Blood-Horse

Months of frustration for both horse and rider came to a satisfying end in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) July 18 at Del Mar, when the reunion of Journalism and an inspired Umberto Rispoli resulted in a three-quarter-length victory.

George Weaver was faced with a choice July 18 with his Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) winner Cy Fair: run in the July 18 Coronation Cup Stakes (G3T) or the July 19 Quick Call Stakes (G3T).

Pursuing front-running Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Napoleon Solo on the second turn of the $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1) July 18 at Monmouth Park, Baby Vino outslugs that rival over the final three-eighths of the race to prevail by a half-length.

Mother Nature was not kind to Bob Baffert. But the weather did not faze his splendid mare Splendora.

Woodbine will honor retired dual Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield July 19, Woodbine Oaks day. A special on-track presentation will take place following Sunday's second race.

Trainer Bob Baffert said Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and 2025 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Nysos is leaving Kentucky July 18 and heading to California to run in the Aug. 22 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.

Acting on the advice of Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission veterinarians and stewards, Delaware Park cancels the remainder of its July 18 racing card following the fourth race because of heat.

Trainer Chad Brown continues his dominance of the Diana Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course, winning the prestigious turf stakes with Kathynmarissa—a record-extending 11th victory in the race for her trainer.

The Bill Mott-trained Knightsbridge answered the two-turn question with a dominant victory in the July 18 Monmouth Cup (G3) at Monmouth Park. The Godolphin homebred cruised over the previously undefeated Money Game, with Skippylongstocking third.

Johanna Walsh proved an able deputy for Joseph O'Brien by landing the Irish Oaks (G1) July 18 at the Curragh. O'Brien was forced to scratch Epsom Oaks (G1) winner and favorite Thundering On because she was reportedly off her feed.

Proletariat becomes the first stakes winner for second-crop sire Raging Bull in notching a front-running triumph in the $153,000 Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar on the track's opening day of its summer meet, July 17.

Claiborne Farm's prominent and internationally successful sire War Front, a son of Danzig, sired 121 black-type winners worldwide, including 26 grade/group 1 winners. His progeny earned more than $113 million.

Move over, Bruce Springsteen. New Jersey has a new rock star. And he has four legs!

Woodbine announces a new partnership with Citytv, Sportsnet, and CBC that will bring its marquee racing events to audiences across network television and streaming platforms throughout the 2026 racing season.  

The grade 1 winner and 5-year-old gelding by The Big Beast is expected to return to racing next year, according to trainer David Fawkes. Reef Runner has career earnings of nearly $2.2 million.

With no savior in sight for Hawthorne Race Course, the Illinois Racing Board has canceled its July 22 meeting; next steps in track shutdown are up to the bankruptcy judge.

Bernie Flint, a grade 1-winning conditioner with 3,551 victories in Thoroughbred races, died early July 17 at a Louisville, Ky., hospital following a battle with bladder cancer, according to his son, Steve. He was 86.

Greg Goodman has been selected by the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Club of America as the 2026 Honor Guest, club president W. Chapman Hopkins announced July 17.

The 2-year-old gelding is now 2-for-2 for owner Marion Gorham. Book Value was bred and is trained by Robert Gorham, Marion's brother.

Keeneland-based dual classic winner Golden Tempo works 4 furlongs in :48 2/5 July 17 in preparation for his next scheduled start, the Aug. 29 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.