of FHBPA, said, “It was great to hear unanimous support of the FHBPA in our continuing efforts to reach a Horseman's Agreement before expiration of the current agreement on Dec. 31, 2025.”

OBS President Tom Ventura said, “The Florida horse racing and breeding industry generates a tremendous economic impact to the state while promoting and preserving greenspace. Ocala Breeders' Sales Company, Inc. stands alongside the breeders, owners, and trainers as we collaborate to navigate the landscape and educate Florida's elected officials about the importance of this long-standing signature industry.

“We must remain united to provide a path forward that enables Florida racing and breeding to thrive and remain competitive with other horse-friendly states. A healthy Florida racing and breeding industry is not only important within the state but critical to the ecosystem throughout the country.”

Mike Dini of TBDHBPA said, “We firmly believe in no decoupling and are excited to work together to keep live horse racing strong.”

Aron Wellman, Director of TRI, stated, “The Florida racing and breeding industry is in the midst of a watershed moment, and we are collectively intent on posturing the industry to succeed on all levels,”

FTBOA CEO, Lonny Powell, said, “We appreciate our colleagues from all four organizations for their constructive engagement. This was one of the best meetings of its kind in my 14 years as CEO. Kudos to Hugh Dailey for his professional facilitation.”

The coalition issued the following joint statement: “The group met with a shared commitment to oppose decoupling across all branches of government, working closely with supportive allies in the Florida Senate and Governor's Office. They emphasized unity, collaboration on related challenges, including solutions for South Florida–and reaffirmed their collective support for live Thoroughbred racing in Florida.

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What will racing look like in 10 years? We asked some of racing's best and brightest to give us their predictions. Want to submit an answer? Email suefinley@thetdn.com

At my core, I am an optimist. Fast forward to 2036 and horse racing is thriving. The NTRA remains a unifying voice throughout the industry and all of the major stakeholders are working collaboratively and thoughtfully to continue to make the sport fairer and safer for all involved. While some change is hard, it is also inevitable. The way we have always done things cannot be the way to do everything in the future if we want to remain relevant and not just survive but thrive.

A girl can dream, right?

We have already lost too many tracks and left major markets without ways to expose future fans, horseplayers and industry participants to the sport in meaningful ways. Each track lost is a significant one for the health of the industry as a whole. In 2036, perhaps the ownership of some tracks looks different but there is hope to preserve the ones that we have. Growing up at Suffolk Downs, we always felt like we were on the edge of extinction–we were a hard-knocking blue-collar track. The giants, like Arlington Park and Hollywood, seemed untouchable.  We have learned that no track is immune at this point and all should be treated like the endangered animal that they are.

I have optimism for the foal crop but if and only if we preserve and continue to develop the state-bred breeding programs throughout the country. These programs are the heart of the sport and bolster the agricultural economy in states like Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia. Great horses can come from anywhere and the key to full fields and competitive racing comes from successful state bred programs.

Horse racing needs to do a better job of cultivating additional sources of revenue whether it is coming from fixed-odds or other avenues. There is a generation of folks who are enthusiastic about wagering and are so engaged through the ability to bet through their mobile devices.

The other change I hope to see in 2036? More female announcers on major circuits.

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Holly and David Wilson's Mr. A. P. (American Pharoah), last seen finishing second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, has been sidelined and will not be on the GI Kentucky Derby trail, according to a report in Daily Racing Form.

“He had a little setback,” trainer Vladimir Cerin told DRF's Brad Free. “I'm hoping he'll be ready at the end of March, which makes everything difficult.”

Cerin declined to reveal the ridgling's diagnosis, but told Free the issue had been diagnosed and resolved.

“He needs a little more time,” Cerin said.

The Wilsons claimed Mr. A. P. for $150,000 out of a runner-up effort in his debut at Del Mar in July. He graduated in his third trip to the post Oct. 13 at Santa Anita and was one length short of Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) at the Breeders' Cup Oct. 31.

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Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) and Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) are on target for assignments on Jan. 24 Pegasus Day following stakes wins at Gulfstream Park Saturday.

Skippylongstocking rebounded from a pair of off-the-board efforts to win the GIII Harlan's Holiday Stakes, a prep for the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, and should improve for the effort, according to trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.

“We didn't know if he was fit enough to be back to his best. He showed he was training well. [Saturday] he had to come and do it. Thank God, he did it,” Joseph said Sunday after reporting that 6-year-old came out of his game performance in good order.

Skippylongstocking entered Saturday's Harlan's Holiday off a seventh-place effort in the Aug. 2 GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga and an eighth in the Aug. 22 GII Charles Town Classic, in which he experienced the thumps.

“I think he's just as good, training-wise. I don't think he could have been at his optimum fitness going into the race. He was coming off the layoff,” Joseph said. “There's no reason to say that was at his best. He should move forward in his next race, if everything goes well.”

Woodslane Farm's Wolfie's Dynaghost, who set a North American record while winning Saturday's GIII Fort Lauderdale Stakes, exited his 10th career stakes victory in good order.

“He looks great this morning,” trainer Brian Lynch said. “Everything appears to be how we like it.”

The 7-year-old gelding will now be pointed to the $1-million GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational.

Wolfie's Dynaghost boosted his career earnings to $1.35 million Saturday while making only his second start since joining Lynch's stable. He was coming off a 2 3/4-length win in the Nov. 8 GIII River City Stakes at Churchill Downs.

“He came over in really good order. There were no changes made. We just tried to keep him happy and slide him into our program. He's adjusted well, not that there was a lot of adjustment,” Lynch said. “He's just a classy horse that still has a lot of run on his mind.”

The post Skippylongstocking, Wolfie’s Dynaghost on Track for Pegasus Assignments appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The opening day card at Santa Anita's Classic Meet, traditionally held Dec. 26, has been postponed two days and will now be held next Sunday, Dec. 28. Track officials made the decision to delay the start of the meet in the face of forecasted heavy rains in the area beginning Tuesday and continuing through Friday.

“With the amount of rain being forecast, it's important to make this call as early as possible to give everyone advance notice,” said Santa Anita General Manager Nate Newby. “Everyone looks forward to opening day as it's traditionally one of our biggest days of the year, so it's not a decision we make lightly. But after speaking with our stakeholders, adjusting the racing schedule at this time provides the best opportunity to have a great opening to kick off the season.”

Santa Anita's revised opening week schedule has live racing Sunday and Monday, Dec. 28 and 29, returning Wednesday, Dec. 31 and continuing through Jan. 4.

Entries for opening day were held as scheduled Sunday, with entries for Dec. 27, to be taken Monday, Dec. 22.

This will be the first time since the 2019-2020 winter season that Santa Anita has not opened on Dec. 26.

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Throughout its history, WinStar Farm's stallion program has been anchored by raw speed, with champion Speightstown and fellow sprinting specialist Distorted Humor among some of the first sires to define the farm's identity.

As WinStar wraps up its 25th anniversary this year, the blueprint is much the same. Patch Adams, Mullikin and Straight No Chaser are the latest Grade I-winning sprinters set to join the roster. Two of the recruits carry the direct influence of the aforementioned cornerstone sires and the third is out of a mare by Congrats, another WinStar stalwart who has emerged as an influential broodmare sire.

“Horses that have pure speed is something you can't fake,” said WinStar's Director of Bloodstock Services Liam O'Rourke. “It's a quality that we are always trying to inject into our breeding program and we're really excited to have three very fast horses coming to us in 2026.”

PATCH ADAMS (Into Mischief — Well Humored, by Distorted Humor). Standing for $30,000 in 2026.

Dual Grade I winner Patch Adams is a particularly meaningful addition to the WinStar roster as a third-generation homebred for the farm.

WinStar purchased Patch Adams's third dam Well Dressed (Notebook) at the 2001 Keeneland November Sale. In the quarter-century since, the family has flourished with Grade I winners Well Armed (Tiznow), Cyberknife (Gun Runner) and Played Hard (Into Mischief). Patch Adams is out of the stakes-winning Distorted humor mare Well Humored, a half-sister to GISW American Patriot (War Front) and Parchment Party (Constitution), winner of this year's GIII Belmont Gold Cup Stakes.

“Patch Adams is a horse that has been so rewarding for everyone here at WinStar,” said O'Rourke. “So many people in the WinStar family have had a hand in this horse's success. For him to return home and retire to our stallion barn is really coming full circle.”

O'Rourke said the WinStar team had high hopes for Patch Adams from early on in his career. Trained by Brad Cox and campaigned in partnership with China Horse Club, the son of Into Mischief broke his maiden last November by 10 1/2 lengths, becoming a 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard.'

Patch Adams as a foal at WinStar | courtesy WinStar Farm

“He was a third of a second off Groupie Doll's track record under wraps as a 2-year-old,” recalled O'Rourke. “It was a 'wow' performance. He ran a 98 Beyer Speed Figure, which was the second-highest Beyer of any 2-year-old that year, so it really got us excited that he was going to be that special horse we thought he could be.”

After testing the Kentucky Derby trail early this year, Patch Adams successfully cut back to one turn, defeating future stakes winner Big Truzz (Justify) on Kentucky Derby weekend. That victory launched a summer campaign in Saratoga where he reeled off back-to-back Grade I wins.

“He was dominant in the Woody Stephens, going the fastest seven furlongs by a colt at Saratoga this summer,” said O'Rourke. “The Allen Jerkens was an elite sprinting performance, going in 1:21.61 which was faster than Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in the GI Forego that day and Hope Road (Quality Road) in the GI Ballerina. It wasn't an easy trip for him, so to gut that win out and run as fast as he did that day really solidified him as a special racehorse.”

An injury sustained in training kept Patch Adams from making a trip to the Breeders' Cup before his retirement.

Standing for $30,000 in his debut season, Patch Adams is bred on the same cross as fellow WinStar resident Life Is Good, who will see his first 2-year-olds on the track next year.

O'Rourke reported a strong initial response from breeders, noting that Patch Adams should fit a wide variety of mares.

“He has a lot of the qualities of both Distorted Humor and Into Mischief,” he explained. “He's a great-moving horse with beautiful action to him. He's got strength and balance and he stands over a lot of ground. He's gone over extremely well with some great judges.”

MULLIKIN (Violence — Tulira's Star, by Congrats). Standing for $10,000.

Mullikin-paddock-schooling-07-17-2025-SA6_9166-PRINT-Sarah-Andrew.jpg" alt="" width="1155" height="840" /> Sarah Andrew

Like Patch Adams, Mullikin shares a connection to the WinStar brand. He was named after the farm's longtime CFO Jack Mullikin, who retired in 2023.

Bred by Fred Hertrich III and John Fielding, Mullikin was a $500,000 yearling at the Keeneland September Sale. The son of Violence placed in 12 of his 16 lifetime starts over a three-year career and earned over $1.1 million.

As a 4-year-old last year, Mullikin reeled off four straight wins culminating in the GII John A. Nerud Stakes and GI Forego Stakes.

“The Nerud was an especially important performance,” said O'Rourke. “To go as fast as he did in 1:20.54, he was half a second off Artax's record that has stood for 25 years. He came back in the Forego and put in a dominant performance, winning by 5 and three-quarter lengths. He ran a 105 Beyer Speed Figure over a very quality field that day.”

Mullikin also placed third in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint and was second behind Locked (Gun Runner) in the GII Cigar Mile Handicap. This year at five, the Rudolphe Brisset trainee's highlights included two runner-up performances behind Book'em Danno in the GIII True North Stakes and GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes.

O'Rourke said that Mullikin is a natural fit for the WinStar roster as a son of Violence out of a Congrats mare. Congrats is the broodmare sire of GI Kentucky Oaks victress Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), recently retired Grade I winner Johannes (Nyquist) and this year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}).

“To have the speed that he had coming off that sireline is critical and really appealing to breeders,” said O'Rourke. “Some really excellent horses have come from the Congrats line and I think he's going to continue to be an important influence in pedigrees for years to come.”

STRAIGHT NO CHASER (Speightster — Margarita Friday, by Johannesburg). Standing for $10,000.

Straight No Chaser wins the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint | Horsephotos

Straight No Chaser first came on WinStar's radar as a stallion prospect when he claimed in the 2023 GIII Maryland Sprint Stakes in a record time of 1:08.27, earning a 107 Beyer Speed Figure.

The following year the MyRacehorse-campaigned colt claimed 2024 Champion Male Sprinter honors with back-to-back scores in the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championships Stakes and the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. The Dan Blacker trainee added another win to his resume this year in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint.

“What was really impressive was the way he carried his race with him wherever he went, whether it was Del Mar, Santa Anita, Oaklawn or shipping east for Maryland's biggest day of racing,” said O'Rourke. “Especially as a sprinter, to come back year after year, have those unbelievable performances and run elite speed figures just speaks to his quality as a racehorse.”

The $2.6 million earner is a half-sibling to two other stakes winners and is from the family of Hall of Famer Housebuster.

O'Rourke said that the first time he got a look at Straight No Chaser, he immediately started looking forward to showing the horse off to breeders.

“I was blown away by his physique, his scope and his general build,” he said. “I think he's well-priced and we've had a lot of great feedback from breeders.”

Straight No Chaser follows his grandsire Speightstown, who passed away in 2023, as an Eclipse and Breeders' Cup-winning sprinter to stand at WinStar.

“Speightstown was so important to WinStar's history and he continues to produce new Grade I winners,” said O'Rourke. “The parallels as champion sprinter from that beautiful Gone West sireline make us really excited about Straight No Chaser.”

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At 34-1, Cal-bred Express Kid outran his odds in the Springboard Mile to close out Remington Park's Thoroughbred meet and in the process the colt took home 10 Kentucky Derby points on Saturday evening.

The $2,000 buy out of the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders Association Fall Mixed sale broke his maiden at first-asking at Canterbury in early July and was the runner-up in the Prairie Meadows Freshman Stakes in mid-August. Express Kid shipped to Oklahoma City to contest the Clever Trevor Stakes, but was well-beaten Sept. 28. Switching to the local course's turf for an allowance condition Nov. 6, the Wade Rarick trainee won by a head.

The longshot hustled out of the blocks from the extreme outside post and was able to wrestle the top spot away from Jets Rio (Candy Ride {Arg}). Traveling like a smooth operator under Jose Alvarez up the backstretch, Express Kid separated himself from the rest of the field, but heavy favorite Arctic Beast went on the attack around the far turn. Still, the pacesetter proved he had plenty in the tank and running down the lane his 'catch me if you can' tactics worked to perfection as he became the second longest shot to win the race behind 128-1 Texas Bling (by Too Much Bling).

“He broke so sharp in them, I was like, Wow!” trainer Wade Rarick said. “I don't have a lot of these kind [that win $300,000 races). He is eligible for a lot of things in Arizona (where Rarick stables), but I think we might go a different direction with him now.”

Of note, the owners of the top three finishers in the Springboard Mile received a special complimentary 2026 breeding season to Lane's End stallion Senor Buscador (by Mineshaft), who won the 2020 edition of the race for owner Joey Peacock and trainer Todd Fincher.

The winner's dam is responsible for a yearling filly named Burglarized (Cat Burglar) and a weanling colt by Tap Back. She was bred to Shaaz for 2026. Express Kid's second dam is MSW Stormy West (Gone West).

REMINGTON SPRINGBOARD MILE S., $300,000, Remington, 12-20, 2yo, 1m, 1:38.99, ft.
1–EXPRESS KID, 121, c, 2, by Bodexpress
                1st Dam: Sensationalize, by Street Sense
                2nd Dam: Stormy West, by Gone West
                3rd Dam: Storm Beauty, by Storm Cat
($12,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTCAYR; $2,000 Ylg '24 ARZOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Steve Haahr; B-Richard Barton Enterprises (CA); T-Wade Rarick; J-Jose L. Alvarez. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, $236,902.
2–Arctic Beast, 121, c, 2, Yaupon–Frostie Anne, by Frost Giant. ($120,000 Wlg '23 FTNMIX; $275,000 Ylg '24 SARAUG). O-Paradise Farms Corp., JP Racing Stable, Staudacher, David, Zilla Racing Stables and Rice, Jennifer; B-Rockridge Stud, LLC & Saratoga Glen Farm & Beal's Racing Stable, LL (NY); T-Michael Maker. $60,000.
3–Royalamerican, 121, g, 2, Upstart–Scat for the Cause, by Creative Cause. O/B/T-C. R. Trout (OK). $33,000.
Margins: 6 1/4, 2 1/4, HF. Odds: 34.50, 0.90, 9.50.
Also Ran: Western Man, Way Beyond, Big Apple Patrick, Essential Time, Jets Rio, Time for Music, Supreme Good (Ire), Spice Runner. Scratched: My Dream Zapper.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

A HUGE upset! It was all #12 EXPRESS KID ($71.00) who goes gate-to-wire to easily win the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes at @RemingtonPark and earn 10 points towards the @KentuckyDerby. The son of Bodexpress was ridden by Jose Alvarez and is trained by Wade Rarick. pic.twitter.com/JOpL2ciijg

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 21, 2025

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'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' D'code (Speightstown) will look to stretch out to two turns as he targets the GIII Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Jan. 31, his connections told track media Saturday.

The 2-year-old dazzled in his six-furlong debut Dec. 13, putting up a final time of 1:09.57, the fastest time for the distance in Oaklawn history for a 2-year-old. The 99 Beyer Speed Figure was the second-highest of his generation this year behind only fellow 'Rising Star' Brant's (Gun Runner) 101 at Del Mar in July.

“It was pretty awesome,” said trainer H. Ray Ashford Jr. “We liked the colt all along, but he ran better than we expected. I thought the horse would win, but I didn't think he'd win in that fashion.”

D'code returned to the track Thursday morning for the first time since his win, with Ashford noting that colt was “a handful”. The Southwest is the second race in Oaklawn's series of Kentucky Derby prep races. The first, the Smarty Jones Stakes, comes up Jan. 3.

“I think we're kind of leaning toward the Southwest right now,” Ashford said. “The Smarty Jones is just too quick back. He came back fine. I don't think he ran that hard, but being a 2-year-old I don't want to blow his mind. No need to push because he's a nice horse.”

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Tom Ryan's observation that California graded stakes have been decimated by the graded stakes committee is spot on, but does not delve into the issue deeply nor address solutions. I applaud him speaking out against a system that adheres to a doctrine of the past, which evaluates many criteria while ignoring the fact that all graded stakes (save a select few) will be the domain of slot-enhanced, subsidized racetracks in the near term. The idea that the Breeders' Cup and/or Jockey Club could ignore this trend while sitting idly by points with clarity to why we should have little faith in our 'institutions' as champions of change.

Supporting California graded stakes through purse supplementation, freezing the downgrading of stakes while attempting to create stability, and restoring the prior status of fixture races like the Santa Anita Oaks and others with set criteria is actionable and necessary. The phrase 'too big to fail,' applied to the banking industry and automobile industry, certainly applies to California racing.

I challenge these organizations to prioritize the crisis and formulate a plan of action. Waiving registration fees and 'Win and You're In' won't save racing, but the loss of California racing will be felt in the sales ring and breeding shed in seismic proportions.

The post Letter To The Editor: John Sikura appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Off right at her morning-line odds of 5-1, West Point Thoroughbreds and William Sandbrook's Pillar of Beauty (f, 2, Caracaro–Port Marazion, by Point of Entry) took a gap at the fence at midstretch and outfinished the once-raced Elenique (Leinster) to open her account stylishly at first asking in the opening race Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park.

Bought back on a bid of just $16,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale, Pillar of Beauty was entered for, but scratched from the OBS March Sale and was re-routed for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale about two months later. She was put through an energetic gallop at Timonium and impressed enough bidders to attract a hammer price of $200,000.

Off to an alert beginning from gate two, the bay filly led for a stride or two from between rivals very early on before coming back to Junior Alvarado and finding the box seat from third.

Just short of running room when the real running was about to begin approaching the eighth pole, Pillar of Beauty was angled down to the inside and was able to sustain her momentum, doing her best work through the line to graduate comfortably when all was said and done.

From the female family of MGSW & MGISP Pomeroys Pistol, the dam of sire Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile), Pillar of Beauty has a yearling full-brother and his dam is due to Crestwood's Stage Raider for 2026.

1st-Gulfstream, $42,300, Msw, 12-20, 2yo, f, 5fT, :55.10, fm, 1 1/4 lengths.
PILLAR OF BEAUTY (f, 2, Caracaro–Port Marazion, by Point of Entry) jumped just north of her 5-1 morning line Sales history: $16,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $200,000 2yo '25 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $24,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-West Point Thoroughbreds & William Sandbrook; B-Pope McLean, Marc McLean & Pope McLean Jr (KY); T-William I Mott.

PILLAR OF BEAUTY ($12.60) squeezes through the rail under @JuniorandKellyA to win on debut at @GulfstreamPark for trainer Bill Mott and owners @westpointtbred and William Sandbrook. Congratulations to the connections with this 2YO filly by Caracaro who stands at @CrestwoodKY. pic.twitter.com/Smn3J0qpoE

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 20, 2025

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Maiden special weight, allowance, maiden optional claiming, and open stakes races at Gulfstream Park will get a Florida-bred purse boost beginning Jan. 1, according to a Friday afternoon release from the Hallandale oval. Gulfstream will increase the purses by using funds from the Florida-Bred Incentive Fund (FBIF).

The FBIF for all maiden special weight and allowance races will increase from $5,000 to $10,000, maiden optional claimers will be upped from $43,000 to $50,000, and all open stakes purses of $150,000 or less will get an increase of $25,000. 1/ST Racing President Stephen Screnci said additional FBIF money will be used in the months ahead.

“The FBIF funds have allowed Gulfstream Park to continue offering Florida-bred restricted races through the Championship Meet,” said Screnci. “For the last Championship Meet we paid out approximately $1.3 million.”

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It's a piece of legislation not introduced yet, but that didn't stop two industry leaders from discussing at last week's racing symposium in Arizona a proposed immigration change that could alter the way the sport's workforce seeks employment here legally.

At the symposium, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) CEO Lisa Lazarus reportedly discussed a plan to expand P Visas to include equine workers with a built-in funding mechanism for the organization, according to BloodHorse.

Currently, the backstretch workforce falls under the umbrella of the Fair Labor Standards Act, limiting them to H-2B visas only.

The H-2B visa program–which affords non-agriculture seasonal immigrant workers jobs in such industries as hospitality or with animals–has its limitations. It comes with a restrictive annual quota, and is typically only granted for a year, but it can be extended for up to three years.

The P Visa is broken into four categories geared toward individuals with specialized skills.

The P-1A is for athletes and sports teams (with an initial stay of up to five years). The P-1B is for skilled entertainers who form part of an entertainment troop. The P-2 is an artist and professional entertainer exchange program. The P-3 is for artists whose work is considered culturally unique. The last three categories come with an initial stay of a maximum one year.

TDN obtained a draft version of a piece of legislation that has been shared among industry leaders, its structure mirroring what morsels of information were shared last week. The important caveat is that this is not the final version of the bill to be introduced–if indeed it eventually is.

The draft P Visa legislation is geared toward equine workers who either care, feed, groom or train horses involved in equine sporting competitions, or who are involved in the breeding of horses that compete. The visa fee, as per this draft, is $1,500.

For those equine workers performing tasks that fall under HISA's auspices, 100% of these monies will go into a Federal Trade Commission (FTC)-managed fund to be used “for the awarding of grants to States in which the State racing commission elects to remit fees pursuant to section 1203(f)(2) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act.”

As to the monies collected for equine workers not covered under HISA, 50% would be used under the Department of Veterans Affairs Adaptive Sports Grant Program for disabled veterans and disabled members of the armed forces. The other 50% of the fees collected would go into an “Equine Aftercare Fund” for equine aftercare programs.

As drafted, this visa pathway wouldn't be available to the immigrant backstretch workforce already here.

A spokesperson for Kentucky representative Andy Barr–who National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) president Tom Rooney reportedly said provided the idea behind the legislation–described its progress as being in its formative stages.

“While we don't have legislation that Congressman Barr is endorsing or introducing yet, we are engaging with industry stakeholders, Congressional leadership, and the Administration to find the right path forward. President Trump and Congressman Barr have delivered great victories for the industry–including the enactment of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and the 100% bonus depreciation provision of the Big Beautiful Bill that led to record yearling sales at Keeneland this year,” wrote Barr's communications director, Alex Bellizzi.

Neither the NTRA nor HISA shared more than what was detailed last week, though spokespersons for both expressed support for a P Visa expansion proposal.

“We know the industry needs more visas in general and needs more workers, so anything that does that we're in support of,” said NTRA communications director Thomas Meis.

“We are excited for the potential of the P Visa expansion. We have no further comment beyond what Lisa and Tom shared at Symposium. Happy to have a conversation when legislation is introduced,” wrote a HISA spokesperson.

Coady

If and when this legislation is introduced, it will surely face stiff political headwinds. It was all the way back in 1986 that major immigration reform was passed on Capitol Hill.

Added to that, Barr faces a contentious battle for the Kentucky senate seat soon to be vacated by Mitch McConnell. One of his rivals is trainer Dale Romans, who has made very clear that immigration reform is a backbone of his campaign.

Given how Washington continues to be riven by political dysfunction, is this the right time to be pushing important immigration reform for the industry?

“I believe that the timing might be ideal for an immigration program that has all of the requirements for both sides of the aisle,” said California Horse Racing Board vice chairman Oscar Gonzales, pointing to a climate characterized by an immigration crackdown that has targeted communities heavily reliant on immigrant labor, as well as the ongoing affordability problem.

“If the equine community can prove that a segment of the worker population can get some form of work permits–in this case the P Visas–then perhaps that could be a model for other industries,” Gonzales added.

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Vincent “Jimbo” Bracciale, Jr., winning rider of 3,545 races–the bulk of them in Maryland, passed away Dec. 15, according to a release from the Maryland Jockey Club, which will hold a moment of silence and a video tribute after the first race Saturday. Bracciale was 72.

Among Bracciale's many career highlights was piloting Ruffian to victory in the 1974 GI Spinaway Stakes and GIII Astoria Stakes.

“I've ridden some good horses, but there was nothing to compare to her,” said Bracciale said in a 1988 interview.

He also rode Broad Brush to a third-place finish in the 1986 GI Kentucky Derby after the pair captured that year's GI Wood Memorial; won the 1986 Queen's Plate on Golden Choice; and, among others, won the 1976 GI Amory L. Haskell Handicap aboard Hatchet Man over Forego during the time he was a contract rider for Greentree Stable.

Bracciale retired from riding in 1990 and trained a small stable between 1992 and 2024. From 318 starts as a trainer, he won 31 races.

Born in West Virginia and the son of a jockey, Bracciale is survived by his wife of 53 years, Terri, as well as five daughters and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A private service and burial will be held this week, with a public memorial mass to be held Jan. 8 at St. Louis Roman Catholic Church in Clarksville, Md.

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California racing just got dealt another brutal blow. In a year when this sport should be doing everything possible to stabilize a fragile circuit, the loss of Grade I status for the Frank E. Kilroe Mile and multiple downgrades at Santa Anita and Del Mar is very concerning.

When you strip premier events in the middle of a wagering and field-size crisis, you're not “protecting the integrity of the pattern,” you're accelerating the decline of one of the game's few remaining flagship jurisdictions. This outcome might look neat on a spreadsheet, but on the ground in California it means fewer top-class opportunities, weaker cards, and less incentive for owners to keep investing in this circuit.

Hard to talk about “national balance” when Kentucky adds a Grade I turf sprint and fresh upgrades at Churchill and Kentucky Downs, while California absorbs a net loss in graded quality. At a time when the industry says it wants West Coast stability, this grading slate feels like the exact opposite of leadership.

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The Goodman Family has signed on as the presenting sponsor of the Thoroughbred Charities of America's upcoming 36th Annual Stallion Season Auction, to be held Wednesday, Jan. 7–Sunday, Jan. 11. The Goodman Family owns the historic Mt. Brilliant Farm in Lexington, Ky.

“We are deeply appreciative of the Goodman Family's support,” said Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA. “The Stallion Season Auction plays a critical role in our ability to provide grants to deserving organizations nationwide. The Goodman Family's continued involvement reflects their meaningful dedication to our mission of supporting Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them.”

The TCA Stallion Season Auction is the organization's largest annual fundraiser and opens with an online auction beginning at 9 a.m. on Jan. 7 and continues through 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9. The online auction will offer over 200 seasons to stallions standing in 10 states and Canada.

The majority of the seasons will sell during the online auction, however select seasons including Constitution, Patch Adams, Locked, and Liam's Map will be sold in the Live Auction and Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Harper Hall in Lexington, Ky.

Tickets are available here.

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TAPPAN STREET, last seen on the track winning the GI Curlin Florida Derby in March, missed quite an eventful summer. Take for instance the horse he defeated that day in Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who never lost again this season and looks to be a strong candidate for Horse of the Year. Had a condylar fracture in his right front leg not knocked him off the Road to the Kentucky Derby, perhaps Tappan Street would have had more to say in the big 3-year-old races this season. As it stands, the classy son of super-sire Into Mischief handled his recovery and subsequent return to training like he'd handled everything before it: like a pro.

Returning to the races in a cushy spot for trainer Brad Cox and picking up Lasix to boot, the 1-9 favorite broke in a line and took back just off front-running long shot Steppe (Sky Mesa) who went through to lead from the rail. Traveling nicely under Irad Ortiz Jr. with slack in the reins, Tappan Street tracked of that rival's hip on the long run up the backstretch in this one-turn mile, sitting second and making up just a touch of ground past the half-mile pole in :46.55.

To his credit, Steppe was ready to engage the heavy favorite and battled back as Tappan Street came alongside with less than a quarter mile to run. By the time jockey Miguel Vaszquez lost his stick aboard Steppe midway to the line, the favorite has pushed past and the race was over with Tappan Street working to earn the one-length win. Steppe, who crossed the line second, was transported off the track by equine ambulance with an undisclosed issue.

“It's good to get that one behind us,” said Elliott Walden, WinStar Farm's President/CEO and Racing Manager. “It's really good to get him back. He's a big, strong horse and he needed it. It worked out well. We'll get him back to the top level. We'll look at the Pegasus and see how he comes out. The timing of this was to take a look at that and see what it looks like.”

“Good effort, workmanlike, but kind of what we expected based on what we saw of him in his first three runs,” added Cox. “It's not as if he always gallops up to the top of the lane and wins under a hammerlock or anything. He's a good horse, and I thought it was a good comeback race. It's a two-other-than–that's what he's eligible for–and off that long layoff, I felt like it was the right move for him at this stage in his career. Happy with his performance.”

Out of GII Gazelle Stakes third Virginia Key, Tappan Street was a $1,000,000 yearling for CHC, Siena Farm and Maverick Racing at the Saratoga Sale in 2023. He is a half-brother to SP Distorted d'Oro who sold Spendthrift's way for $2,100,000 at FTKNOV just last month. Virginia Key herself is a half-sister to GSW/MGISP Pyrenees (Into Mischief) and to GISW Grace Adler (Curlin), another seven-figure sales horse when sold for $2,000,000 to Narvick International at FTKNOV in 2022. There's plenty of class down through the third dam as well with GI Whitney Stakes winner Bullsbay (Tiznow) showing up.

Virginia Key sadly lost her $1,400,000 KEESEP 2-year-old Curlin colt this year but does have a yearling Quality Road filly in the pipeline. She failed to take on a Cody's Wish cover for this season but visited Gun Runner for 2026.

7th-Gulfstream, $45,000, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 12-19, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:36.22, ft, 1 length.
TAPPAN STREET (c, 3, Into Mischief–Virginia Key {GSP}, by Distorted Humor) Sales History: $1,000,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-3-1-0, $670,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc., Cold Press Racing and Qatar Racing; B-Blue Heaven Farm (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

TAPPAN STREET returns a winner as he wins the 7th race today at Gulfstream Park, ridden by @iradortiz do trainer @bradcoxracing and @WinStarFarm

El ganador del Florida Derby 2025, TAPPAN STREET, retornó victorioso al ganar en reaparecida la 7ma del Viernes en Gulfstream Park,… pic.twitter.com/dcIc39fS2I

— Agentes305 (@agentes305) December 19, 2025

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The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association presented its listing of U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes Races for calendar year 2026, the results of its annual grading session conducted Dec. 17 and 18.

The committee reviewed 942 U.S. stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000, and assigned Graded status to 410 of them, five fewer than were graded in 2025, and Listed status to 211 races.

Eleven Graded races were upgraded; one new Grade I and 10 new Grade II races were named; four new Grade III races were identified. Nine new Listed races and one new Listed-Restricted race were upgraded from non-Listed Black Type (NLBT) status.

Thirteen Graded races were downgraded; two Grade I, five Grade II and six Grade III races were demoted. Six Listed races were downgraded to NLBT status.

One race was upgraded from Grade II to Grade I status for 2026: the Ladies Turf Sprint S. at Kentucky Downs.

Additionally, two races were downgraded from Grade I to Grade II status for 2026: the Franklin-Simpson S. at Kentucky Downs and Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. at Santa Anita Park.

Ten races were upgraded to Grade II status for 2026: the Shawnee S. and Unbridled Sidney S. at Churchill Downs; Green Flash H. at Del Mar; Bryan Station S., Doubledogdare S., and Giant's Causeway S. at Keeneland; Ladies Turf S. and Nashville Derby Invitational S. at Kentucky Downs; Molly Pitcher S. at Monmouth Park; and Caress S. at Saratoga.

For a complete listing of all graded and listed stakes for the 2025 season, click here.

RACES UPGRADED FOR 2025:
GRADE II TO GRADE I
Ladies Turf Sprint S. at Kentucky Downs

GRADE III TO GRADE II
Shawnee S. at Churchill Downs
Unbridled Sidney S. at Churchill Downs
Green Flash H. at Del Mar
Bryan Station S. at Keeneland
Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland
Giant's Causeway S. at Keeneland
Ladies Turf S. at Kentucky Downs
Nashville Derby Invitational S. at Kentucky Downs
Molly Pitcher S. at Monmouth Park
Caress S. at Saratoga

LISTED TO GRADE III
Hanshin S. at Churchill Downs
Maxfield S. at Churchill Downs
Indian Summer S. at Keeneland
Limestone S. at Keeneland

NEW LISTED RACES
Autumn Days S. at Aqueduct
Anchorage Overnight S. at Churchill Downs
Fern Creek S. at Churchill Downs
Leslie's Lady Overnight S. at Churchill Downs
Jeff Hall Memorial Sprint S. at Ellis Park
KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint S. at Ellis Park
Myrtlewood S. at Keeneland
Untapable S. at Kentucky Downs
Holiday Inaugural S. at Turfway Park

Note: One race was upgraded to Listed-Restricted status for 2026, Tranquility Lake S. at Del Mar.

RACES DOWNGRADED FOR 2025:
GRADE I TO GRADE II
Franklin-Simpson S. at Kentucky Downs
Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. at Santa Anita Park

GRADE II TO GRADE III
Fort Marcy S. at Belmont at Aqueduct
Sands Point S. at Belmont at Aqueduct
Gulfstream Park Mile S. at Gulfstream Park
Joe Hernandez S. at Santa Anita Park
Santa Maria S. at Santa Anita Park

GRADE III TO LISTED
Red Carpet S. at Del Mar
Pucker Up S. at Ellis Park
Greenwood Cup S. at Parx Racing
Honeymoon S. at Santa Anita Park
Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita Park
Palos Verdes S. at Santa Anita Park

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The Jockey Club of America has released the list of mares in the 2026 Mare Incentive Program, which waives registration fees for certain 2027 foals of mares that meet the criteria, the organization said on Friday.

The list of mares in the 2025 pilot program was searched more than 3,100 times and 228 mares were bred as part of the program.

“We were pleased to see how many searches were performed and how many mares were brought back into production,” said James L. Gagliano, president and COO, The Jockey Club. “The feedback has been extremely positive and we look forward to seeing how many more mares are brought back next year.”

“This is such a fantastic tool for breeders,” said David O'Farrell, owner and manager of Ocala Stud. “We saw a few very nice mares that were part of the program this year, and we hope to see more from the 2026 list.”

The criteria are for mares divided into two age groups. The first are for mares from 6 to 9 years old as of January 1, 2026:

• A registered Thoroughbred;
• Name registered with The Jockey Club;
• No race starts in the past two years (2024 and 2025);
• Not reported as the dam of a foal in the past two years;
• Not reported as covered by a stallion in the past two years;
• Not exported to a foreign country from the USA, Canada, or Puerto Rico with the export as the last movement of record;
• Not reported dead.

The second are for mares from 10 to 19 years old as of January 1, 2026. These mares must meet the criteria above and must have produced a registered foal in 2022 and/or 2023.

The 2026 list of mares meeting the criteria comprises 22,243 mares. In 2025, there were 23,090 mares.

The report of Mare Incentive Program mares is available to anyone with an IR account and is filterable by 12 data elements, including sire, dam sire, age, money earned, and class of race achieved. Users can also search by mare name. The list includes all mares that meet the criteria for their age group.

To learn more about the Mare Incentive Program, visit www.registry.jockeyclub.com.

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WatchandWager.com has renewed agreements with Monarch Content Management Group and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to accept wagers on their racetracks in 2026, according to a press release from the betting outfit on Thursday.

The renewals with Monarch allow WatchandWager players to place bets at 19 racetracks, including Gulfstream and Santa Anita, while the NYRA deal gives those horseplayers access to 17 racetracks, which includes Saratoga.

WatchandWager has obtained renewals of all of its state-by-state ADW licenses for 2026. Among those individual licenses are California, Colorado, Kentucky, New York and Washington. They also received a renewal of its multi-jurisdictional wagering license from the North Dakota Racing Commission for 2026.

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The Keeneland Library once again has fielded an ambitious and educationally-minded schedule to start 2026 which includes tours, the Starting Gate Storytime program and its Library Lecture Series, the repository said in a press release on Thursday.

The library continues to offer free year-round exhibit tours and a host of other programs geared towards all facets of the Thoroughbred industry's past and present.

The popular lecture series includes authors who conducted research at the facility. Tickets are now available for these winter events:

• 21: Gary O'Dell, Reinventing the American Thoroughbred;
• 18: Curtis Stock, The Turcottes: The Remarkable Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty;
• 18: Steve Haskin, Tales from the Triple Crown.

Go to their website, www.Keeneland.com/library, for more information.

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