Feed aggregator

Winchell Thoroughbreds' son of Into Mischief got his fifth win from nine starts in the April 8 Commonwealth Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. The son of Into Mischief was purchased for $1.35 million at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Positano Sunset broke through at the top of the stretch and weathered contact to pull away late April 8 in the $623,338 Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.

For the second day in a row, a filly by a top sprinter from the consignment of Tom McCrocklin flaunted her ability over the Ocala Breeders' Sales track. Hip 363, a filly by Mitole, breezed a quarter in :20 2/5.

Maiden Watch: Week of March 31-April 6

Less than 24 hours after La Cara won the delayed Ashland Stakes (G1), Casse was back in the Keeneland winner's circle April 8 after Nitrogen topped a Casse-trained exacta in the $500,000 Appalachian Stakes (G2T).

The Dubai World Cup's reach extended far beyond Meydan Racecourse, captivating a massive global audience via TV, digital platforms, and in-flight entertainment. Broadcast across 37 channels in 170 countries.

Future Is Now, last seen winning the 2024 Franklin Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland in October, returns April 13 as one of the favorites in the $350,000 Giant's Causeway Stakes (G3T). The 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint drew a field of 10 fillies and mares.

The six categories selected by the Thoroughbred nominating committee for the 2025 Thoroughbred ballot are builder, female horse, jockey, male horse, trainer, and veteran—person or horse.

Junko Kondo's Admire Daytona and Jim and Claire Limited's Heart of Honor, the respective top two finishers in the UAE Derby (G2), headline five 3-year-olds made eligible to compete in the 2025 Triple Crown with a late nomination fee.

Jockey Luis Saez, unseated in the second race April 8 at Keeneland after his mount, Fateful Lightning, bumped with another horse in midstretch, escaped serious injury and could possibly ride as early as April 9, according to agent Kiaran McLaughlin.

Fresh off a pair of wins to launch her sophomore campaign, D J Stable's Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) closed from off the pace to annex Tuesday's GII Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland.

Content to survey a moderate opening pace of :23.31 and :47.45 set by longshot Fast Market (Volatile) from near midpack, the 6-5 choice began to mount her challenge while swinging to the outside turning for home. Gaining control midstretch, the favorite drifted out slightly, however, drew clear and was able to maintain a comfortable advantage late, finishing 2 1/4 lengths ahead of fellow Mark Casse trainee Vixen (Vekoma). Fionn (Twirling Candy) rounded up the Trifecta.

“It was very easy to get her in full stride down the lane,” said winning rider Jose Ortiz. “When I asked her to go, I kept her on the outside and then little by little she got into that stride.”

Irad Ortiz Jr., who was accompanying 2-1 second choice Vixen, indicated his filly ran a winning race in defeat.

“It was a beautiful trip,” he said. “I wish I could have moved earlier but was boxed in for a little bit. After that I got through really clear, and she was running down the lane, so I'm happy with her.”

Last season, Nitrogen finished second in her career debut at Woodbine in August before finishing a close-up third behind And One More Time Omaha Beach and Vixen in that oval's GI Natalma Stakes Sept. 14. The homebred rounded out her juvenile campaign with a third behind European invader Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar Nov. 1. Victorious in the Gulfstream's Ginger Brew in January, she added a score in the Mar. 8 GIII Florida Oaks at Tampa last time out.

“She's really good,” affirmed Casse following Tuesday's win. “I just kind of come along for the ride. She's an amazing filly. I think she's getting better and better, so we're going to keep our fingers crossed and hope she stays healthy. She's got a bright, bright future.”

As for what's next for the developing filly, he added, “The [GII] Edgewood [at Churchill Downs on May 2) is next. As long as everything's good, we'll go to the Edgewood and try to win that one.”

 

Pedigree Notes:
Tuesday's Appalachian victory gives Darley's versatile sire Medaglia d'Oro his 206th group/graded win. The winner's dam SP Tiffany Case–in foal to Violence–was purchased by D. J. Stable for $320,000 at Keeneland November in 2019. Ultimately named Love to Shop, the resulting filly brought $200,000 at Keeneland September and went on to win at the stakes level and also place in graded company for Repole Stable and St. Elias. Barren in 2023, Tiffany Case produced a Gun Runner filly in 2024 and was not bred back for 2025.

 

Tuesday, Keeneland
APPALACHIAN S. PRESENTED BY JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION-GII, $500,000, Keeneland, 4-8, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:37.00, gd.
1–NITROGEN, 118, f, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Tiffany Case (SP), by Uncle Mo
2nd Dam: Biblical Point, by Point Given
3rd Dam: Bibical Sense, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
O-D. J. Stable LLC; B-D. J. Stable, LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse;
J-Jose L. Ortiz. $302,250. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 6-3-1-2,
$617,804. *1/2 to Love to Shop (Violence), SW & MGSP,
$240,778. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
 Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free
 Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Vixen, 118, f, 3, Vekoma–Top Mission, by Noble Mission
(GB). ($57,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $22,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP;
$200,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-D. J. Stable LLC and Eclipse
Thoroughbred Partners; B-Jason Edward Howard (KY);
T-Mark E. Casse. $97,500.
3–Fionn, 118, f, 3, Twirling Candy–Gaelic Gold, by Giant's
Causeway. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($75,000 Ylg '23
KEESEP). O-George Messina and Michael Lee; B-Dixiana
Farms LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $48,750.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 1.20, 2.16, 8.20.
Also Ran: Foxtastic, Totally Justified, Fast Market, Table Flirt. Scratched: Good Temper, Liam in the Dust, Lush Lips (GB).

Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs.

 

#1 NITROGEN ($4.40) rallied down the center of the track to win the $500,000 Appalachian Stakes (G2) at @keenelandracing and win her third straight race. The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro (@DarleyAmerica) was ridden by @jose93_ortiz and is trained by @markecasse. pic.twitter.com/G9xaYLGAvp

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 8, 2025

The post Medaglia d’Oro’s Nitrogen Remains Unbeaten in 2025 in Keeneland’s Appalachian appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Jockey Luis Saez, unseated in the second race April 8 at Keeneland after his mount bumped with another horse in midstretch, was in stable condition Tuesday afternoon and under evaluation by University of Kentucky HealthCare Medical Services.

Junko Kondo's Admire Daytona and Jim and Claire Limited's Heart of Honor, the respective top two finishers in the UAE Derby (G2), headline five 3-year-olds made eligible to compete in the 2025 Triple Crown with a late nomination fee.

The Art of Racing, a nationwide art competition celebrating the unique elements of the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Thoroughbred horse racing, culminated in the announcement of Steve Luhn as the competition's winner.

Favored at 2-1 to cross the wire first is Praetor, who enters the Lexington Stakes (G3) with a pair of wins going a mile over the dirt, including a 7 1/2-length romp in an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park. 

Prominent figures from the bloodstock sales world have said they are assessing the economic implications of the sweeping range of controversial trade tariffs being introduced by the United States.

It was a frigid morning at Churchill Downs April 8, but Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Coal Battle heated up his Kentucky Derby (G1) preparations by returning to the work tab for the first time since finishing third in the March 29 Arkansas Derby (G1).

Overcoming a quality field that included two other top-10 sophomores, Journalism impressed with how he navigated trouble in the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Derby (G1) prep. 

Patrick Reed previews the field for the April 11 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.

BH Interview with Roderick Wachman