Blood-Horse

Maiden Watch: May 29-June 4

NYRA announced June 5 it will feature a series of Secretariat-related fan giveaways and vintage artifacts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's historic 31-length victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes, June 8-10.

The first of six under tack shows began June 5 at Ocala Breeders' Sales for the June 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale, under pleasant conditions. Five juveniles breezed the co-fastest eighth mile in :09 4/5 Monday.

Jevian Toledo and Brittany Russell continued their successful partnership by defending their titles as leading jockey and trainer as the Preakness meet at historic Pimlico Race Course drew to a close June 4.

Selling at Tattersalls Ascot, across the road from a racecourse that will be the focus of world racing in two weeks, returns after a break since March and with plenty to tempt prospective buyers, not least a typically strong draft from Godolphin. 

The final round of serious works for the 155th Belmont Stakes (G1) featured one of the headliners as Preakness Stakes (G1) winner National Treasure turned in a quick five-furlong breeze June 5 over Belmont Park's main track.

Breeder, owner, and trainer William "Billy" Napier died June 1 at Hospice of Butler and Warren Counties with his family by his side at 84.

Horse racing in Singapore, once a rich and powerful mecca for the sport, will come to a shocking and abrupt end in October of 2024 after the Singaporean government announced plans June 5 to reclaim the racecourse land for redevelopment.

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 370 selected yearlings for The July Sale, to be held July 11, at the company's Newtown Paddocks in Lexington. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. ET.

Off at 1-2 in a field of five sophomores, Geaux Rocket Ride was content to sit a reserved third off of both Del Mar Jerry and Hard to Figure, as they slugged it out through fast fractions to the quarter pole.

Ian McMahon's departure marks the coup de grace for riders after heightened tensions over the perceived handling by senior PJA figures of critical issues such as the whip review, valets' pay and the closure of racecourse saunas. 

Making his first start since a fourth in last November's Autumn Stakes (G2), Treason looked in mid-season form after a huge off-the-shelf effort in the June 4 Eclipse Stakes (G2) at Woodbine.

George Krikorian's War Like Goddess will take on grade 1 company for the fifth time in her impressive career when she heads to Belmont Park June 9 for the $600,000 New York Stakes (G1T) going 1 1/4 miles over the turf.

Although Tommy Wente of St. Simon Place has "seller's remorse" over grade 1 winner Rattle N Roll, he believes fate had a different plan for the colt who nearly lost his life as a foal.

The Just a Game Stakes (G1T) is named for one of owner Peter Brant's star runners from four decades ago and he brings things full cycle as owner of two of the likely favorites in the June 9 renewal at Belmont Park.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Siskany took the 12-furlong Godolphin Stakes in September at Newmarket and added the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy at 1 3/4-miles over good Meydan turf to his ledger in February.

Cambus-Kenneth Farm's third-generation homebred Henrietta Topham earned her first win in graded company and gave trainer Geoff Mulcahy his as well June 4 at Churchill Downs in the $222,000 Mint Julep Stakes (G3T).

Ace Impact became the trainer's sixth winner overall—matching the achievements of Pascal Bary and Alain de Royer-Dupre—and his fifth in the last eight years.

For years, the number of equine veterinarians has been declining, creating a shortage of practitioners that the industry is feeling the effects of today.

Songline overcame the outside draw to win the Yasuda Kinen (G1) June 4 at Tokyo Racecourse, her second group 1 win in a row and her second straight victory in the race.