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Breeders' Cup berths are on the line in a pair of top-tier races Jan. 4 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in South Africa when the Cape Town track stages the King's Plate (G1) and the Paddock Stakes (G1).

Trainer Charlie Appleby saddles a strong pair, headed by Ottoman Fleet, in the Zabeel Mile (G2T) while last year's Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) hero Tuz looks to defend his title in the Dubawi Stakes (G3) Jan. 3 at Meydan Racecourse.

Grade 3 winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) alum Cutting Humor was represented by his first winner Jan. 2 when 3-year-old filly Basile took the opening race at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The New York Racing Association has reached a settlement with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and has dropped out of a federal lawsuit over how the group that oversees the sport's safety and anti-doping efforts bills tracks.

In search of his first Oaklawn Park victory, trainer Chris Davis starts a promising and lightly raced colt named Mo Quality in the Jan. 4 $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes.

The National Turf Writers and Broadcasters are pleased to announce the organization will support a record five internships in 2025 to Agentes 305, BloodHorse, Paulick Report, Daily Racing Form, and ESPN Louisville.

Godolphin, which campaigned 22 North American graded stakes winners, including two Breeders’ Cup winners, set a single-season record in earnings as the leading owner for the fourth consecutive year.

Starting in January and through the month of December, Flavien Prat was focused on putting together a championship year and on opening day at Santa Anita Park, he put an exclamation point on what turned out to be an outstanding record-setting 2024.

Ten of the most thrilling, memorable, and momentous events from Thoroughbred racing in North America last year have been nominated for the 2024 FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year, a distinction determined by fan voting.

Last year, Russell earned 113 victories at Laurel and Pimlico, 16 more than runner-up Jamie Ness. She also captured the Timonium training title with eight wins. Kieron Magee placed third with 71 combined scores at Laurel and Pimlico.

Last year's Blue Diamond (G1) winner Hayasugi has died due to complications following foot surgery.

In his first year since being reinstated by Churchill Downs, trainer Bob Baffert has entered three fillies in the Jan. 5 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park, the first prep race of the year for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1) in Southern California.

In this monthly BH interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities.

Races like the Jerome Stakes are considered preps for the Kentucky Derby (G1). But they are actually more of a test to see if a newly turned 3-year-old has what it takes to be a successful runner in longer and richer races in the new year.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) reached a settlement of their dispute regarding HISA's fee assessment methodology, according to a Thursday press release from NYRA.

As a result of the settlement, NYRA will withdraw from the litigation pending in the Western District of Kentucky and HISA will withdraw the enforcement action initiated against NYRA on Nov. 13, 2024.

“HISA's ongoing work and overall mission are critically important to the future of thoroughbred horse racing,” said NYRA President & CEO David O'Rourke. “NYRA is pleased to have reached this agreement, which resolves a narrow financial dispute and allows both parties to move forward in the best interests of the sport.”

“From the start, NYRA has been an excellent partner to HISA and it is regretful that this financial issue caused a momentary hiccup in the relationship,” said HISA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lazarus. “However, we are delighted to move forward and to resume our strong partnership grounded in the principles of horse welfare and sporting integrity.”

In a story reported in the TDN Dec. 5, Churchill Downs and NYRA had joined to sue HISA and the Federal Trade Commission in federal court, alleging that both the fee impositions and the attempted enforcement actions for non-payment are “illegal.” Prior to that, the two tracks were scheduled to appear at separate enforcement hearings in front of HISA's board to address disputes over their non-payment of assessment fees that are based partially on purses.

 

The post NYRA And HISA Reach Settlement Agreement Over Fee Assessment Methods 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's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 12/23/2024
Licensee: Guillermo Preciado, 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 Dexamethasone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Gordy's Boy, who finished third at Pleasanton on 11/1/24.

Date: 12/23/2024
Licensee: Eric Reed, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 24, 2024; 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Lost Bikini, who won at Mahoning Valley on 4/13/24.

Date: 12/20/2024
Licensee: Matt Hebert, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 21, 2024; 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Ranch Badge, who won at Remington Park on 9/5/24.

Date: 12/20/2024
Licensee: Robert Medina, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 21, 2024; 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Forge in Fire, who won at Turfway Park on 2/21/24.

Date: 12/19/2024
Licensee: Fernando Bahena, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 20, 2024; 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Paynt by Letters, who won at Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing on 9/10/24.

Date: 12/19/2024
Licensee: Jonathan Thomas, 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 by internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Mouffy, who won the Perfect Sting Stakes at Aqueduct on 7/4/24.

Pending ADMC Violations
01/02/2025, Robert Gherardi, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Caffeine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Little Pinch, who finished second at Albuquerque on 10/18/24.

01/02/2025, Darlene Green, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Caffeine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Lookin at Justice, who finished sixth at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 10/10/24.

12/26/2024, Martin Valdez-Cabral Jr., trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Sapello Sweetee, who won at Albuquerque on 10/19/24.

12/23/2024, Eric Ramaekers, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Hurts So Good, who won at Zia Park on 11/19/24.

12/23/2024, Gary Jackson, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Ipratroprium–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Mywifeknowsitall, who won at Gulfstream Park on 10/13/24.

12/20/2024, Juan Munoz Cano, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Clenbuterol–a banned substance permitted in only limited circumstances–in a sample taken from La Bukana, who finished eighth at Churchill Downs on 10/31/24.

12/19/2024, Karen Jacks, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Halmstad on 11/12/24.

The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, Dec. 19-Jan. 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

In just her fifth full year of training, Brittany Russell topped the annual standings in Maryland for the second consecutive season, and jockey Jaime Rodriguez also repeated as the state's leading rider, the Maryland Jockey Club said in a release on Tursday.

In 2023, Russell ended Claudio Gonazlez's six-year reign atop the leaderboard by notching 118 victories at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, finishing five ahead of runner-up Jamie Ness.

Last year, Russell earned 113 victories at Laurel and Pimlico, 16 more than runner-up Ness.

Nationwide, she registered 157 wins, 104 seconds, and 89 thirds from 655 starters for earnings of $7,672,690. Russell ranked eighth in the country in wins and 19th in money won.

Russell's stable star was undoubtedly Post Time. Owned by Mrs. Ellen Charles's Hillwood Stable, the 4-year-old won Laurel's GIII General George Stakes, Aqueduct's GII Carter Stakes, and Laurel's Polynesian Stakes. The Frosted colt was never off the board over nine starts in 2024, including runner-up efforts in Saratoga's GI Metropolitan Handicap and Del Mar's GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, and a third-place performance in Saratoga's GI Whitney Stakes.

Jaime Rodriguez captured the leading jockey title with 177 victories at Laurel and Pimlico. The top rider won the Laurel Park winter meet by a 50-to-28 margin over Jeiron Barbosa, defeated Torrealba by a 45-to-34 mark in the summer standings, and outlasted Torrealba to take the fall title 52 to 46. Rodriguez led the Preakness meet at Pimlico by collecting 12 wins.

The post Russell Repeats As Maryland’s Leading Trainer While Rodriguez Named Top Rider Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Ten events from Thoroughbred racing in North America last year were nominated for the 2024 FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year, a distinction determined by fan voting and recognized at the annual Eclipse Awards, according to a press release from the NTRA on Thursday morning.

Voting is now open on the NTRA website and via X, where every retweet or use of the official hashtag for the moments as presented on the @NTRA account will be counted as one vote.

The FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year will be recognized during the 54th annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards Presented by John Deere, Keeneland, and The Jockey Club at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida on Jan. 23.

Fans are permitted to vote for multiple moments, but there is a limit of one vote per moment for each X account. Subsequent votes from an account will be disqualified and the casting of ballots must be received by Jan. 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

The eligible 2024 moments were selected to demonstrate the various equine and human achievements, as well as human emotions, exhibited throughout the year. The story of Cody's Wish was the recipient last year.

Click here to view the entries and to vote.

The post Voting Opens For FanDuel-NTRA Moment Of The Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Races like the Jerome Stakes are considered preps for the Kentucky Derby (G1). But they are actually more of a test to see if a newly turned 3-year-old has what it takes to be a successful runner in longer and richer races in the new year.

Equine fatalities rose for the second consecutive year at California racetracks and training centers in 2024, with disease and accidents contributing to the increase.