Blood-Horse

On July 8, Mexico reported a new case of New World Screwworm in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz, 370 miles south of the United States-Mexico border, leading to the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry into the United States. 

Although winless in two tries this year, the talented Governor Sam's race record and speed figures make him the horse to beat as he lines up for the $175,000 Quick Call Stakes (G3T) July 13 at Saratoga Race Course.

William Buick hopes Notable Speech's high cruising speed will "give him every chance" when the Godolphin colt drops to six furlongs for the first time in the July 12 July Cup Stakes (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse.

A late pick 3 and late double will be offered this summer at Del Mar with a 15% takeout. The late pick 3 will have a $3 minimum, and the late double will have a $5 minimum.

Recently fined and banned from driving, Jockey Oisin Murphy is to have "incredibly strict" conditions placed on his license, the BHA revealed July 10.

Through the first seven months of the year, there are three horses tied for the first slot on Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. Saudi Cup (G1) hero Forever Young has now been joined by Royal Ascot standouts Field of Gold and Ombudsman.

The Jockey Club announces the speakers for its 73rd Annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, to be held July 31 at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., at 10 a.m. ET.

Keeneland will present the most lucrative stakes schedule for a racing season in track history when it awards $10.85 million for 22 stakes scheduled for the 17-day fall meet from Oct. 3-25.

The Melbourne Cup (G1) will be worth AU$10 million this November, up AU$1.3 million, with the changes primarily designed to reward connections of the runners who finish between 13th and last.

Heading into Fasig-Tipton's The July Sale, industry consensus was that this is a good collection of first-crop yearling stallions. The auction results seemed to support that, as many of those stallions yielded positive results in the ring.

Lane's End stallion and second-crop sire Game Winner will shuttle to Haras Fazenda Mondesir in Brazil for the 2025 and 2026 Southern Hemisphere breeding seasons.

One of the secrets to Far Bridge's recent success is his versatility, which has led him to be favored for the $200,000 Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course July 12.

A Tattersalls July Sale record was set July 9 when the blue-blooded Orchid Bouquet was hammered down at 550,000 guineas. The unraced Juddmonte-bred 3-year-old filly is by Kingman and out of the group 3-winning and group 1-placed Helleborine.

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit has suspended the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory’s probationary Equine Analytical Laboratory accreditation status for a minimum of six months.

Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2) one-two Crimson Advocate and Cinderella's Dream face off in a fascinating rematch after both were declared for the July 11 Falmouth Stakes (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse.

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 222 selected yearlings for the 104th The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale, to be held Aug. 4-5, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Sessions will begin each evening at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The city of Ruidoso, N.M., hammered by wildfires and flash flooding last summer, experienced damaging flooding July 8 after heavy monsoonal rains. The floodwaters impacted homes and businesses, including the racetrack, Ruidoso Downs.

The New York Racing Association announced July 9 the appointment of Katie Keenan as senior vice president and chief experience officer.

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has established the D. Wayne Lukas Award, a $10,000 award to be given annually to a New York-based assistant trainer who demonstrates the qualities of the late Hall of Fame trainer.

Trainer Chad Brown seeks an unprecedented 10th victory in the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1T) when he sends Excellent Truth and Dynamic Pricing to the starting gate at Saratoga Race Course July 12.